Earlier this week there were shootings in my home state of California, including one near a small town where we often go for the creative galleries and yummy artichoke soup.
After thirty-plus years in Texas, I had all but convinced myself that moving back to my native California almost two years ago had significantly reduced my personal risk of being shot. Perhaps it has, but the shootings in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay are a grim reminder that no place is completely free of the threat of gun violence. I still find it hard to believe that what I view as a willful misunderstanding of the Second Amendment, and the insistence on personal "liberty" at the expense of the common good, still stands in the way of sensible gun legislation.
Sigh Martin. I so very much agree with you. I can’t imagine what it feels like in Texas. I still remember visiting a friend in Arkansas, and the first place we parked after my arrival was next to a truck with gun racks in the window, and they were all full.
Another profound, thoughtful and well-written commentary, Sabrina. Thank you. It’s incomprehensible that time after time after time with so many dead and wounded that our politicians cannot or refuse to do anything. I don’t worry about myself being a victim to gun violence but this threat has replaced a car or any other kind of accident for our three children. There was a higher number of gun violence events in January than the days of the month.
I wasn't aware of those statistics, Andrea, but they are sobering. Once again I want to put my fingers in my ears and sing 'la-la-la' loudly while making believe it isn't true.
After thirty-plus years in Texas, I had all but convinced myself that moving back to my native California almost two years ago had significantly reduced my personal risk of being shot. Perhaps it has, but the shootings in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay are a grim reminder that no place is completely free of the threat of gun violence. I still find it hard to believe that what I view as a willful misunderstanding of the Second Amendment, and the insistence on personal "liberty" at the expense of the common good, still stands in the way of sensible gun legislation.
Sigh Martin. I so very much agree with you. I can’t imagine what it feels like in Texas. I still remember visiting a friend in Arkansas, and the first place we parked after my arrival was next to a truck with gun racks in the window, and they were all full.
Looking forward to a safe visit with you soon.
Another profound, thoughtful and well-written commentary, Sabrina. Thank you. It’s incomprehensible that time after time after time with so many dead and wounded that our politicians cannot or refuse to do anything. I don’t worry about myself being a victim to gun violence but this threat has replaced a car or any other kind of accident for our three children. There was a higher number of gun violence events in January than the days of the month.
I wasn't aware of those statistics, Andrea, but they are sobering. Once again I want to put my fingers in my ears and sing 'la-la-la' loudly while making believe it isn't true.