I agree with those who say if we enact tougher gun laws it will have no effect. It probably wouldn't even make a dent, because there are already millions of guns out there. But I have to wonder if we had done SOMETHING different 20 years ago; 100 years ago; 200 years ago; would America be the same violent place it seems to be today?
I also agree with those who say that guns themselves are not the problem (even though guns have but one purpose - to kill). They say that people are the problem - and then list all the reasons why people are so messed up from lack of parenting, to mental illness, to Hollywood hypocrisy, to violent video games and on and on.
I don't know how to fix people. I can't even fix myself. To paraphrase many a pastor; each of whom I deeply respect, "that's not my job". My job is to point people to Jesus and let them work out their stuff with Him. Only God can change people's hearts.
Nope. I can't fix people. I certainly don't think a government agency tasked with fixing mental health issues can either when as part of their "treatment" they won't even be allowed to mention God let alone point to a personal relationship with Him.
Until messed up people somehow have a life changing experience with God, we must do SOMETHING. Yes, let's live out our faith with genuine compassion and concern for messed up people. We; you and me are those messed up people. But let's also make it tougher for messed up people to act out their messed-up hearts with the most deadly and violent weapon within their grasp. A weapon with NO OTHER purpose other than to kill and maim. Guns kill because that's what they were invented for.
If you say that the only answer is to put MORE guns in MORE hands in MORE places, fine. Let's do it. There. I said it. I mean it. Let's get it done tomorrow.
But if that DOESN'T help after 20, 100, or 200 years, will gun advocates THEN finally consider that maybe; just MAYBE - guns are NOT the answer to guns? Do you really want to live with Columbines, Aurora Theaters, Sandy Hooks, Mandalay Bays, Virginia Techs, Sutherland Springs and Parklands for another 200 years?
I don't.
Until messed up people somehow have a life changing experience with God, we must do SOMETHING. Yes, let's live out our faith with genuine compassion and concern for messed up people. We; you and me are those messed up people. But let's also make it tougher for messed up people to act out their messed-up hearts with the most deadly and violent weapon within their grasp. A weapon with NO OTHER purpose other than to kill and maim. Guns kill because that's what they were invented for.
If you say that the only answer is to put MORE guns in MORE hands in MORE places, fine. Let's do it. There. I said it. I mean it. Let's get it done tomorrow.
But if that DOESN'T help after 20, 100, or 200 years, will gun advocates THEN finally consider that maybe; just MAYBE - guns are NOT the answer to guns? Do you really want to live with Columbines, Aurora Theaters, Sandy Hooks, Mandalay Bays, Virginia Techs, Sutherland Springs and Parklands for another 200 years?
I don't.
