If you’re a regular reader to this little corner of the web, then you know that I don’t usually talk about politics. And I’m not going to start today. But I am going to talk about something that is somewhat controversial just because I’m curious what others think. See, I grew up around guns – my entire life they’ve been in our house. When I was little, my dad collected rifles with long hunting scopes on top. They were kept in a glass case on the wall (they were never loaded of course). My dad was very careful with them and we were used to them being around, so it wasn’t a big deal.
In fact, I remember my dad spending hours in his workshop where he melted down metal and filled it with gunpowder to make his own bullets. He still does that. But now his gun collection has grown substantially. In fact, he has two large safes where he keeps these guns. And he takes them out regularly to practice shooting.
He even takes my brother with him and while they’re doing some male bonding, they’re able to get in some target practice too. Sort-of a two-for-one thing.
My exposure to guns doesn’t stop there though. After my parents divorced years ago, my mother married a deputy sheriff, one who keeps a gun with him most of the time. I remember about ten years ago when I was home for a visit. His gun was lying on the bed in its holster as he was getting ready for work. I picked it up and he said, Be careful, it’s loaded. I remember that I was suddenly scared thinking of the powerful weapon that I held in my hand.
It was a strange feeling because I’m not normally nervous around guns. In fact, I’ve been shooting myself. And I was good at it too.
It’s been a few years since I’ve done it, but I didn’t have a problem with it. I’ve been taught that as long as you are respectful of the weapons and handle them with caution and safety, there won’t be an issue.
The real issue for me is deciding what role I want guns to play in my life going forward. When my brother got married, my dad asked if he wanted a gun. His new wife said no, absolutely not, and they moved on. My other brother got married last year and what does he now have in his house (a gift from my dad of course)? You guessed it – a shiny new pistol. When I was living on my own about six years ago, I had a rough night where I thought someone was breaking into my house. I called the police who investigated but didn’t find anything. I was still pretty shaken up though, it was a scary experience. When I told my dad what happened, the first thing he asked was, Do you want me to send you something? Something small and lightly recoiling perhaps? I declined his generous offer.
But it got me thinking – where do I stand on the whole issue? I’m not talking about the right for people to own certain kinds of guns, that’s a little too political for me to get into here. I’m talking about whether the CPA and I should have guns in our home. I often think that if I had safety lessons and truly felt comfortable handling one, I would do it. But then I think about having children in the house and my stomach clenches in a knot. I know firsthand what guns can do when children get hold of them. I have seen the devastation it caused the family of a childhood friend who’s 10-year old son accidentally shot himself while playing with a loaded gun. I know all too well of the dangers. On the other hand, I want to feel protected in my own home. Living close to a city that, for years, has had the reputation of being one of the most dangerous in the nation, I am very conscience of the need to feel safe.
Thankfully, we don’t have to make the decision today. But at some point, the topic will be raised again. And then we’ll need to have an answer.
What would your answer be?
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