Home truths (with a dose of humor) about being armed

Congratulations Dallas, you have finally entered the prestigious list of cities advocating for more gun rights. I know folks in Houston are yawning, they have allowed guns in public places for a lot longer, whether this has anything to do with the fact that they are the most obese city in the U.S. is another thing - I digress...

Dallas' Arboretum and Botanical Garden has been pressured to take down its 'no guns' signs. You would think there was a mass of folk clamoring for this, however only one 'gun nut' cried wolf, and now kiddies will have to deal with guns hovering around them while they learn about nature - brings a tear to one's eyes. This is part of an ongoing debate in the city about where guns are allowed. According to state law, if a venue can be deemed for entertainment purposes then guns have no place. What a relief to all those heading to Six Flags amusement park, you can avoid bullets while on roller coasters. The Dallas Zoo on the other hand is fighting a battle to keep guns at bay, though pressure is mounting, I guess exotic animals can get quite annoying and guns will ease the pain.

Every time someone dares to speak out, the old chestnut of the Second Amendment is rolled out. Let's just say the word 'militia' refers to modern-day police/soldiers, not to the average citizens hell-bent on shoving killing machines down our throats. I grew up in a city of 4 million (a progressive one in that, within a Social Democratic country with strict gun laws), never once did I fear for my life, downtown was a place I could enjoy at all hours. Now I find myself in a city marketed as free, but where people frown when I mention I walk everywhere or like heading to certain areas with a lower socioeconomic level (from what they're used to). Maybe this is why people voluntarily incarcerate themselves in their vehicles, why get out and mingle with folk, when you can access banks and food by drive-thru. Here I thought being armed meant a safer society.

Take a tip from Hank (my inner American is coming out): Try walking around and catching public transit once in a while, maybe even visit the so-called shady parts of town. Let's all roam free, rather than preaching freedom whilst bearing arms. 

Footnote: the U.S. has the highest homicide rate from firearms in the Western World (even higher than Third World countries, such as Pakistan).