Vigil Honoring Victims of Gun Violence

This sketch may be rain soaked, but bad weather didn’t stop a wonderful crowd from standing in vigil to honor students and teachers killed by gun violence. If we're really a civilized society, we've got to value Public Safety over gun rights!

This vigil, which took place on Presidents Day, was organized by a 13 year old girl in our town.  I'm in awe of the students who are leading the charge for sensible gun laws. Below is the sign she posted to get the word out.

Gripping Issues

Like many Americans, I've been trying to get a handle on why gun violence is so pervasive in our society. What if you could hold the issues leading to this bloodshed in your hand? What would they be?

With nearly 300,000,000 firearms in circulation, could access to guns simply be too easy? Has gun lobby been too successful (to the detriment of greater society)?

Gun violence is plentiful in American films and TV shows. Is this just a reflection of our culture and history? Is Hollywood just giving us what we want? Or are they influencing the behavior of impressionable minds? Does this industry need to be more accountable for the content of it's product?

Bloodshed is plentiful in many video games. Do gamers become desensitized to the true horror of gun violence? Do these games make it difficult for some individuals to differentiate between fantasy and reality? Does this industry need to be more accountable for this violent content?

The father of our Constitution, James Madison, felt this document should evolve to suit each living generation. Given the technological advancements of firearms (over two centuries), is it time for the  2nd Amendment to be altered to suit today's society?

How much gun violence is the result of mental illness? Do we need to provide a broader mental health safety net to identify and help potentially unstable individuals?

How many gun crimes are driven by the desperation and frustration caused by poverty?

Without a doubt, people associate the use (and trade) of certain illegal drugs with gun violence. Is there any connection between the use of prescription drugs and violence?

In order to curb the gun violence,  is there one issue (above all) which should be addressed - or all of the above? Perhaps there's something my own biases have blinded me from seeing? I'd love your thoughts.

 You can see another of my gun-related posts here.

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Gaga for Guns

President Obama once got into hot water for stating some people "cling to their guns".  As I take in our national debate about the 2nd Amendment, I wonder how unfair that statement is? I've heard many Americans passionately defend their love of firearms. Do some gun owners have some deep primal need to hold such power in their hands? Is this born out of insecurity, distrust, or a simple need to feel safer? Why do some Americans feel incomplete without guns, almost like Linus feels without his blanket? I keep asking these questions, which inspired some strange drawings...

45 Caliber Cradle?

...embryotic chamber?

...Formula 45?

baby holster?

semi-automatic-stroller?

Happiness in a warm gun?

Pen & Ink on Strathmore drawing paper.

“I’m a Catholic deer hunter. I am happy to be clinging to my guns and my religion.”

~ Paul Ryan

"I happily cling to my guns and my God, even if President Obama thinks
that that is a simpleminded thing in his elitist heart."
~ Rick perry

"We say keep your change, we'll keep our God, our guns, our constitution."
~ Sarah Palin

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