Gun control

SOME people in this country, as well as in most of the United States of America, believe that every man has a constitutional right to own a gun for self-defense.

They even try to justify it by saying that guns do not kill people but it is people who kill people.

This political logic may be traced back to some paranoia which is an effect of certain historical events and might be a part of the birth pangs of a union of different contesting states threatened by the imperialist British colonizers, such as in the case of the USA during its initial stage of existence.

As to the argument that guns do not kill people and that it is people who kill people, that is precisely the point--people can use guns, as many do, to kill other people or even themselves in some instances.

Owning or possessing a gun, much less an armory of high powered guns and ammunition, is not an absolute right of every citizen even for self-defense, much less for hunting.

Even our laws provide essential conditions or restrictions to use self-defense as a defense. The ownership and possession thereof must be strictly controlled and monitored for the safety of the general citizenry and for the maintenance of peace and order in our society.

It must be noted that a combination of gun powder, illegal drugs and alcohol are most fatal and can untimely make human bodies no worthier than dusts.

But what is worst is when people start going around outside the sacred premises of their homes and vehicles with their guns tucked in or hidden somewhere within their attires.

This was the case during ancient times when most men in the streets carried daggers or weapons and tucked them under their sleeves.

When a Greek or a Roman would meet another man in the street, they would grasp the hand of each other and would hold it firmly until each one was certain that he was dealing with a true friend.

The actual shaking of hands was for the purpose of dislodging any weapons that might be hidden under the sleeves.

This is believed to be the origin of a handshake--not as a gesture of welcome and goodwill, but as an act of suspicion.

And this was the fatal mistake of Julius Caesar when he failed to shake the hands of the conspirators surrounding him and adulating him as his friends right at the halls of the Senate.

When Caesar saw the treacherous dagger of his most beloved friend Brutus, it was too late and he could only murmur before he fell: "Et tu, Brute?" (And you, Brutus?)

Today, we do it differently, especially at the malls and other public places. They frisk our waists and our bags.

Imagine if all of us will insist on exercising our so-called individual right to own a gun or two and carry them out for self-defense!

Shall we do what the Greeks and the Romans in ancient times used to do--to constantly shake the hands of whoever we meet on the streets and other public places or even in our own homes?

Certainly, we would not wish that our last words or dying declaration be also: "Et tu, Brute?"

Indeed, it is our honest belief and conviction from experience that guns in sight tend to draw men to fight or fire even without a fight.--Amay P. Ong Vaño, Cebu City

(epov111@yahoo.com)