It feels like we are living in the Old West

     The movies make it seem like living in the Old West was exciting and romantic, the gunslingers and Marshals shooting it out in the small western towns.  It was a dangerous time when everyone walked around carrying a sidearm (six-shooter) ready to shoot someone for any reason.  I'm sure it was frightening time to live. Come to think of it, does it really seem much different now?

     It's really a shame that technologically we have such great achievements in a short period of time but our treatment/respect of others does not appear to have improved at the same rate as technology.  In fact over the last year random murders and mass murders seem to have escalated.  What is wrong with our society? We live in a country that provides us many opportunities including the right to vote, the right to bear arms and the right to free speech, just to mention a few.  These are rights are provided to us by the constitution but these rights were written in 1787, and it's possible that some of these are being miss-interpreted or miss-applied in today's society.

     I think we all have a right to go to a baseball game without risking our lives, our children deserve to go to school without fear, it's our right to drive down a highway without being shot at, or go to a shopping mall without being a target in someone’s scope.  These are important rights for everyone, how could anyone disagree?

     I don't want to live in the Old West, I don't want to walk around town carrying a firearm, I don't want to be in a store when someone else is carrying a firearm, I am not against guns or gun owners but I just don't feel we need to carry them everywhere we go.  I'm not trying to take away your right to bear arms but this right should not supersede my rights to live in a safe society.  I believe we have reached a turning point and we need to do something to curb gun violence.

     I know guns don't kill people, people kill people, but something needs to change.  More guns are not the answer and history has shown that doing nothing is not the answer.  Maybe it's time to consider some responsible gun legislation to prevent people with unsound minds from getting their hands on guns.  There are things that can be done and I'm sure mistakes will be made in the process but saving lives is worth a few mistakes.  "Just Saying...."