At this point, the so-called “national conversation” has deteriorated
to one Zax saying, “Guns are not the problem” and another Zax saying, “Oh yes
they are.” (More on Zaxes.)
With all the respect that is due, may we please move on?
Clichés are rarely helpful. So, let’s just agree that 1) No,
not all kinds of gun are “the problem,” but some are obviously "a problem," and 2) yes, obviously
a gun safely unloaded and locked away won’t kill people, but a person getting
it, loading it, pointing it at someone and pulling the trigger might. Okay, so
let’s now declare this conversation a “cliché-free zone,” agreed?
Next, my full disclosure that I do not now, nor have I ever
owned a gun, much less fired one. All I know about guns I know because of friends
who own and use them. One of those friends is Fred Koenig, who has this very helpful perspective to share. Though obviously not a friend, Kathleen Parker’s column of January 11 was also very helpful.
I ran across another helpful piece of information in the
Washington Post. Grant Duwe of the Minnesota Department of Corrections has
researched mass shootings in the United States, defining a mass shooting as “an
incident in which four or more victims are killed publicly with guns within 24
hours.” Part of his work included a list, broken down by decades, of mass
shootings in the United States:
1900s : zero
1910s: 2
1920s: 2
1930s: 9
1940s: 8
1950s: 1
1960s: 6
1970s: 13
1980s: 32
1990s: 42
2000s: 28
2010s (three years): 14
All of us, expert and non-expert alike, will form opinions
about why there is a spike in these incidents in the last third of the
twentieth century. Personally, I believe it comes from a broad desensitization to violence. As weapons technology became more and more
destructive and weapons became more and more widely available, attitudes toward
violence became less and less horrified and more and more glorified. And furthermore,
while I do not believe that our government can completely legislate away gun
violence, I see no reason not to try. I value human life more than property
rights.
However I have not invested myself as others have in the
matters of earthly government. There are those who become irrationally
energized over these matters, and it leads to very unhealthy places. I don’t
even feel compelled to respond; it’s just not worth it. There is a more
excellent way.
Whereas the world is anxious for certainty in uncertain
times, God’s people are called to faith. For people of the world, there are a
myriad of answers that may or may not lead to certainty. More guns, less guns, security officers, armed janitors, better healthcare for the mentally ill, fewer violent video games … and so it goes.
Each of us is entitled to have and share an opinion about our earthly responses
to the issues that confront us.
For people of God there is one answer - more love.
It is simple, yet extraordinary. The answer is more love. I’m
not talking about a sugary sweet feeling; I’m talking about agape - divine love.
This is a love that recognizes the sacred worth of all God’s
creation.
This is a love of which there is no greater, the love that
lays down one’s life for another.
This is a love that refuses to allow a single Who down in
Whoville to perish.
This is a love with fortitude, a courageous love that shouts
down injustice and oppression.
This is an active, vibrant, powerful love that knows no
strangers, no outcasts, no enemies.
This is a love that does not conform to this world, that overcomes
evil with good, that turns the other cheek every time, that gives without
expecting anything in return, that does justice, loves kindness, and walks
humbly with God … this is the love that will fix everything.
And finally, it is a love that cannot be legislated, it
cannot be demanded or required - it must be freely given. We must choose to
love. We already know the answer; it is love. It is not certainty - it is
faith. So simple; so extraordinary; so elusive.
We must choose love.
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