Can we talk honestly about guns???

[calimary]

37. If it were up to me, I'd just get rid of ALL the guns. Period.

And I know, I know, the precious 2nd amendment and all that.

And I’ve offered a compromise, on the assumption that I had any power or authority on the subject (which in reality I don’t). Here’s the deal: I let you have all the guns, in all the sizes and styles, and all the ammo. Now, in exchange, can I get my two friends back?

They were kind, empathetic, smart, peace-loving, mature and well-educated, with terrific senses of humor and wisdom, and everything you’d want and hope for in a friend. They were both friends with the local cops, and one of them even worked with law enforcement to help understand the criminal mind thanks to her studied specialty.

But one day, they got into an argument. There happened to be a gun in the house (for protection, of course). The argument escalated and one of them grabbed the gun and blew the other one away, and then turned the gun on herself and blew herself away.

Truth. That was years ago. I still miss them both. And I have heard all the arguments for guns and freedom and self-protection and privacy and choice. Heard ‘em all. But not one of them changed or changes anything for me. I STILL want my two friends back, even while knowing that will never be possible, ever.

Because there was a gun within easy reach of those who knew and fully understood better - at the worst possible time.