Q: Do we need stronger rules on guns?
A: I have no intention of telling you whether I support stronger gun legislation. That is something for you to decide for yourself.
It is not going to be easy. Both sides of the argument, including both those who support stronger gun controls and those who are against the idea, are represented by some eloquent speakers.
I have no idea who is winning the debate but what matters is that you are opening up to compelling discussions both for and against gun legislation and that is going to help you make your decision about it. It is an intelligent way for you to figure things out.
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As I see it, the question is not whether we have fewer or more guns in our homes. The question is whether we live in communities where people love and care about each other.
Think about it. If we lived in communities where everyone respected the dignity and integrity of all their friends and neighbours, we probably would not be worrying about how many guns they had stored away in their closets.
If we lived in communities with no domestic violence, no wife abuse, no husband indignity or no child abuse, we probably would not worry too much about where the guns are.
If we lived in communities with no anti-Semitism, where Jewish people could work and live without worrying about being either assaulted or insulted, the numbers of guns would not matter.
If we lived in communities where people of colour could be proud within their own rites, where First Nations people could honour their heritage and traditions openly and freely, we probably would not be thinking about guns.
If we lived in communities where people with different sexual orientations could live and enjoy life without insult, I doubt that we would be debating the need for guns.
I am not going to answer your question about whether we need stronger gun legislation. I would prefer to turn it back to you, to let you answer this question for me.
What are you doing to make our communities more loving, more accepting and more respectful of the dignity inherent to each and every one of you, your friends and your neighbours?
Jacklin Andrews is a family counsellor from Saskatchewan. Contact: jandrews@producer.com.
