Which Do You Love More, Guns or Me?
Newtown broke my heart.
That was when I began to talk publically about being bipolar, guns and mental illness, and what needed to be done to keep us all safe. I was open and honest and raw and in the thick of the discussion about mental illness and guns. I thought, “Surely this will be the thing that brings us together to work on getting these assault weapons out of the hands of people who are a threat to themselves or others.”
And I was disappointed in so many of my gun owning friends who scrambled with concern over their gun rights so quickly and vociferously. But I also supported their right to own guns for basic purposes, such as hunting and self-defense. I spoke the language of reconciliation in the hopes surely we could find a way forward. I simply asked for us to take a sober look at the data together and talk it through.
Then, Michael Brown. Trayvon Martin. Tamir Rice. Black Lives Matter. Those exact same friends became quite vocal about supporting the police first. I used what seemed to be another opening for conversation to point out “if you want to protect the police, the thing they have asked for, over and over and over, is to help them get guns off the street.”
“That’s got nothing to do with this.”
“So, those officers you’re praising don’t know what they’re talking about?”
Onward.
“Sweetie, you don’t see the threat we’re facing. We have to protect ourselves against a tyrannical government that wants to take our guns.”
“Guess what? The United States Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines have more firepower than you. They have drones and RPGs that you love to post glowing YouTube videos about. You’re outgunned. Now, who is the crazy one here? Because I gotta say, it never occurred to me that I could outgun the Marines.”
Other shootings followed. Then, San Bernadino. An honest to God, genuine terrorist attack on this country. And what did the Newtown and San Bernadino attacks have in common? The shooters were nothing alike, different ideology, different everything.
They both used descendent versions of the original AR-15 rifle, first built in 1959 by Colt. “America’s Favorite” has grown up now to be sold in different versions by different manufacturers but the basic AR-15 core remains the same. And they used them to spray as many bullets as fast as possible. They took advantage of it.
A real terrorist attack would wake everyone up to how easily the shooters acquired an arsenal, right? Well, not so much. The latest rallying cry was an old one…Muslims! And that’s what Trump is tapping into gleefully right now. And people with no ability to rub two brain cells together are all over it. My brain cells may occasionally go a bit wonky, but I am confident I have more than two.
Next one on the list? “These people are mentally ill! It’s not about guns!”
“Man, this is right in my personal knowledge wheelhouse. Let’s talk!”
I can go, right now, to my local Texas Gun and Ammo Emporium and purchase a Bushmaster Patrolman AR15 M4 Carbine, .223/5.56 16” W/Detachable Carry Handle, Telescoping Stock, Black Finish 30 Round Mag for $723.49.
It’s on sale.
My medications to keep my bipolar in check are ~$300 a month, and that’s high. They don’t go on sale. I’ve got to do the doctors and the pharmacies and the fights with insurance companies but it’s ok. I need those medications and I am grateful they exist. And if you met me in person you would have NO IDEA I have a mental illness. None.
“Wait! $3,600 a year? Just for medications for one person? No! We’re not paying for that!”
Now, God help us, Orlando. Pulse Nightclub. What’s the pattern? Not the targets, that’s 5 year-olds and work colleagues and club patrons finishing their last drinks. Not Islamic terrorism, the Newtown and Aurora shooters broke that pattern. No, more innocent people slaughtered by yet another offshoot of an AR-15. Tired of reading “AR-15?” I’m tired of typing it. But, that’s why it’s called “a pattern.”
This time? 50 dead. I’ll round that assault rifle cost comparison up to $2,000 for a nice one to brag to friends about, with plenty of ammo and clips to reload.
That’s $40 a life.
$40 a precious, precious life.
Choose. Right now.
Choose what matters most. Help me fight for basic controls on guns, such as closing gun show loopholes, controlling gun sales over the Internet, and requiring both STATE and FEDERAL background checks (you’ll have to do the state one locally). Help the police be safer on our streets. Help me ban these assault weapons. Help me fight for mental health services for suffering people and tougher gun confiscation laws for those who have been diagnosed as mentally ill or are a threat to themselves or others.
You want to pray for the victims? You can pray and march with me at the same time. God is a big enough God not to care if you’re on your knees or having a moment of silence or walking in a protest when you pray. Light your candles, get up and MOVE.
My friends, this is your collective insanity wrapped up in empty platitudes and I will hold you accountable. Help, or say it loud and proud. “I LOVE MY UNFETTERED GUN RIGHTS MORE THAN I LOVE YOU.”
We’re done talking now.
And to all of my LGBT friends and family, I love you more than you will ever know. I hurt and cry with you. My heart is absolutely broken. But your spirit has never broken, the community pulls together, from Stonewall to The Castro in the 80s to fight the battle against HIV/AIDS to Matthew Shepherd’s murder to the constant homophobia spewed at you since you knew enough to understand it. You are so STRONG and you have my heart, every day. Every single day.
Still too soon?
Tough shit.