As I sit in my kitchen, surrounded by my four children, a wave of relief washes over me as my eldest three return from school, safe and sound. However, that comfort quickly dissipates when I hear news of an active shooter targeting a facility for individuals with developmental disabilities in San Bernardino. My youngest is on the floor, blissfully gnawing on a toy from her Nativity set, completely unaware of the chaos that surrounds us.
While I maintain a cheerful demeanor and distribute after-school snacks, my mind races with troubling thoughts: Will my children grow to adulthood? Will I witness their lives flourish? Perhaps I can keep them safe until college, only for a troubled individual to shatter that dream with senseless violence. I have lived a fulfilling life, and I realize children often adapt to the loss of a parent; I did. Surviving beyond my own mother’s passing has given me a perspective, but if I were to become a victim of gun violence in a public space, they would eventually cope. Yet, that sobering knowledge is often my only motivation to step outside each day.
I grew up in a different era. I rode in the front seat of a car without a seatbelt while my uncle, who had consumed a few drinks, navigated the roads. I roller-skated without protective gear, inhaled secondhand smoke, and roamed the neighborhood for hours without a means to inform my parents if something went awry.
In stark contrast, my children are secured in car seats that could withstand the worst scenarios. They have likely never encountered a cigarette, and when they venture out on their bicycles, they are clad in protective gear while I stand vigil just a few feet away. Recently, I’ve begun allowing my oldest to venture out of my line of sight for brief moments.
Despite these precautions, none of it addresses the grim reality of living in a world where gunfire is a daily occurrence. We can implement checkpoints, lock doors, and install security cameras, but the fact remains: those who wield weapons find a way in. They create havoc with firearms, explosives, and other means of destruction.
I do not possess the solutions. The politicians and pundits on my screen repeatedly assert that firearms are not the issue, yet they fail to clarify what the root cause is if not guns. Some attribute the violence to religion, others to substance abuse, and some caution against government overreach.
However, my concern does not lie with the government. My fears are centered on firearms and those who misuse them. I am troubled by the rhetoric suggesting that the answer lies in more guns rather than fewer. I am left searching for understanding.
As my youngest attempts to share a toy from her Nativity set, she crawls towards me, her face lit up with joy. I smile back, envious of her innocence. She remains oblivious to the dangers of the world, while I grapple with how to shield her from this reality for as long as possible.
This article was originally published on Dec. 3, 2015.
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Summary:
In today’s society, the issue of gun violence looms large, causing deep anxiety among parents concerned for their children’s safety. The contrast between past and present experiences highlights the pervasive nature of this violence, leaving many searching for solutions. While various explanations are offered for the rise in gun-related incidents, the fear remains that the prioritization of firearms jeopardizes the lives of our children.