Recording the past
is mostly in the hands of the elderly, people like me who are involved in
genealogical pursuits. The future is in the hands of youth.
When I see
children in Florida, and elsewhere around the continent – and the world –
rising up to protest the proliferation and acceptance of the use of guns, pleading
for more protection, demanding more responsibility from their leaders, my
confidence and hope for the future of our civilization is raised. The massive March
For Our Lives this past weekend was heartening! These important
demonstrations across the US were supported by young people from around the
world.
In Canada, gun
violence is not the problem it is in other parts of the world but we are not
immune. The proportion of crimes involving guns is much lower here, as is the
number of guns on a per capita basis. Guns are more controlled but still they
find their way into the country by illegal means and the use of them in violent
encounters is increasing. We in Canada, as in other countries, need to become
more aware of this escalating trend.
It feels shameful
to be part of a generation that seems to have come to believe the answer to
conflict, of any size and in any place, is more conflict; the answer to gun
violence if more guns; the answer to hate is more hate; the answer to distrust
is more distrust!
This is not an
indictment of all gun-owners. Many members of my family have been responsible
hunters, educated from a young age on the safe use and storage of firearms. Certainly
farmers and ranchers may have a need to protect their property and livestock
from potential perils. But there are many types of weapons designed only for
killing people and far too many of them have ended up in the hands of criminals
and unstable individuals. That cannot be justified under any circumstances.
Prospects are beginning
to look brighter as we witness teenagers with more apparent common sense than
that of their parents and grandparents. They may also have more compassion for
their fellow citizens, in their own country and around the world.
Wish your children
and grandchildren luck and give them all the support they need to build an even
better world!
