My wife died recently, suddenly and unexpectedly, and my pain at times seems unbearable. When someone is in such pain, it is easy to understand why reaching for a gun to end the pain could be seen as a quick and acceptable way out. According to the CDC, 54% of gun deaths in the U.S. are suicides. But such pain is sometimes directed outwardly by killing of friends, family or some kind of mass shooting.
Anger is another cause of gun deaths. Most of us have been angry enough to want to harm others. Having a gun handy makes the possibility of that happening more likely. Sudden anger, like road rage, can go from giving someone the finger to reaching for a gun as a solution.
Fear is another reason for many gun deaths. Recently there have been two examples of people shooting at someone through closed doors. We can reasonably ask, “If the gun were not there, would a phone call to 911 have been better for all involved?!”
It is easy to think that a gun will protect us. Other data show that if a gun in the home is ever involved, there is an 80% chance that the gun was stolen. If a gun is ever used on someone, there is a 95% chance that gun will be used on the gun owner, other family members or friends.
Since pain, anger and fear are very common, natural human emotions, does it really make sense to have guns so readily available to everyone?
David Hart, Torrey
