Today is a little different. I have something on my mind that has been building up for quite awhile. Recent events and conversations here in Kentucky-Land continues to fuel this raging fire inside my heart, body and soul. And truly, considering the name of this blog and approach I've taken, it truly fits. If you're reading this you are about to embark upon a journey that will act as a true testament to a Canadian living in Kentucky.
And So It Begins:
It is important you keep in mind, I am about to speak in generalities. My opinions and/or perceptions are just that - MINE. I am not speaking for every Canadian nor am I speaking of every American.
Moncton, New Brunswick: Canada.
A sea of Red RCMP Officers honouring the fallen heros of the recent Moncton Gunman. For those of you who aren;t familiar with what I am talking about. Last week, three RCMP Officers were gunned down and killed by a civilian who was walking around in camo carrying a barrage of guns. This made national headlines in Canada. It was even covered on our local news here in Kentucky.
My initial instinct: Wow, they're covering this in Kentucky? There were only three people killed.
There were only three people killed. Yes, that thought went through my head. I was instantly ashamed. When speaking about it with my husband, those exact words came out of his mouth. Since that moment there have been various conversations in this household about not only the Moncton shooting but the larger picture at hand.
This is a map view of all the shootings that occurred in the United States since the Sandy Hook Elementary incident in Newtown, Connecticut. Shootings at K-12 schools in red, at colleges/universities in purple. To date that is 74 shootings. Countless lives. This is not a map representing gang violence.
This map came from a Facebook post by WPSD (Local News Station). The comments I read there this morning was the proverbial "final straw" for me, which inspired me to write. I have something to say, a perspective to give that if I don't put pen to paper I might implode from pure frustration.
Disclaimer: I respect everyone's opinions on Gun Laws. I am not saying I am right but I am saying this is my opinion, just as you have yours.
Here We Go:
I have had the debate too many times to mention and it boils my blood to say the least. Guns are dangerous. If they're not being used by professionals in the line of defense (Cops, Military) or for hunting, they have absolutely no place in our society. I understand wanting to protect your family from danger but the cons far outweigh the positives and it is about time society at large stops yelling and starts listening.
There is a reason that the Moncton Shooting made national and international news. There is a reason that a good percentage of Canadians changed their Facebook pictures to honor the fallen RCMP Officers. There is a REASON that people were so outraged, angry, scared... even if there were only three people killed. Because that kind of thing just doesn't happen that often in Canada. Civilians don't just walk into schools or movie theaters and blow the heads off innocent children every other month. It just. doesn't. happen.
Ask yourself why? What is the biggest difference between Americans and Canadians when it comes to this particular subject? Guns. Accessibility.
I've lived in the USA for approximately three years and yes, things are different here but not that different. There's still a ton of good people, hard working people just like they have back home. I will not concede to believe that the American Population is that unstable compared to Canadians. We all watch the same television programs, are taught basically the same things in school, we read the same books, speak large-in-part the same language. We're not that different.
So why is it that those living in the USA are almost desensitized to these tragic, merciless killings? Why is it when we turn on the television and see three people were gunned down in Canada, we wonder "What's the big deal, only three people were killed."
I was reading some of the comments posted on the WPSD Facebook Page this morning. A few brave souls dared to speak out against guns. Saying the laws needed to be tightened and people needed to be educated about the dangers of fire arms. I was proud of them. Then suddenly it became overwhelming obvious that those voices were few and far between and quickly became the minority. People started bashing those lone voices, defending their constitutional rights, degrading and insulting anyone who dare threaten their right to bear arms.
And it was that ^^ that lead me to this.
It absolutely blows my goddamn mind that people in this country are more concerned about protecting their right to bear arms than they are about protecting their children and fellow civilians. That they are more concerned that someone may break into their house and steal a television - than they are that someone may break into a school and viciously murder 26 innocent people.
So while you're busy yelling and pounding your chest in defense of your precious guns, let me remind you WHY Canada is different. Or why Great Britain different. Gun Laws. You can't go into your local hardware store and buy a fucking gun. They're not accessible to just 'anyone'. I fully realize that if someone wants to commit a crime, they're going to find a way. But these senseless shootings, the ones that I am talking about here; They're not being done by your standard 'criminal'. They're being done by that kid who lives down the street who is a little bit strange. That college student, who has too much time on his hands. Those people don't have access to guns in Canada.
So keep yelling. Keep protecting your guns and screaming at the top of your lungs "Guns don't kill people, people kill people" and then I'll give you a goddamn stick and see how much damage you can do.
/End Rant.
