Heidi Stevens, a Chicago Tribune Columnist (among other things) had this to say on Facebook about last week’s Rittenhouse verdict: “This country keeps finding new and endless ways to break your heart.”
Ain’t it the sad truth. I have nothing to say about that matter that hasn’t been written. Like everything in today’s United States, the verdict and Rittenhouse’s actions are starkly polarizing.
I don’t have anything against responsible gun owners, or responsible gun ownership. But a dumbshit, barely pubescent kid shouldn’t be able to even pick up an assault weapon, let alone parade around an inflamed situation with one. That he could do so is symbolic of how ridiculously stupid this country has gotten about firearms.
This has all happened in my lifetime—it wasn’t always this way. I still have hope that we can get back to sanity, largely because of sentiments expressed by a couple of lifelong gun enthusiasts who feel like I do about America’s gun insanity, and who are trying to do something about it.
One is a Montana resident named Ryan Busse. He’s written a book called “Gunfight, My Battle Against the Industry that Radicalized America.” Full disclosure: I haven’t read it yet but I intend to after hearing him interviewed on today’s edition of “Fresh Air.”
In truth, Busse had me at the title. Because the current state of non-regulation does represent the victory of a radicalized minority.
Busse grew up loving guns, and that led him to become a very successful executive at a firearms manufacturer. He was present when things went haywire. When the NRA morphed into a hate and fear vendor, and funder of campaigns. It wasn’t always thus.
Anyway, whether or not you read the book, I urge you—however you feel about the 2nd Amendment and guns in general—to listen to the interview.
I also recommend visiting the Gun Owners for Responsible Ownership website. From the Who we Are section at the site:
We are gun owners, outdoor enthusiasts, and veterans who seek reasonable and responsible solutions to preventing gun violence.
We envision an America where all are safe from gun violence, and where responsible gun owners take the lead to promote safe gun ownership and sensible laws and regulations.
Our commitment to change arose from the December 2012 shooting at the Clackamas Town Center in suburban Portland, Oregon. Two people were killed and a third wounded. All were strangers to the shooter, but to us they were family, friends, and neighbors.
We believe our Second Amendment rights come with responsibilities. We also believe in common-sense efforts to reduce gun violence and promote gun safety across the country, including background checks on all gun sales, and safe and secure storage of firearms to prevent access by children or any unauthorized individuals.
The site is chockfull of solid data and information about advocacy. There are tons of seemingly smallish measures that are doable, and have been proven to make a difference.
God knows we need something different than we have.
I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t know all the “ins and outs” of the law and the specifics of this case. What I do know is that if a young 17 year-old black youth showed up with an assault rifle after crossing state lines and walked up to the police to volunteer his support, the response would have been much different.
Thank you…
I weep and I rage at every death from guns. It seems endless. I definitely shall read this book.
Thank you.
As always, you are a voice of reason in an unreasonable world. Happy Thanksgiving, Beth!
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