Wandering Along the Path: Right Speech

I wrote an editorial last week about gun safety, and I keep forgetting to see if it got in my local paper.  It was definitely a cathartic act to write and send it.  I talked about my grandchildren, and safety in schools and public places.  But I remember when we lived in Colorado, being so surprised when my kids would play at a friend's house, and when I came to pick him or her up, there was a rifle rack in the front hall or bows and arrows on the carpet.  I was terrified.  And no parent ever thought to let me know that they kept guns in their house, or reassure me that they were locked away.  It was like having Cheerios in the cupboard, ordinary.  Of course I don't know here who has a gun and if it's safely locked away, but I don't have children at home any longer, so I worry about the culture more than the neighbors.  I'm sure my brother had guns because he wanted to defend himself, but they were right there, available, when he had a discouraging thought about his health.  Easily accessible, and rather than call someone, he ended it all in the few seconds it took him to lift the handgun and fire.  Guns aren't safe.  They weren't invented for safety.  They were invented to kill.  I hope voters consider the safety of having no checks and balances for gun owners, and no vetting of those who should not be able to buy them.  Even one gun less is a life possibly saved.