Opening a Can of Worms

I was thinking just this morning that I was getting so frustrated with all of the political rhetoric on Facebook and that I should probably take a step back.  I can take it when someone disagrees with me.  I really can.  What I can’t take is the plethora of misinformation formatted as propaganda.  I often see posts that look questionable, and rather than rushing to click “share,” I do a quick search and find out that something has been twisted to fit an agenda.  Sometimes, it’s so obviously a doctored photograph, that I can’t believe someone would actually believe it.  Other times, I can tell it’s a real picture, but the story doesn’t add up.  For the love (sorry to steal your phrase, Jenn Hatmaker, but it just fits).  Don’t share something until you check it out.  Too many people believe whatever they see on Facebook and it’s a dangerous practice.

Now, to the can of worms.  I’ve been mulling over the latest school shooting and the reactions of so many people I love and respect.  What I am about to say is likely not going to be received favorably from many near and dear to me, but I just have to say it.  I have such a hard time with the pro-gun lobby getting so touchy about their guns when people are reeling over the massacre of children and respected educators.  Before I get barraged with the comments I so often hear, such as criminals will get the guns no matter what, more laws won’t change anything, and people kill people, I just want to help you understand how that sounds to someone grieving the loss of a loved one to gun violence.

A story:  my son was born with a peanut allergy.  I became an advocate for people with food allergies since living with the daily fear of him even being near a peanut turned my world inside out.  There was a webpage that a group of lawmakers put together to float the idea of flights without peanuts.  Either airlines would offer “peanut free” flights, or the airline industry changed the snacks they were distributing to something less associated with a very popular allergy.  The lawmakers wanted to get the input of the traveling public to see what steps, if any, should be taken.  I commented that as a mother of a child with a peanut allergy, I’d like to see some peanut-free options offered to those affected.  I received hate mail like you wouldn’t believe.  Things like “no one should mess with my snack food” and “then don’t fly if your kid can’t handle it.”  The air was sucked out of me.  I responded saying, “I’m floored to think that someone would accept the death of my child, or any other child, due to a snack food.”

That’s how it sounds to so many affected by these acts of violence.  No one is saying all guns should be illegal, so why fight so vigorously for guns that no human except the military and law enforcement should possess?  Keep your handguns and hunting rifles.  If you are a responsible, law-abiding citizen, you have nothing to fear.  But don’t make the lives of those people mowed down by an assault rifle seem like an inconvenience to you or your hobby. (Yes, I know that handguns are mostly used for protection.  I’m talking about using assault rifles.)

I respect the opinions of everyone, but if you feel the need to be nasty, don’t respond.  The venom being spewed about guns lessens the value of those human lives even further.

These are just the thoughts that have been bouncing around in my head.  That’s what blogs are for, right?  Don’t be a hater.  I love people.  Even those I don’t understand.