The shooting of nine black worshippers at their church during a prayer meeting is an obscenity beyond words. Once more, a hate-filled loser opened fire on innocent people, assembled to worship God, in this case. The admitted killer, Dylann Roof, says he was trying to rid the world of blacks and to start a black-white race war.
It has not been disclosed clearly, but it is known that the father of the obviously mentally-challenged 21-year-old shooter gave him money to buy a .45 caliber handgun several weeks ago. Apparently, there was no background check on him when he bought the gun. Now, the lives of nine extraordinary Christians are gone and their families are haunted by the horror of their church being turned into a slaughterhouse.
I believe guns should be carried only by persons who require them in their jobs, such as policemen and prison guards. Growing up in rural circumstances like I did -- regularly eating squirrels, rabbits, quail, and doves for supper -- rifles were necessary tools. Most of us at that time possessed .22s, .410s, .12 gauges and deer rifles. But, we didn't carry them around with us everywhere, like in town. We carried them with us when we were hunting to put food on the table, or if there was a possibility we might cross paths with a copperhead, a rattlesnake, or a wild boar.
I think we already have enough to carry on our person these days without bothering with guns as well. I don't expect everyone to agree with me, but I believe guns belong at a safe place in our homes, not with us in a restaurant, a movie theater, at school or at church. One reads almost every day about someone's little kid accidentally shooting his sibling, himself or a parent.
Having a gun or being able to kill should not dominate a person's thinking. Having a gun on your person means you have prepared yourself to kill someone. Occasionally, some person may be tempted to use their conveniently located weapon in an emotional exchange. (The two women shown on TV recently fighting in Walmart would probably have shot each other.)
I have no problem with learning how to hunt with a gun properly, or in knowing how to use one in combat. It is just that so many people are being shot unnecessarily these days in accidents or in various confrontations.
A nephew-in-law of mine buys every new gun that comes out, along with ammo. He has a room in his house full of them, as well as bows, arrows, and machetes. He spends more on guns and hunting trips than he does on anything else. (He had a fit because his wife spent money on some inexpensive place mats! And she earns more money than he does.)
He tried to cross a flooded stream in Texas recently and lost his new pickup, in which there were some of his fancy guns. Poor guy! I almost feel sorry for him.
Something has to be done. The main reasons for so much of the violence these days, I believe, boil down to blind, unreasonable hatred, lack of cordiality and consideration in dealing with our fellow humans, and the proliferation of guns.
Some remarks by some politicians and others are extremely disrespectful and could encourage bad behavior by mentally vulnerable people such as the shooter of the nine people in the church. Certain "code" words such as calling our president "uppity" are deliberately disrespectful, inasmuch as being "uppity" used to be what slaves were severely punished for.
Our country has lost some credibility since 9/11 because of its use of torture. Now there is even more credibility loss in the eyes of the world through such racial terroristic acts by crazies as occurred in South Carolina.
The most incredible thing happened after the killer was apprehended, confessed, and was standing before the judge. He expressed no remorse nor repentance for his massacre of the nine, although he did say the people at the prayer meeting were so nice to him that he almost changed his mind about shooting them. Then all of the families of the slain stated that they wanted to hold neither bitterness nor hatred in their hearts and would not be demanding the death penalty. Their statement to the murderer was "We forgive you. May God have mercy on your soul."
If ever prayers were needed, it is now. Violent acts based on bigotry and hatred must come to an end. We should indeed have no place for either.
-- Louis Houston is a resident of Siloam Springs. His book "The Grape-Toned Studebaker" is available locally and from Amazon.com. Send any questions or comments to [email protected] or call 524-6926. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 06/24/2015