Those my age have lived through some difficult social and political times. Our parents and some of us couldn’t eat in certain restaurants or drink from public water fountains. We’ve marched for the right to vote and to even have a seat at the front of the bus. We observed the Supreme Court say that women have a right to choose the life she conceived or abort it. Most recently, we’ve watched decisions being made about children’s safety and women’s health be deeply intertwined with government politics cloaked under Christianity.
The same government that didn’t want to enforce mask-wearing during a pandemic, where over a million died, somehow feels they have a right to tell women what they can and can’t do with their bodies. The same government that makes it possible for an eighteen-year-old to purchase assault rifles, who then later kill babies with that rifle, hides behind the politics of protecting their constitutional rights. Under the disguise of Christianity, the same government turned the other cheek again and again when one of their own committed adultery, violated women, mocked disabled people, and tried to overthrow the democracy of this country.
Abortion and gun rights are emotional issues. The closer we get to a presidential election these two topics are fuel for politicians. Getting legislative gun reform passed through Congress is difficult. It’s not just lobbyists for the National Rifle Association and their money that’s stopping gun reform. It’s the principle of gun rights shrouded behind the 2nd amendment. The NRA’s stronghold on lawmakers increased after a presidential candidate attended an NRA convention while running for office. Once in office, Donald Trump was instrumental in propelling gun rights into some of the darkest places this country has seen and opened the doors to white nationalists.
Without a doubt, many Americans, especially women, are upset about the Supreme Court’s decision to reverse the Constitutional 1973 ruling of Roe vs Wade. Never has the Supreme Court made a ruling and then have it overturned by presiding Justices. This unprecedented decision happened five months before the next presidential election. Whether you believe in a woman’s right to choose or are pro-life, it’s doubtful your stance changed when this decision was rendered 49 years ago or reversed several weeks ago. The argument that women have a right to choose and the right to privacy under the 14th Amendment started in the state of Texas in 1972. Fast forward, to 2022, the state of Texas brought the law back to the Supreme Court for the reversal of Roe vs Wade. This unprecedented decision, by justices who swore on a bible to defend the Constitution of America, used their Christian faith to reverse the law they swore to uphold.
In everything there is a season and a time for every purpose. There is a place in this country for guns. There is no purpose and reason for assault rifles to be in the hands of an eighteen-year-old. Especially when those guns are used to kill babies. Such in the case of Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut or Rob Elementary in Texas, worshipers at church in South Carolina, or families attending a 4th of July parade in Illinois. When lawmakers are posing with their children and assault rifles on their Christmas cards and social media platforms, there is an overwhelming need to reform the 2nd Amendment.
Gun rights and abortions are emotional issues that everyone has an opinion on. Families impacted by gun violence need more than heartfelt sympathies from lawmakers who took an oath to protect citizens in this country. It should not be easier for an 18-year-old to purchase an assault weapon than a 65-year-old to purchase Sudafed for a sinus infection. We need a change in our laws, and elected officials.
The Traveler Weekly 