It’s been a couple of months since the tragedy in Newtown and I am still trying to absorb what happened. My immediate reaction like most was of heartache and despair. It is impossible to fathom the pain the families of the victims must be going through. Trying to pick up the pieces after your innocent 6 year old child is killed randomly seems inconceivable to me. In fact, trying to put myself in their shoes just for a moment, imagining something happening to Matthew, simply tears me up.

I purposely did my best to avoid any pictures and stories of the young victims. Somehow it makes it a little easier to swallow when I don’t have the full visual. I had to stop watching the events on tv and couldn’t read any more stories. I wasn’t burying my head in the sand, but I couldn’t take the constant sensationalism. I know along with the tragedy there were also heroes, some not surviving. I have the utmost respect for any individual who puts others lives ahead of their own.

Of course by now most of America is split on the debate that stemmed from the actions of one individual. Many have discussed the blog that went viral bringing the topic of mental illness in front of many that avoid the issue completely. But the more drastic debate, the one where there is essentially no middle ground, comes from discussing the 2nd amendment.

Much like all political discussions, people tend to dig their feet in, cover their ears and refuse to be open to the other sides point of view. I like to think I could be persuaded with a good arguement. However I have yet to hear one when it comes to regular everyday Joe’s buying semi-automatic assualt rifles.

I’ve shot a gun before. I’ve held semi-automatic weapons before. And yes, I believe in the constitution of the United States as well as the Bill of Rights. However, I do feel the need to point out that the weapon of choice when that law was written into effect was a musket. AND if you read the law and not just recite what you have heard others state, the purpose of the 2nd amendment is the right to bear arms to upold the governement… i.e., we didnt have an military to protect our country and our rights, so each citizen had the right to bear their own firearm.

Now the real hard core right wingers will tell you that they like to use whatever weapon they want to go hun tin’. Seriously dude, if you need a semi automatic weapon to kill Bambi or little bunny fufu, perhaps you need to find another sport activity.

At work I am surrounded by the simplistic thinking of “no one is going to tell me I cant buy guns”. I tend to keep my mouth shut when it comes to hotly debated subjects at work since the majority of time I am on the other side of the fence with my thoughts and opinions. Of course, it is important to note that this group of unionized individuals felt it was important to have ‘Deer Monday’ off as a work holiday for hunting in the great state of Pennsylvania, that they previously fought for it in their contract. Keep in mind these are the same people that tried to convince me that Joe Pa was innocent, and there was no way that he could have known what his staff was doing, before all of the evidence came out to show their naitivity. Click here to read my thoughts on that debacle.

The fact that I dont own a gun isn’t because I don’t believe one should. It’s a personal choice I have made based on my own belief that more bad comes from having a gun in the house than good. (i.e. a child or anyone who shouldn’t – getting a hold of it somehow) If you feel the need to go out and buy a pistol to protect yourself and your home, have at it. However, I feel much like before someone gets behind a wheel, there should be a mandatory goverment run course one has to take to own one. Along with documented practice with a trained professional, and follow up training and recertification every few years to maintain a license to own a weapon.

For now, I’m going to stick with a baseball bat.

And for those of you that read this and think that’s the most rediculous thing I have ever heard… It’s the 2nd amendment for crying out loud. Don’t be shocked when there is a much louder voice and movement to try and ban ALL guns. Momentum is gaining and politics are in play. But perhaps you may want to watch this video to gain a different perspective. So much energy is being focused on one issue, we are losing sight on so many others.

I read the following tweet after the K.C. Chiefs player murdered his girlfriend and then turned the gun onto himself….

Anyone who is plotting any kind of muder-suicide, go ahead with the suicide first.

If only Adam Lanza had that same thought.