Sometimes it seems to me that Arizona is the last of the wild west, especially when it comes to guns. As a state with virtually no regulations on gun possession or purchases and a very angry sheriff running it’s most populous county , Arizona is a powder keg, combining the population’s love of firearms with a “get out of my town” mentality that is difficult to understand when you consider the fact that once upon a time it was mostly populated by Native Americans and Hispanics.
When Gabby Giffords was shot by a deranged gunman 2 years ago, the world watched and wept, not only for the people who were senselessly murdered, but for the ease with which the assailant was able to acquire the gun used to shoot his victims. There was no way for the store that sold him the gun to know that he had been declared mentally unstable by his school, Pima Community College.
Gun deaths by state – courtesy of Washingtonpost.com
I’ve highlighted Arizona for two reasons.
First, because the state’s deaths from gun violence are appallingly high.
Second, because at a college party at University of Arizona last Saturday night, my son heard gunshots, and ran, terrified, from where the party was being held. After he posted on Facebook that he had heard these gunshots, we called him to make sure he was ok. Because you just never know. Thankfully, he was fine – though he and his friends were scared and shocked. The story goes that someone at the party, in an effort to break up an argument, fired shots into the air, sending the party-goers running for their lives. Brilliant move – just genius. Where, can I ask, do those gunshots that are fired into the air end up?
What we saw on Facebook
Guns have no place at a college party. Guns have no place in an elementary school. They have no place in a grocery store, a mall, a concert, a yogurt shop, a local bar. Guns should be kept, locked and unloaded, in the privacy of the gunowner’s home, and used only for hunting, sport shooting, or in the case of self-defense when one fears for one’s life or the lives of their loved ones.
Join the movement #louderthanguns. Tweet, share on Facebook, or just talk about it. We can make a difference. We are bloggers, women, mothers, and more. Support stricter gun control laws. Make your voice heard. Click here for a list of ways you can help and organizations working toward this goal.
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Sharon, this is such an important piece. Kids shouldn’t be hearing gunshots at any school — which does NOT mean silencers are the answer. http://www.salon.com/2012/12/30/silencers_the_nras_latest_big_lie/
Lois Alter Mark recently posted..My “A-hot stone massage!” Moment
Sharon, I wish everyone would read this. Maybe I have been out the country too long, but I can’t get my head around it, nor can any of my European friends. Gun control seems like a no brainer, fewer guns circulating, less casualties!
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How scary to read that on Facebook! I don’t know if you saw it, but I wrote about guns in Arizona, too (I went to the UofA and grew up there). http://momsla.com/2013/01/gun-safety-now-louderthanguns/.
Yvonne Condes recently posted..2 Weeks Postpartum; What I’ve Learned So Far
I did see that, Yvonne. This wasn’t the first time my son heard gunshots around U of A. It’s horrible.
Holy cow, I can only imagine the electric shock that ran through you when you saw his post. I agree with you and give thanks that no one was hurt!