I learned to shoot a .22 at church camp, and I am really
good at it. My dad went hunting with parishioners. He held the gun while my
brother shot at ground squirrels. But I hate guns.
I went out to the movies with some friends a few nights ago,
and thought to myself, “I shouldn’t text during the previews. An old white man
might shoot me.” (
(You might think this actually gives me a great reason to
avoid old white men and the state of Florida, but that seems unrealistic.)
I know I’m supposed to be all measured and moderate, and say
that I hate it when people get ahold of guns illegally, or I hate it when
people who own guns are irresponsible, and I support the right to bear arms
responsibly, but that’s not it. I actually just don’t like guns.
Yes, I know I live in the U.S. I am resigned to the fact
that there are guns everywhere, and I have to deal with it. I also know that I
can afford to live in an area where guns are not a necessity. I don’t need a
gun for everyday self-protection. I don’t need a gun for food.
I know responsible gun owners. They keep their guns and
their ammunition locked up. They don’t brandish them when there are guests or
children around.
They don’t shoot black children.
I am horrified at the state of Florida, in part because
there is definitely something wrong with the criminal justice system there. But
this isn’t about Florida. This is about us.
What always strikes me when I drive down into Florida is the
presence of anti-abortion billboards. They are graphic and offensive. I know
that is the intent. But for a state with so many pro-life Christians, it has really gotten a lot of attention for multiple high-profile gun violence episodes.
The problem with Florida is that this is a national problem.
It is a problem of our culture. It is a problem of those of us who are
Christian. Our elected officials live in fear of the gun lobby. We live captive
to racism that both tells us and institutionalizes the ideology that black men
and boys are a threat, even when they aren’t doing anything. We believe in a
national ideology that privileges the right to bear arms over the right to walk
safely or go to school in safety.
Who have we become?
Michael Dunn was convicted of attempted second-degree murder
for shooting at three teenagers who didn’t die. The jury couldn’t agree on the
first-degree murder charge for the teenager who did die. (More here.)
George Zimmerman was not convicted of second-degree murder
after shooting and killing a teenager. In
the back.
The Georgia State Legislature is voting today on whether to
allow people with concealed-carry permits to bring their weapons into churches,
bars, unsecured parts of the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and
government buildings that do not require security screenings for entry. Imagine
how pleased churches are with that possibility. (More here.) As of 1:15pm, the legislature voted to allow guns on college campuses, despite the vocal opposition of all Georgia colleges.
Last year, Vice President Biden released a series of
guidelines on emergency preparedness, including the emergency involving a
person with a gun who is intent on using it on others in the immediate
vicinity. One of these guidelines is for houses of worship. You can read the story here.
What kind of country needs these guidelines? Seriously.
This makes my head explode (metaphorically). Or is it my
heart doing the metaphorical exploding? As a Christian, I know my primary
loyalty is to life in Christ. My faith calls me to work for a world in which
all creation has life abundant. We are to live toward peace, hope, and love. Is
not our most faithful response to God’s saving love to engage in sharing that
love with the world?
I know this is not how every Christian responds to the
reality of God’s love in her or his life, but this is my response. My faith
brings me into direct conflict with the reality of mass shootings and the
lower-profile gun violence that happen with uncomfortable frequency. Something
is not right here. I believe citizens should all be free, in our society, to
walk around without worrying we could be shot at any moment. I believe this
freedom is for everyone.
I am not comfortable with the risk and reality of frequent
shootings, mass or otherwise. I believe Christians have a powerful witness to
life over death, to care for the vulnerable over the economic gain of the
powerful.
Maybe one day children of all races and economic classes can
walk to school or go outside to play without being afraid of being shot. Maybe
one day government personnel can go to work without being afraid of being shot.
Maybe one day black unarmed teenagers can go about their day without being
afraid of being shot.
We have work to do, people. Our faith is calling us.
If you need a start, here are some resources.
Film:
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has a fantastic documentary
out about the impact of gun violence on communities. (Yes, you heard me: a
church agency has funded a good documentary. It’s possible.) My seminary
classmate David Barnhart made the documentary, which is named “Trigger: The
Ripple Effect,” and it does a great job of presenting the effects of gun
violence, along with concrete ways to make a difference on the issue that isn’t
politically dogmatic.
Downloadable Studies (for adults):
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