BOTH/AND

In the aftermath of yet another tragedy involving guns there is renewed discussion around BOTH gun owner rights, implementation and enforcement of sensible gun control legislation; AND the desperate need to address the growing need to fund mental health access and social services. It MUST be a BOTH/AND discussion. It cannot be an either/or discussion. To be successful it will require bipartisan support of policy, change, AND funding…

Thoughts and prayers aren’t solving the problem…they have NEVER solved the problem. We need action. We need someone (a bunch of someone’s) to have the cahones to stand up to the big money PACs. We need our elected officials to do their jobs, bring issues to vote and not bury them in unrelated pet projects. We need to break the filibuster…make them play nice. Will it be a game of tug-o-war initially? Absolutely…but that’s better than nothing happening at all!

First some background:

Lest you not jump to the conclusion that I want to start banging on doors and collecting everyone’s guns. On the contrary. I was raised in two very different households, both of which had…and still do have…guns. I was taught that gun control meant “using both hands,” not taking away guns. I was also taught that you never point a gun towards something you don’t intend to kill, EVER. That being said, I have never had the desire to own or fire a firearm of my own.

Perhaps my lack of interest is rooted in being taught not to point a gun at something I didn’t intend to kill. Perhaps it is in my lack of desire to kill my own food. Perhaps it is that I have enough self awareness to know, in my soul, that I could never point a gun at a person, regardless of the level of threat they were to myself or my loved ones. Family members have suggested that I should “learn…just in case,” but MY reality is I know that in a time of threat, that very weapon would likely be used against me when I froze.

But my lack of interest should not be misconstrued as a lack of appreciation. My father is an avid firearm enthusiast and historian. I grew up watching him handle guns (in the building and cleaning aspects…never in the shooting aspect). I would sit with him for hours as he meticulously disassembled, cleaned and repaired antique firearms…tangible objects that provided a lingering connection to his own father; a decorated WWII veteran and member of the elite “Devils Brigade.”

Are there, and have there been, guns in my household? Absolutely! My lack of interest or desire in owning/firing a gun does not/should not restrict my husband and my sons (and my daughters should they be so inclined) from owning/enjoying them responsibly.

My oldest son is an outdoorsman; has been since the day could walk. It is an interest that was fostered in him by his father (my first husband) and his grandfather. He went to his first hunting camp as soon as he was out of diapers…because no one wants to deal with diapers in hunting camp! He learned to respect the tools. He went through gun safety classes. He was taken to the gun range where he learned how to use the tools, and to see first hand the damage that could be done with said tools. He witnessed the end of life for animals that had been shot…but also knew that the intent was to “eat what you shoot.”

My youngest son is NOT an outdoorsman. He has NO INTEREST in hunting. He does, however, appreciate learning how to handle firearms and some of their history, as part of quality time spent with his father…my husband, and his grandfather…my father. My father, who has supported all of my children in their academic and athletic pursuits. My father, who has exemplified perseverance, integrity, and responsibility. I will absolutely support this man who taught me so much about being a good human, in sharing his love and appreciation for firearms with my son.

My husband has never been a hunter…but he too appreciates the history and evolution of firearms. Spending time with my father, learning the history behind different firearms, appreciating the workmanship, and understanding their power. My husband who, along with my sons, will likely be the benefactor of my father’s firearm collection someday.

Would I be the first person to defend their right to own firearms, and partake in the shared experiences they have had? You can bet on my last breath I would. However, they are all mentally and emotionally stable, law abiding citizens. Not a single one of them would be harmed by sensible gun laws.

What is a sensible gun law? I think that is the biggest debate. Where do we draw the line between public safety and personal rights? How do both sides strike a compromise?

First, we must make the issue non-partisan. Human rights, and public safety policy should NEVER be a partisan discussion. The amount of money raised by PACs and donated in support of “us vs. them” politics is disgusting…on both sides. Next, we need to all agree that the 2nd amendment was added to the constitution, a living document, in 1791…when the ”right to bear arms” meant black powder, packing wads, and a ram rod…one shot at a time. Since then, society and technology…across all spectrums, not just firearms, has changed significantly. We can update this living document to reflect that things have changed. (Remember, prohibition was a result of the 18th amendment, and it was repealed with the 21st amendment.)

Then, let’s initiate conversation about implementing legislation that is actually enforceable…and fund the programs that are tasked with enforcement!

Sensible Firearm Laws:

Want to buy/own a gun?
Are you able to legally sign legally binding documents, vote, and drink? If the answer is no, you probably aren’t ready to buy/own a gun. There are physiological and cognitive changes in the brain that happen along the age spectrum. Too young and your aren’t physiologically or cognitively mature enough to critically think through and commit to the implications of responsible gun ownership (think impulsive teenager). Too old and you may be on the other end of the cognitive spectrum (think delayed reaction time, impaired cognitive processing, or physiological limitations). I know, this begs a couple of questions… What about my son? He doesn’t own guns. He has supervised access to guns that eventually become his, but they are currently either my husbands, or my fathers…both of whom have legal responsibility for the firearms. What about the elderly? Will their firearms be taken with cognitive decline, or physiological decline? Should they be? It’s a question.

Are you willing to show ID and undergo background checks to obtain a firearm? I have to show my ID to purchase cold medicine, it isn’t out of line to expect it for firearms!

Are you willing to have a delay between purchase of a firearm and taking possession of said firearm? If not, why not? What is the urgency?

Do you have any history of mental illness? Would your health care provider, or counselor sign off on you having a firearm? Please understand this isn’t personal, but mental illness and firearms are just not a good mix.

Do you have a history of crimes against people? This includes protection orders, domestic, partner, or child abuse. Again, if you have shown a propensity of violence against persons…maybe firearms aren’t a great choice for you.

Have you received training in how to handle firearms responsibly and the long term implications of irresponsible handling?

Are you prepared to store your firearms in such a manner that they are inaccessible to those who don’t meet the criteria above, and be liable for any damages your firearms cause if they get into the hands of the wrong people? (Child, mentally ill, or criminal)

Ok, so you “check yes” to all the above, and you are now a “responsible gun owner.” Knowing the “conditions” of your “right to bear arms,” what happens if your circumstances change? Are you willing to concede your firearms? What happens if your firearms are “stolen” or accessed inappropriately? Are you prepared to take liability? Under what circumstances should you be allowed to “break the rules” or avoid liability?

And now the BOTH/AND part…

I think all agree that we have a mental health crisis. What are willing to do to address it? Are we willing to set our theological, political, and racial differences aside to begin addressing some of the hurt associated with marginalized people? Are we willing to invest in providing services to under-resourced populations to get them the mental health and social services they need?

Can we get beyond this notion that Critical Race Theory is out to “erase” history, but instead is wanting to look objectively at how events and practices in OUR history, have directly impacted the lives of members of our communities? Can we accept that acknowledging and accepting the differences among us is less hurtful than denying that differences exist? Can we agree that children have the right to grow into their own personhood, and not a version predetermined by the adults around them?

After reading the paragraph above, can we agree that the fight in our schools about what can and can’t be taught, about what words can and can’t be used, can cause significant emotional and mental distress in children that manifests as undesirable behaviors; then when unaddressed can manifest into mental illness in teenagers and adults?

Can we agree that the underfunding of mental health programs to support school aged children results in unresolved issues that manifest in mental illness and criminal activities in adulthood?

Can we agree that the number of children and adults in need of mental health services FAR outweighs the number of available resources?

Can we agree that insurances severely restrict mental health benefits?

Can we agree that those who suffer from mental illness are more likely to struggle with gainful employment?

Can we agree that those who struggle to stay gainfully employed are less likely to seek mental health services that they can’t afford to pay for?

Can we agree that those struggling with mental illness, who can’t sustain employment, are more likely to turn to illegal drug use, and criminal activity to meet their basic needs?

Can we agree that an individuals inability to meet even the most basic of human needs… (as defined by Maslow), greatly increases their reliance on social service safety nets? Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Can we agree that local, regional, state, and federal social service safety nets are grossly underfunded?

Can we see the cascade of circumstances that impact those who are struggling with feeling marginalized, like they don’t belong, or struggling with mental illness, can lead to a feeling of hopelessness and apathy towards “the law?”

Can we see how the intersection of lax or unenforceable (due to funding or logistics) gun laws, lack of mental health resources, and lack of funding for social services have created a trifecta of dysfunction that is fueling these tragedies?

Can we agree that it is through the normalization of human rights for ALL that we can make the idea of “marginalized citizens” a thing of the past?

Can we agree that this a BOTH/AND discussion, and that we need to be looking at ways to come together, and not holding tight to dividing principals (whether that is political, theological, racial or other) is a detriment to the progress of this discussion?

Now…what are YOU willing to agree and commit to?