Seriously Unpopular Opinion Alert

I've become much more keenly aware lately of the differences of opinion I have with other people. With the presidential election in particular, people whose opinions I value and respect have differed from mine, when I feel the reasons for my feelings are so obvious that anyone who thinks otherwise must be ignorant of the Truth. And I recognize that those feelings are wrong.

Of course, things are complicated. Several months ago, after yet another mass shooting, I wrote the following and very nearly posted it on social media. Then, realizing it would not foster open discussion but simply incite rancor, I decided against it. Here it is.


I'd like to share an opinion for once, bearing in mind that it may differ significantly from yours. And that's okay; we can disagree without animosity. Let me first say that I like guns, I enjoy shooting them, and although I don't own any I believe we have a constitutional right to own them.

I would gladly give up that right if there's even a chance that it would save one child's life.

I don't judge anyone who owns guns; every gun owner I know is sensible and responsible. And as I said, I like guns. But I don't know any way to legislate gun ownership for only the mature. I don't demand proof that gun control would reduce gun violence before action. I don't think we should wait to explore every avenue before we try anything. Rather, we should try everything, right now, to prevent these tragedies from happening. Let's stop the bleeding first, and then see what kind of ownership laws make sense as we conduct well-grounded, impartial research.


This has really become part of a larger issue of safety vs freedom. Much has been spoke about the immigration ban coming from the White House, ostensibly a measure to protect us from terrorism. There were several things shared online that highlight the flaws in this approach. First, an article from the New York Times that calls into question the specifics of countries from which immigrants are banned. Then some statistics tweeted from (of all people) Kim Kardashian.

Aside from the fact that the immigrants pose virtually no danger (immigrants from the countries that are on the banned list have been responsible for zero deaths on American soil, whereas countries under no restriction provided convicted terrorists such as those involved in 9-11), there are far more pressing issues of safety.

You guys, the Republicans just passed a measure through the House rolling back a ban on gun purchases by severely mentally ill people. Seriously, I don't even know how to get my point across here. Americans shoot and kill 5,000 of their own countrymen for every American killed by a terrorist. Why can't we use fact-based information for a discussion?

I may post something else about my feelings on Trump in general, but for now this is all I can say without going into some sort of manic state.