Vendor Writing: Norma B.

Follow-Up On Gun Rights Verses Victims Rights: What Is More Important?

BY NORMA B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

I can’t say I’m surprised by the fact that I’ve taken a lot of heat for the article I wrote about gun owners rights versus victims rights. I actually expected it. Because of that, I feel it necessary to provide further explanation on some aspects of what I wrote. For instance, I’ve been asked, “How can you say guns serve a useful purpose?”

Though I do not have guns in my home, as far back as I can remember, a full gun rack was always on display in the living room of my grandparents house. (My cousin Ray once described it as the safest place in the world. I would have to agree.)

As a young person, I enjoyed target practice. (A skill that comes in handy if you ever use a gun for self defense, a reason many people give for owning a gun.) My dad took pride in teaching me to shoot, and I took advantage of every opportunity to be with him, and I would do whatever I could to make him happy. This activity accomplished both objectives.

As an adult, living in Bugg Hollow (yes, it’s as country as it sounds, and very appropriately named) a gun came in handy when it came to killing snakes — rattlesnakes in particular. (My biggest kill had 13 rattles and a button, my husband once shot one with 17 rattles and a button!)

More recently, most of my customers know I often trade papers for different things, and each year I have a few who give me deer meat. I was hesitant to take it at first, telling one customer I really like it, but I honestly don’t know how to cook it. She returned later that day with a bag full of deer meat and instructions on how to prepare deer burgers, deer for chili/tacos, deer steaks, and more. And even though one man I know does hunt with a bow and arrow, each time he’s bagged a deer, it’s been with a gun.

I’ve also been asked, “What makes you an expert on gun owner's rights and victim's rights?” I was told, “You need to pick a side. You can’t be for both.”

My answer: Why not? I was always taught to respect the power of a guneven an unloaded gun, and as I’ve said before, I was taught when I was young how to properly handle a gun.

As for victims rights, I’ve had a gun pointed directly at me, and it’s only by the grace of God and a faulty firing pin that I lived to tell the tale.

I’ve also been shot at. That’s how I found out I was pregnant with my first child. (*See the article titled, “What Not To Do When You’re Expecting.”) Given that information, I’d say that makes me uniquely qualified to speak about both sides of this issue!

That being said, I am in favor of RESPONSIBLE gun ownership, which is what led to the suggestions that were made in the previous article regarding possible laws to improve public safety with regard to guns.

It’s noteworthy that while the original article has been met with some resistance, there have also been several GUN OWNERS who have commended and even agreed with many of the suggestions contained in that article because they recognize the need for change with regard to our lax gun laws. Lest we forget, innocent people of ALL ages are dying!

As of July 26, 2022, there have been 372 mass shootings in the US. (NY Post/ gunviolencearchive.org)

Did you know that Tennessee ranks No. 1 in the number of gun thefts in the US? (WKRN 5/18/22)

More than 70 percent of all guns stolen are taken from vehicles. These guns are routinely used in other crimes. (News Channel 5 3/15/22); 810 so far this year! (Nashville.gov 5/17/22).

There is currently proposed legislation that would require a gun owner who does not properly store their weapon to take an approved gun safety course.

What if it were to go a step further? What if those who fail to secure their guns properly lost their right to carry a gun for a period of time much like someone who is convicted of a DUI/ DWI is fined and loses their drivers license for a specified period of time? With each infraction the fines/penalties increase and if you’re declared a habitual offender, you’d lose license and or your right to carry a gun permanently.

Also if a stolen gun is used in a crime, the gun owner could and should face charges if they failed to properly secure their weapon thereby posing a threat to the public.

A precedent has already been established when Jeffery Reinking was charged with unlawful delivery of a firearm for giving his son the weapon that was used in the Waffle House shooting in Antioch. He now faces a sentence of probation up to three years in prison. Implementing ideas like this would ensure a higher level of public safety as well as promote responsible gun handling and ownership.

Since the original article was published, new bipartisan gun legislation was passed, the most significant gun safety measure in decades, and while something is better than nothing, there is still much to be done.

I urge you ask yourself: What lengths would you go to to protect yourself and those you love from gun violence? I encourage you to look at ANY new legislation as well as any proposed changes to our gun laws with that in mind.

Hopefully this will clear up any misunderstandings with regard to my previous article, and give you something more to think about.

However, if you do have additional questions or comments, feel free to ask! You don’t have to agree with me, but I would hope you’d keep an open mind and respect my views on this controversial matter.