2nd Amendment

Dear Friends, I have just got to say something...  I don't want to write this on Facebook because I don't want to start a fight with someone and I fear many of my friends and relatives on the other side of the aisle wouldn't read my words and consider the validity of my point.  I think it would devolve into the mud slinging that has consumed this election and will, I fear, continue until November. 

A woman I used to go to church with, a woman I love as if she were my mother, shared something on facebook this morning.  I removed it from my feed because I didn't want the negativity and I didn't want to get pulled into the drama, which I knew could have easily happened if I made even one simple comment.  The post talked about the Supreme Court and how up to 5 spots could become available in the next 4-8 years.  It went on to say that Hillary could skew the Supreme Court 7-2.  The article also said that Hillary has already said she'll use the Supreme Court to go after the 2nd Amendment.

For those of you who don't know, I am a Democrat.  *Cue the exit music as 75% of my readers stop reading here*  If you're friends with me on Facebook you may not be terribly surprised by that statement, though I have tried to keep out of politics there so show love and respect to my conservative friends and family, and because I don't want to get into a shouting match with the people I love.  Fortunately for me, my family hasn't disowned me yet.  Although I've had several give me more than their fair share of their opinions.  I caucused for Bernie Sanders and I am not ashamed in the slightest to admit that.  I don't like Hillary as well, but I will vote for her.  There, I said it!  Get out the tar and feathers!  (I live in Kansas.  This is NOT a popular opinion to have.)

Last night as I was watching the DNC, I listened to Hillary give a speech.  The reporters at the end said it was just mediocre and that there wasn't anything truly original or quote worthy.  However, I disagree.  I thought there was a quote that stood out, and it was about the 2nd Amendment.  However, I also disagree with Hillary on the statement she made.  She said, "I don't want to take your guns away.  I just want to make sure you aren't killed by someone who shouldn't have guns in the first place."  Well, Hillary, I tend to think more left of you on this issue, because I think you SHOULD take all the guns away!

I know there are many people who say that good guys with guns keep bad guys with guns from doing bad things, but I just don't believe that.  I know that people hunt, and frankly, as crunchy and granola as it sounds, I would be fine getting rid of that too (and would love to see the look on the NRA's faces if it ever happened).  But, to be fair I know that won't happen, and it's not fair to those sportsmen (I wonder if they consider what's fair and right for the rest of the country?), so I will concede to a ban on Assault Rifles (since I'm proposing legislation and all).

The day that the shooting at Sandy Hook happened, I sobbed as I watched TV and folded laundry.  It was one of those, you'll always remember where you were kind of moments for me.  I hugged and squeezed Avery who was just an infant at the time.  I cried and hurt for the families of those sweet children, mowed down in their classrooms.  It was a horrible day.  My heart was heavy.  Then, later, I found out, Congress did nothing to restrict access to guns or change what guns were legal to obtain.  It feels like such a travesty.

I love you all.  I care about your opinions.  I posted this here because I wanted to share my opinions and be respectful to others who don't want to hear them.  My opinions don't amount to much, but I intend to vote for the person who holds similar opinions to mine.  Hillary wants to reform gun laws and I support that.  My own brother-in-law has assault rifles, but I still support banning them.  You can have fun and use your guns recreationally without having access to the kinds of guns that can mow people down in a classroom, a movie theater, a shopping mall, or a nightclub.  That is simply unacceptable. 

So there it is.  My two cents.  The Democrats aren't trying to take your guns.  I am.  And I agree with Hillary when she said, "I just want to make sure you aren't killed by someone who shouldn't have guns in the first place."