Common Ground

Where I grew up, the cycle of the year was ticked off by the seasons. Opening day of trout season. Time to plant the garden. Time to pick strawberries. Then blueberries. Then the blackberries which grew wild in our backyard. Crappie fishing.  Time to dig up the garden. Time to freeze and dry and can. Bow season. Rifle season. Turkey and deer. Ducks. Pheasants. This was the way many families put food on the table. This was the way my family often put food on the table. This is what I would prefer to put on my table, if only I had the time.

I grew up around guns. I took gun safety and hunter’s education classes. I shot guns. I enjoy eating the product of a rifle or a shotgun. In fact, if I remember correctly, while I was in high school, you could even bring your rifle to the school parking lot (for some before- or after-school hunting) as long as it was visibly in a gun rack in the back window.

I’m certain that’s changed by now; I went to high school before Columbine. Nevertheless, guns were not an issue.

And then they were. And I still believed in the second amendment. I understand that most liberals do not support the second amendment. I remained silent about my beliefs, because I also understand the right to NOT arm one’s self.

And you do have the right to not arm yourself. I cannot judge you for that choice; I don’t want to judge you for that choice. When J and I had sons, we made the conscious decision to not have guns in the house during their childhood. Our children are precocious, and I take no chances with my children. I understand those who want to take no chances with their children, too.

We have this in common.

You see, there are some things I agree with, when it comes to those who would prefer to outright ban firearms. I don’t just see differences. I see the similarities.

People get their hands on guns way too easy these days. People get their hands on semi-automatic assault rifles WAY too easy. I want assault rifles re-banned. I want extended clips banned. I want the gun show loophole banned. I want hollow point ammunition banned. I want it to be impossible for private parties to sell their guns to other private parties without the transfer of registration—like you have to do with a car—and a background check. I do not mind waiting for five days, a week, ten days, etc. I don’t like conceal and carry licenses, because I think it’s way too easy to get one.

And while I’ve—for the most part—kept my mouth shut on this topic until last week, now I HAVE to speak up. You have to know that I exist. That others, like me, exist.

Because the NRA does not represent me.

Because the NRA does not represent the majority of gun owners. Most gun owners I know don’t think people should be able to buy an assault rifle on the internet. At a Wal-Mart. At all, even.

Because I do not believe in a database tracking those who’ve expressed concerns over their mental health.

Because there are 24 legislators who are trying to pass a bill in my state that would allow teachers and administrators to conceal and carry in MY CHILDREN’S SCHOOLS. I don’t mind resource officers and off-duty or retired police officers being present during school starts, lunches, and dismissals. I’m willing to talk about that; hell, that’s been a common practice in our secondary schools for quite some time now. But, I don’t want armed volunteers—people I do not know, people who may not be adequately trained—around my children, with or without me being present. I want to tell you why I think that’s a bad idea.

Because I think the issue here is a complex one, including multiple areas of discussion—especially adequate mental health services-- but while we need to get that under control, we still need some limits on weapons someone can buy. The NRA talks about a slippery slope, and I see a half-pipe. Ban assault rifles and we might ban everything? Have you ever considered the other way around? Have you ever considered if you would feel comfortable with your neighbor having a tank? Grenades? A missile launcher?

I am in the Common Ground. I am waiting for everyone else to join me for civil, rational discussion.

I am the upstanding citizen who does not believe in the repeal of the Second Amendment, but wants to compromise with those who may. Who wants to legitimately listen to THEIR SIDE of things. Who wants to be heard over the voices of the vocal minorities, like the NRA.

I am the voice that says—everyone in this country deserves to feel safer than they do now. Every child in this nation deserves to go to school in a safe, innocent place. Individuals currently have the right to demonstrate their responsible gun ownership, but that doesn’t have to be with military-grade weapons, and they don’t have to, if they don’t want to. How can we make this happen for the most people possible? What should responsible gun ownership look like?

I am in the Common Ground, and I am waiting for you to join me for discussion in the Common Ground.