Guns? Really?

I know a lot of people who own guns. . .of all sorts. I have a friend (he works with the Arkansas Highway Patrol) who owns an automatic rifle. He let me shoot it once offering me $100 if I could squeeze off just one shot. Nope! Three was the shortest burst. Everyone else I know has semi-automatics, bolt actions, lever actions, pumps, revolvers, single shots, single and double barrel derringers, etc. I don’t know anyone (I have talked to one or two in prison), other than a couple of Police officers, who has ever shot anyone. I have never been afraid of any of their guns. The seem to me to be inanimate objects, and certainly not dangerous, unless they are in someone’s hands. Hence, I have learned over a lifetime to have no fear of firearms, but plenty of fear when it comes to some people – some known to me, some not.

We can spend a lot of time, effort, money, political capital, and good will trying to ban guns. It won’t solve many, if any, of the problems. The problems include our society, our institutions of learning, families (especially “broken families”), and a Government out from under the control of the people it was created to serve, defend and protect. And that is only the “tip of the iceberg.”

Weapons are not the heart of mankind’s problem. Mankind’s problem is the heart (read: innermost being). Obviously we are not going to address that issue as a Nation, a Society, or as wise people. So be careful out there. It’s not going to get better before it gets worse.

Wisdom calls out in the street;
she raises her voice in the public squares.
She cries out above the commotion;
she speaks at the entrance of the city gates:
“How long, foolish ones, will you love ignorance?
How long will you mockers enjoy mocking
and you fools hate knowledge?
If you respond to my warning,
then I will pour out my spirit on you
and teach you my words.
Since I called out and you refused,
extended my hand and no one paid attention,
since you neglected all my counsel
and did not accept my correction,
I, in turn, will laugh at your calamity.
I will mock when terror strikes you,
when terror strikes you like a storm
and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
when trouble and stress overcome you.
Then they will call me, but I won’t answer;
they will search for me, but won’t find me.
Because they hated knowledge,
didn’t choose to fear the Lord,
were not interested in my counsel,
and rejected all my correction,
they will eat the fruit of their way
and be glutted with their own schemes.
For the turning away of the inexperienced will kill them,
and the complacency of fools will destroy them. (Proverbs 1:20ff)