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G.U.N.s don’t kill people … do they?

Charlie Kirk was murdered and many people including our president have vigorously blamed the ideas and beliefs (the ideology) of liberals. This, they say, radicalized the shooter. Hence, these ideas should be silenced.

Well, here is an argument against that reasoning that I hope will resonate with people.

There are, for all of us, ideas and beliefs that we disagree with and even find offensive. Let’s define these as “Ghastly and Unpleasant Notions.” For example: For me a G.U.N. is “some people are better/worse than others just because of their race or nationality.” I am a Quaker and believe that there is that of God in every person and so we are all of us equal. To think otherwise is a ghastly and unpleasant notion.

So here’s the thing. Our constitution guarantees our right to have Ghastly and Unpleasant Notions. It’s the First Amendment. More important than the Second Amendment since they put it first after all. It allows all citizens the freedom of speech and the press. No laws can restrict this freedom.

It is important to realize that it wasn’t a G.U.N. that killed Charlie, it was a person. G.U.N.s don’t kill people, people kill people. An idea or media message or shouted angry slogan or mantra … these cannot not kill and are protected by our constitution.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Charlie Kirk; his killing, and political violence in general, are always wrong. We must love everyone – no exceptions.

Eric Krieckhaus

Durango