Not long ago (okay, a few weeks back), I was at the gym, catching my breath between sets during what was supposed to be a challenging leg workout. Let’s be real: it was challenging mainly because it was leg day.
As I took a sip from my water bottle, a sudden thought crossed my mind. “If a shooter were to burst in here and start firing, would I have a place to hide? Where’s the nearest exit? Do I even know how to play dead?”
Strange, right? But sadly, not anymore. These thoughts have been creeping into my head more frequently. I’m not one to live in fear—I’ll jump on a long-haul flight, scream my heart out on the wildest roller coasters, and indulge in carbs that would make any dietitian weep.
Back in elementary school, we practiced fire drills constantly. Each year, firefighters would come by to remind us that the real danger of a fire wasn’t just the flames, but the smoke. “Stop! Drop! And ROLL!” they’d yell, and we’d demonstrate our rolling skills on command. “Roll away from the smoke!” They’d point to the imaginary smoke, and down we’d go, arms pinned to our sides.
Now, I can’t help but think that maybe I should be teaching my kids how to “Stop. Drop. And play dead” instead.
A Harsh Reality Check
On the day of the Newtown shooting, I was in my office following the news. Initially, reports said two had died, but as I left to grab lunch and glanced at the screen, my heart sank when I saw the updated numbers. A colleague remarked, “Just wait for the gun control advocates to jump on this.”
My idea of “jumping on it” is about as far from a fun field day as you can get—more like a heart-wrenching tragedy where innocent lives are lost.
“It’s not guns that kill people! People kill people,” my colleague asserted. Well, duh. But people typically use guns to do it. Other tools exist, but none have the destructive power of an assault weapon like the ones used in Newtown.
So go ahead, call me a freak. But first, call me an American. I’m proud of my country, but I’m also aware of its flaws. Patriotism isn’t about blind love; it’s about recognizing imperfections. Acknowledging the injustices faced by Native Americans, the horror of internment camps during WWII, and the history of slavery in a land that cherishes freedom.
Yes, we sing “This Land Is Your Land” with a sense of unity, but our history has never been quite that harmonious.
Being an American means understanding that our Founding Fathers were not infallible. They crafted the Constitution under immense pressure, with no way to foresee the future they helped shape. They had muskets, not the high-powered firearms that plague our communities today. They couldn’t have imagined tragedies like Columbine or Newtown.
“Don’t take away my Second Amendment rights!” some shout. But let’s stop treating the Constitution as untouchable scripture. If existing laws aren’t enforced, then we need to rethink our approach—enforcement and sensible regulations are essential.
We’re at a critical moment in our nation’s history. Another shooting is inevitable; it’s just a matter of when and where. Why do people feel threatened when we discuss better regulation? No one is taking away your right to hunt or defend yourself.
We’re facing an epidemic. Why is it controversial to require proper licensing for gun ownership? Just like we need a license to drive, which we all know is a hassle, but it makes sense. Driving a vehicle can be deadly if the operator isn’t trained. Why should it be any different with guns?
If you want to form a militia, well, I’d rather not see that happen. That thought scares me more than any gunman.
I haven’t figured out what I’d do if a shooter stormed into that gym while I was working out, but every day, I think about my kids and their friends. I’m not ready to teach them to stop, drop, and play dead.
Something has to change.
This article was originally published on Feb. 1, 2013.
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Summary:
In a world where tragic events have become too frequent, the author reflects on the unsettling thoughts of safety in public places and the need for a conversation about gun regulations. With a sense of patriotism grounded in acknowledging the nation’s imperfections, the piece calls for responsible gun ownership and sensible laws to ensure the safety of future generations.