Easy Accessibility to Guns Not the Problem

     President Obama believes easy accessibility to guns is partly to blame* in the deaths of innocent people. Yes, a gun was used so in that sense he was correct. But logic dictates that these statements are misleading people to think guns are the problem. I’ve checked enough stats online to see that they certainly have more guns per 100 people than other “developed” countries (88.8 to 45.7 Swit.), but Switzerland has more firearm homicides than the U.S. (72.2% Swit. to 67.5%) (some countries also have no stats on homicides)

     Easy accessibility to guns cannot be anymore to blame for deaths than knives, poison, bombs, and especially vehicles. {Perhaps they need to prioritize more stringent vehicle regulations since in 2013 motor vehicles killed 32,719 compared to 12,560 homicides by gun- 2014. For whatever reason I couldn’t find the same year…} A more concerning stat: suicide rates by gun are 6.7 compared to homicides at 3.55.

Accessibility to guns isn’t the problem--- we are!

And Jehovah saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Gn. 6:5

…the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth… Gn. 8:21

     I am a sinner too, but I would never think to drive a half hour to take one of the 7 handguns and 5 rifles with ammunition that I know of to go and shoot anyone--- for ANY reason. I respect the lives of others of all colours, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations… etc. God made every person that walks this earth and I believe since He wants them alive, I have no right to purposely destroy those lives OR treat them with any less love than He would.

Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Mt. 22:37-39

     Still, most North Americans can easily find many ways to kill others online or by tv shows using items in our houses or the nearest stores, but most choose not to do so. Does the fact of increasing gun crimes not indicate a far more systemic problem such as ungodly- anger, disrespect, arrogance, believing others have less value (sin) for ANY reason. These are some of the systemic problems we need to address in all ages.

     In the 80’s I used to get teased quite a bit but I never thought to kill those who teased me. And just as bad as those who kill are those who will not stand up for what is right and protect others. I heard of a teen who told fellow classmates she was going to shoot the girl who teased her, and the classmates followed and watched! Our society’s problems are farther reaching than accessibility to guns; taking them away without addressing the basic issues just means the weapon of choice will change. (There are many homicides in China by knives.)

Mr. President- taking away guns or making more stringent gun regulations will not change the way your country handles their problems. The evil in men’s hearts will still be there. Men need Jesus to transform their lives so they no longer have to live with sin ruling their bodies. Lord, how will we stand before you and justify our lack in standing for the truth?

*Obama’s words- in part:

We don't have all the facts, but we do know that once again, innocent people were killed in part because someone who wanted to inflict harm had no trouble getting their hand on a gun.

this type of mass violence does not happen in other advanced countries. It doesn't happen in other places with this kind of frequency. (Charlie Hebdo…) (1985- 329 dead in plane bombing- Vancouver)