THE GUN: AN ENEMY OR A FRIEND

When you hear the words “Power”, “Dictatorship” and “Oppression”, what comes to mind?

When you hear the sound (of gunshot): ga..ga..ga..ga..ga… what comes to mind? Terrorists? A robbery? Police brutality? A sad experience of losing a loved one? The list goes on.

Sadly, these have become the major outcomes of gun violence and the earth is overburdened by the corpses of those whose lives have been pinned down with indignation. The society is overwhelmed with the outcry of mothers whose sons would no longer return home because their lives have been taken away by some gunslingers enraged with bitter passion for vengeance. “How did we get ourselves into this mess?

”It is in our quest to protect ourselves, we have placed the power of life and death into the hands anyone. Now it seems we all live in this prison of fear because our streets are filled with gun slinging executioners. Yes, at the grip of a gun the fearful becomes fearless, the weak becomes powerful, and the insane becomes merciless

Under the wrath of ruthless hearts who couldn’t restrain themselves, the triggers have been pulled and:

Presidents were slain

Cites were turned into ruins

High schools were invaded

Children were made orphans

Parents mourned their children

Women were made widows and what is more

Graves were enriched and the earth groans as she watches us take our own.

image source: Google

As the popular line from Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s song goes, “they leave sorrow, tears and blood, (as) their regular trademark.”

I perceive that watching action movies have somehow twisted our minds that we have become so accustomed to shooting and killing; But life my friend isn’t another movie. In real life, those killed by guns are gone forever. There’s no come back

Doesn’t it scare you to know that there are 8 million new small arms and up to 15 billion rounds of ammunition produced each year?

The names of these guns bring to mind the memories of blood, hatred, terror, misery and the inhumane acts of men.

An estimated 2,000 people are injured by gunshots every single day;

At least 2 million people are living with firearm injuries around the globe.

The small arms trade is worth an estimated US$8.5 billion per year.

Ever wondered why gun producers keep lobbying against gun control in many counties across the globe? The love for money has overshadowed the love for their fellow countrymen.

Even more sad is the fact that most of these small arms are used in developing nations to terrorize and oppress individuals and communities; to silence the voices against dictatorship and bad governance.

Let us be honest, this isn’t protection. This is the monstrous cycle of death that leaves nothing but sorrow, tears and blood as a regular trademark.

° If you still have a trace of sanity in you then I beckon you to heed these words:

° Silence the gun and respect the dignity of human life

° If your life is important to you. Then why point a gun to another.

° Why take that which you cannot give.

In my short time on earth, I have learnt just this.The most powerful force isn’t that created by Pistols, battle rifles, assault rifles, machine guns, AK47, M16 rifle, MG42 or submachine gun. No.The most heroic acts were never those created from Terror attacks, Suicides or homicides, not even police shootings or war fights.The greatest act has always been and will always be: The act of Love.

See, Love is the greatest power that exists on the face of the earth and only the strong have been mighty enough to wield this power.

° Violence is for the weak my friend but you were born to love and be loved. It’s what makes us human – Inhumane is a word reserved for those who behave in a hateful manner.

Challenge yourself today to be strong enough to wield Love in the face of fierce opposition because in the end, you will always win.

Fela Anikulapo Kuti