Gun Reform
This last school shooting hit home, with my own daughter on her last days of 1st grade. For about five solid days I was dumbfounded. How could nothing have changed since Sandy Hook? Why again? Why do we sell guns to people under 21? Why are there over 400 million guns in circulation in the USA? Why can’t we at least agree on red flag laws? How can all of my pro-life friends be the ones holding up gun reform?
And then, I faded. I couldn’t hold on to it. More life happened and I didn’t have time or bandwidth to hold on to the grief and indignation. Compassion fatigue is real—just google it. I honestly don’t know enough about gun issues to hold a good conversation about it. I wish I knew more, but honestly, I can’t hold it all. Gun discussions and time consuming thoughts about them goes in a pile of important things I am consciously not going to hold in my arms. My arms are too full.
What is in my arms? My important relationships: God, my family, close friends. Being there for them and whatever that requires. Working on loving God and loving others—the big goal. The little squishy space I have left goes to Brazil and missions. Every once in awhile little windows open up and I pick up things that mean a lot to me, like the theology of the image of God and how that is practically applied in my family in our culture and history through race issues. Guns (and all that goes with it) are not on the list.
But I do care enough about the discussion to be able to point you in a direction that might help. I took time to listen to some podcasts about gun issues. If you honestly want to know what I think, I pretty much agree with Skye Jethani in what he says in these podcasts.
Debating Gun Control: I really loved this podcast that had one person very strongly pro-guns, and one that strongly wanted to limit guns. I loved how they both respected each other the whole conversation and could still disagree: what a great example to us all! I think they both brought up some really, really good points. And while I definitely agree with one of them and disagree with the other: I was better off for listening to both sides.
Christian Self-Defense: This is just the first half of the podcast, bringing up a really important point: what is the Biblical stance on the idea of “I have a second amendment right to defend myself.” What does the Bible actually say? SUPER important to think about!! I was raised to understand that as a Christian, I yield all of my rights to Christ. Interesting to see so many who taught me that willing to die on the hill of their rights not being infringed upon.
Guns Again: My favs were the first two, but this one brings up some good points as well, and includes some really good resources that other people wrote: “What Supporters of Gun Rights Mean When They Talk About ‘Evil’” by Esau McCalley. The second half of the podcast is with the Bible Project guys—not about guns, but really a beautiful thing to listen to.
Honestly, I just really want them to pass some kind of legislation. It makes me hope that something might actually be done in a situation where it seems like nothing will ever change. I keep holding my breath when the news mentions something might be passed. It is sad to say that I don’t even care (enough) WHAT they pass anymore…just do something.