Uvalde
“In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning. Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.” Jeremiah 31.15
As parents bury their children in Uvalde, the withering grief touches us all. No matter our political party, race, or church affiliation. It’s touched us. They were children our children, and now they’re gone. The heart break is magnified by an official story, changing daily, coming apart like wet tissue paper. Few have confidence in what officials tell us. A federal investigation is necessary to learn the truth. Who was responsible for the safety of these children? These were students in a public school, midday, in a small Texas town. A very dangerous situation developed, was reported, and seemed to be acted upon. What went wrong? As terrified children, locked in a room with a madman, called 911, no one responded.
Maybe in time we’ll have real answers: true answers. Until then we must assure the children, all the children, we’ll fix this. This is an adult problem. When I was ten years old, adults being mad at each other scared me Grownups yelling scared me. I didn’t understand it and it scared me. Let’s not let that happen here. These children have been scared enough. We can disagree, we can argue; but not in front of the children. We, as adults, will solve this problem. As reasonable grownups, we can assure the children that’s what’s going to happen. We just need time to work this out. If we say it enough, we might even start to believe it.
I want to talk directly to Bandera County gun owners, because I’m a Bandera County gun owner. I have no plan to give up the guns I find useful on the ranch. What I want to talk about is the ownership of military weapons.
I’ve been encouraged to make this case by two of my conservative Republican friends. We find common ground on this question. Their opinion on gun rights do not include AR15’s or other military hardware. In that narrow strip of agreement I find hope. Here are four areas of discussion.
HUNTING: Every man who’s grown up in a rural area in Texas and hunts probably has the same story. They were given their first gun by a father, grandfather, big brother or other male figure who taught them how to use it. Great. We are on the same page. Every young person, male or female, should understand what hunting is and how traditionally it has been done. We agree. There is no need for an AR15 in hunting. Its destructive power makes it ridiculous for hunting. You can’t eat an animal that is torn to pieces.
HOME PROTECTION: I’ve yet to hear one verifiable story of anyone using an AR15 in protecting their home from animals, humans, or other dangerous entities. Maybe you can tell me one, but until then I am skeptical. If there are instances, they are few and far between.
ENJOYMENT OF FIRING ….ESPECIALLY AT A RANGE: I think any pleasure target shooting with an AR15 is bogus. How can you be proud of hitting a target, when you’re spraying the area with bullets? Both friends agree with this line of reasoning.
2ND AMENDMENT RIGHTS: This, coupled with the slippery slope argument, needs some rethinking. No one wants to take deer rifles, shotguns or handguns away from Bandera citizens. I’m a lifelong Democrat. I think I would have heard something about it if the liberals and Democrats wanted to take up guns. Just not true.
Can we discuss these areas of concern? Can we listen to each other and try to find mid ground? We can’t survive another room full of children identified by DNA because they’re torn apart. No civilian needs a gun designed, researched, and field tested to make it a superior killing machine. None of us needs a weapon like that. If we demand the right to own one, the right also has to be granted to a crazy man like the one in Uvalde. Let’s get this problem solved and behind us. We’ve heard too many Rachels wailing. We can do this. Please.
Gary Moore, Bandera County resident, is a Texas State University graduate, former English teacher and football coach, journalist, script writer and photographer.