by Michele Kirk
BIZPAC REVIEW
The national debate about gun control is becoming frightening to watch as it unfolds every day in the news. Both sides are beyond passionate on the issue and it is hard to see a “compromise” in the future because there really is no compromise to be had. Either the Second Amendment trumps the inevitable mass shootings by the mentally unstable, or it does not.
A recent letter written respectfully to Dianne Feinstein by former Marine Joshua Boston quickly became 2013′s viral phenomenon as it spread like wildfire over internet and media venues. Boston expressed what many Americans wanted to say about gun control, simply and from his heart, without a lot of political hype. He has since been interviewed on Fox News and other media outlets.
In a similar submission to CNN’s iReport by evanderwerff (user name) , a father from Post Falls, Idaho touched on a universal sentiment felt by parents, particularly Dads, that explained to lawmakers why politics has nothing to do with the debate. He asked, “how can you say that I don’t have the right to use the same equipment that our elected officials use to protect themselves?”
The posting, headlined These guns protect my children, described a universal sentiment among men with children, and it struck a chord with those who read it.
These are my children. My daughter is 6 and my son is 4. Those of you who have small kids know how fantastic it is to watch them learn and grow every single day. You also know how much you want to protect your little ones from harm. I protect them from choking, drowning, running in front of traffic, sharp objects, and the list goes on. I also protect them from anyone who would do them harm. There has been violence and killing since the beginning of time. World peace sounds like a great idea but let’s face reality – we are NEVER going to rid the world of violence. All we can do is try to mitigate it’s effect on us.
These are the guns that protect my family. My rifle holds 30 rounds. My pistol holds 13 rounds. I carry an extra 30 round magazine in my car just in case I ever have to give ammo to a police officer who may have run out. I am a concealed pistol license holder, I am an avid hunter and fisherman and I DO NOT own these weapons to hunt or fish with. I own them to protect my precious, innocent little ones. The 2nd amendment doesn’t have a “sporting” or “target shooter” clause. The 2nd amendment was written to allow me – a free American Citizen – the right to choose what “arms” I choose to bear.
Senator Feinstein, Mayor Bloomberg, Congresswoman Pelosi, Vice President Biden, WHAT GUNS protect you?? Please share with us, I don’t think it is a national security breach to share what equipment your protectors use to keep you safe every day. Is your safety more important than my little ones? Are your lives worth more? Please state this for the record for everyone to know that the life and safety of a public figure is more valuable than the lives and safety of everyday American children.
These are the tools that I choose to protect my household with. What gives you the right to decide what equipment I use to do this? If your protectors carry guns with less than 10 rounds, then I will gladly follow your example. If you feel that your security and safety would be well served with small capacity handguns and rifles, then please share this with the country so we can follow your personal lead in this matter.
You are elected SERVANTS of the public, not reigning royalty. “I am not your subject,” wrote Joshua Boston in a recent iReport letter that has received a ton of publicity. You aren’t the lords and we are not your vassals.
I hope more Dads speak up with me. We are the protectors of not only our families, but our communities also. I’m fed up with the same old emotional response to a tragedy, “Ban them all,” you cry. But HOW and WHY are you able to do this when right outside your door are armed guards keeping you safe with the EXACT same equipment that I use to keep mine safe?
I’m not a professional writer, save your negative comments on my grammar or punctuation. How can you say that I don’t have the right to use the same equipment that our elected officials use to protect themselves?
Source: BIZPAC REVIEW
