Raising children in today’s world, saturated with information and divided by entrenched opinions, isn’t easy. As a father of four and a registered independent, I see firsthand the challenges and opportunities in fostering critical thinking and an openness to diverse perspectives. Just like in Congress, where real progress hinges on bipartisan compromise, true solutions on complex issues like gun laws require us to look beyond the fray and find common ground.
In a household with children, the opportunity to pose the question, “Is that object being used for its intended purpose?” comes more frequently than one might suppose. It could be with a colander-turned-spaceship or a leaf-blower-turned-rocket, such situations though are quite playful. Turning to how guns are used in our community, the same question carries significant weight considering gun types and where they’re employed.
Police officers and self-defense proponents choose handguns. Hunters utilize hunting rifles. And, within controlled military environments, semi-automatic or fully-automatic rifles have a designated role. When used as intended, these weapons can cause harm, but the consequences are generally predictable.
However, the devastating casualties we’ve witnessed in mass shootings too often include assault-style rifles with a fire rate that far exceeds a hand gun or hunting rifle. Restricting the legal availability of these outside of war zones wouldn’t eliminate all gun violence, but it could reduce its deadliest form. Like DUI or seatbelt laws, this isn’t a partisan issue; it’s about public safety.
In fact, a recent Statista poll revealed that only 29% of Republicans strongly oppose restrictions on assault-style weapons, while 53% of all registered voters strongly support a ban.
Regardless of political affiliation, the time to raise our voices to our elected officials is now, not after the next casualty. Let’s rely on our voices and our elected officials for their intended purpose.
Chase Ferguson, Davis County
