In view of the increasing proliferation of gun-related homicides, multiple murders, and suicides, there is always increased demand for and support of stricter gun control legislation. By no far stretch of the imagination am I a supporter of guns of every variety and caliber so easily accessible, legally and illegally, but as long as the associated over-emotional flames are continuously fanned, smoke gets in your eyes. And in such emotional blindness, it is not easy to rationalize or even to see the bigger problems. It’s just easier to toss the ball (and blame) to someone else.
Rationally speaking guns don’t kill people–people do, through a sick warring mentality instilled, nurtured, cultivated, and perpetuated by a sequence of occurrences from birth that no one cares to explore or deal with. It’s much easier to blame gun owners, gun sellers, buyers, and (of course) legislators–already swamped with legislation that is either unknown, unfamiliar, or unenforceable. Yet we continue to glorify war which is impossible without first creating a warring mentality which, stripped of every gun in existence would simply find other modes of expression.
Add to this warring mentality indoctrination, the frustration of a collapsing, insensitive world society that offers no security, honors no commitments and pledges allegiance to a flag only to be neglected and rejected upon returning home, whether healthy or in maimed physical or psychological condition. People with a warring mentality often snap under the stress of being homeless, jobless, or under-employed in the face of spiraling inflation with the cost of education, health care, and basic necessities skyrocketing out of reach. Would it not seem far more logical than to redirect time, energy, and endless resources spent on unenforceable legislation on guns to more equitable, academic, social, psychological, and loving control of the hands which hold them?
You cannot legislate love. It must be demonstrated. You cannot legislate morality or motivation to level the playing field so that social and economic disparity might be reduced or eliminated. Each must be demonstrated.
We are not implying that one should choose one over the other as both legislation and demonstration are imperative in today’s society. But the annals of history clearly show that legislation is frequently altered and even unaltered, has never been equitably applied, or enforced. Neither has punishment issued for related infractions ever been equality applied.
In today’s impersonal, mechanical, computerized society, wouldn’t it be preferable to demonstrate love, sincerity, and selflessness; to demonstrate courtesy while instilling it in others; demonstrate courage for the faint-hearted and faith for freedom from whatever or whoever would hold us captive? Advanced science and technology are making it abundantly clear that we are all one family of man.
“The integrity of the family bond must be constantly considered and the rights of the individual members must not be transgressed,” we read in the Baha’i Writings. “The injury of one shall be considered the injury of all; the comfort of each, the comfort of all; the honor of one he honor of all.”
Let’s Demonstrate Dignity indicative of the high station of man!
