Today my first story about American women gun owners was published on The Broad Side, an online women’s opinion magazine.
I’m grateful to the women gun owners and others who generously shared their personal stories for this post. Their impassioned narratives inspire me.
You know that Titanic feeling you get the moment you realize you may have hit the tip of an iceberg?
I’m astounded that my informal request to hear from women who own guns is still yielding heartfelt responses. It’s as if women gun owners haven’t been asked to comment on our country’s current gun debate. Or, if they have been asked, their perspectives have largely been ignored.
I don’t own a gun, but the research I’ve done so far about gun rights gives me pause. What if I want or need a gun in the future and can’t get one because the government says so?
What if, by not exercising my Second Amendment right to bear arms, I inadvertently jeopardize that right for my fellow citizens like the law-abiding women in my article, not to mention for myself, my son, and generations of Americans yet to come?
Our Founding Fathers (and Mothers) must be rolling over in their graves right about now.
My head is spinning with story ideas to follow (including plans for a photo essay of all the wonderful pictures the women gun owners sent me). But for today, I ask you to click over to The Broad Side to read Women Gun Owners Shoot Straight About Firearms, Violence, Second Amendment. Whether you are pro-guns or pro-gun control, I’d appreciate your thoughtful and respectful comments, and I’d covet your shares of the post.
The Broad Side admittedly skews left. Publishing an article like this is a big step for them, and I admire their courage to do so. I hope you’ll join me in demonstrating how listening to different perspectives on controversial topics is one of the best ways to ensure the health of our republic.
Please read:
Way to present some clearly forgotten facts. I don’t own a gun but know how to shoot- I agree that everyone should be exposed to proper gun handling early on. If you know what it can do you respect it.
Thanks, Gretchen. The women I connected with for this post inspire me to become more educated!
Excellent article Aimee!
Thank you, Chris!
Aimee, you can ask your husband about my wife Penny and her gun ownership. When we were in high school she beat grown men at the trap ranges while bringing in state and national titles. She even graced the cover the national trap shooters trade magazine at the time.
I thought the article was very well put together and I especially appreciated the focus on educating our children about gun safety.
Thank you, Eric. And I definitely want to talk to Penny!