GUNS: Welcome to our civil war

After recent mass shootings the seeds of the next American Civil War have been sown. It will be the Right to Bear Arms folks versus The Others. It says much that no religious leanings, tribal insurgents or external conqueror are involved. The gun control issue is a common man against common man conflict and this is a repeat of a civil war but over a metal object rather than a peoples.

We have heard all the platitudes and the arguments ad nauseam.

I will not tread that path. Contrary to Mr. Gaines and the European references to Hitler or Mussolini I have to wonder how dark the souls of Americans are when they feel a need to arm up against a marauding what? Insurgent Canadian geese from the north, Mexican drug lords from the south, or a centralized, bi-partisan government that cannot agree on when to take a bathroom break?

I respect the fact that all my neighbors are proud hunters and bowmen. They hunt for pleasure, food and getting outdoors for the sport. In the event of an attack on the borders of our resort destination state of Idaho by these unknown and unidentified foes I know I am covered by plenty of firepower. (My baseball bats are also handy at close range for drunks and fools. )

The common sense approach seems to be lost in the passion on both sides. Semi-auto and multiple rounds do not make good hunting tools unless mass murder is afoot.

People who need these seem to also need to run drugs, manufacture meth or launder ill gotten gains. Or most recently are insane or delusional and should not even hold a butter knife, let alone a gun.

Most of the respectful gun owners admit they see no sport in these forms of artillery and they sure make mincemeat out of their prey.

So, once we get past the rhetoric, the emotion and the masculine positing I think no mentally healthy, morally whole American can support this Gun Fever as their ideal form of “Freedom” as Mr. Gaines purports.

Addressing mental health issues proactively and smart storage of all guns and ammo is just common sense and responsible gun ownership.

With four sons I assure you my parents made sure the guns were locked in a cabinet and the ammo far from their reach at grandma’s next door. A pellet gun for intruders and feral cats worked well over the years for my Dad.

In closing, I do not know where it is written in the Bible that our “Creator” or “God” supports killing of fellow human beings by means of semi-automatic killing rounds. Mr. Gaines’ mixing God and the Right to Bear Arms is another affront to anyone who believes in something greater than themselves. If you believe that Jesus died on the cross to wash away the sins of his fellow man then we need a lot more crosses for the next stack of sins masquerading as the Second Amendment and uncontrolled gun freedoms in a society that does not value life.

If we continue down this path of self destruction and arming up for a self created Armageddon then it will be time to pack your bags if you are not packing a gun.

LYNN M. FLEMING

Hayden