Concord Minute Man by Daniel Chester French
The Second Amendment to our Constitution allowed for a well-regulated militia to keep and bear arms to protect the State. In 2008, a court case ruled that individuals could keep guns at home for self protection. They were no longer just to be used for hunting or protection against an enemy of the government.
Of course, weapons have vastly changed and improved since our Founders wrote the Second Amendment. They never envisioned AR-15s, or any other assault weapon being used by civilians for sport, much less inside one’s home, or on a public street for “protection”.
On June 4, 2021, a judge in the California Southern District overturned a 30 year old law, banning the use of assault weapons in the state. In his decision, the judge likened the AR-15 to a Swiss Army knife. WHAT? I am pleased to note his ruling was subsequently overturned by the whole court. Mass shootings are so commonplace in the U.S. right now that we are almost numb to them. It is revolting.
Almost exactly 10 years ago, the Supreme Court ruled that individuals had the right to carry weapons to protect themselves and their property. This opened the floodgate to today’s mess.
In my junior high school, all eighth graders went away for a camp experience for a few days. Among our many activities, we each had an opportunity to shoot a rifle, under strict supervision. The kickback was so strong, it nearly knocked me down. That was my only time firing a weapon. I was not interested in ever trying again. I have a great distaste for firearms of any sort.
On March 10, 1966, I had a personal encounter with a rifle. It was terrifying. 10pm was my bedtime, but I turned out my lights a bit late that night. My bedroom was at the front of the house, overlooking the street, so the lights going out were visible. My parents sat in the den on the ground floor below me. At the time, my father owned a Chrysler dealership, which was in turmoil. He had caught his general manager skimming funds from the business and fired him a week earlier.
Just after I turned out my lights, I heard four loud bangs. I turned on my light and ran to the window, which was stupid, because with the light on I couldn’t see out. I heard a car speed away. I turned the light off again and shouted downstairs, “Is everything OK?” I heard noise. My father called the police. Sirens screamed.
I put on my bathrobe and came down to inspect the scene. Four bullets had whizzed through the front window of our house, through the living room walls into the den, where my parents sat. My parents were unharmed. They couldn’t be seen through the large picture window, as they were in the room behind the living room, but the bullets had screamed through the room where they sat. One bounced off the fireplace hood. The dent had to be bumped out. One penetrated the back, outside wall. We never found that one. The paint on the walls of that room had a texture and if you looked closely, you could always see the repairs that were made to the holes in the walls where the bullets entered. The livingroom glass was replaced.
We were all shaken up. The police guarded our house for a few days. Huntington Woods is a small, quiet neighborhood, one mile square, adjacent to the Detroit Zoo. To this day, it remains lovely and desirable. Things like this just did not happen here.
My father always suspected his fired employee. He was questioned, but no gun was found, so no arrest was ever made. The shooting was never solved. I never forgot the feeling of being fired on, being terrified, thinking I might find my parents’ bloodied bodies when I came down those steps.
I see that scene repeated on the news night after night. It only grows worse.
March 14, 2015; 49 years later, visiting with cousins (photo by cousin Jane Akiba). My bedroom is the window on the upper right. The living room window, through which the bullets were fired, is on the ground floor, on the left.
Betsy PfauRetired from software sales long ago, two grown children. Theater major in college. Singer still, arts lover, involved in art museums locally (Greater Boston area). Originally from Detroit area.
What a terrifying experience, Betsy! Obviously, glad that no one was hurt, but still…. It reminds me that, though (thankfully) I never had to deal with it during my 45-year legal career, one of the issues frequently assessed in employment law seminars I attended was the risk of violence from disgruntled employees or former employees. (Which also reminds me: has there ever been a “gruntled” employee?)
And thank you, too, for the brief history of gun control — or lack thereof. Not surprisingly, I very much share your views. And share the pessimism you express in your last sentence.
And yet repeated polls show the majority of Americans in fact do want some greater forms of gun control. But we lack the political will to enact them. And I believe that will continue to be the case even if the NRA — a criminal enterprise no less than the Trump Organization — is legally dismantled.
Sigh…..
Yes, John, unfortunately, I too, am skeptical that we will be able to pass reasonable gun control laws. Very disheartening. Every time I see some new, terrible story on the news, I yell at the TV – “sure, we need MORE guns to protect ourselves, NOT!”
It truly was terrifying to have my own home shot up all those years ago. It only adds to the unpleasant memories I have of that house.
What a harrowing experience, Betsy! Having been held up at gunpoint (as detailed in my story Laurel Canyon for the Close Calls prompt) I can relate to the first person experience, and thinking about what might have been.
We’re up in arms here on the left side of the aisle: We need major gun control reform. And, it’s hard to imagine it will ever come to pass with the ever-growing and increasingly deep division in our nation.
I agree; I don’t think we will be able to get the gun control we so desperately need. It is criminal.
OMG, Betsy, what a horrible experience. You had first-hand exposure to gun violence, something I suspect most of us have not. Thanks for writing your history of gun control. It reminded me that things were not always as bad as they are now. I can’t see a way out of the mess we are in now. Where to begin? No episode of gun violence, even the killing of young children, seems to move the needle. Depressing.
Yes, it was so frightening, but what is going on now is senseless and horrid. I agree, nothing moves the needle.
That is a frightening story, and your parents are lucky, because they could easily have been hit. The feeling of violation and danger must have been traumatic. Drive-by shootings are certainly more of a common occurrence in other neighborhoods, and so are the stories of unlucky people who are collateral victims. The feeling of peace and safety is increasingly rare, and we learn to live with the resultant stress, but it is possible to do better with some decent gun control. We may have had nuclear war drills as kids (“duck and cover”–really?), but didn’t have “shooter at school” drills needed because it is a regular thing. Yikes.
Our peace was shattered, Khati, but we did move on. The fact that kids today have “active shooter drills” is both sad and appalling.
That is a very interesting story.
I don’t know why the NRA, the people on the right, and even the Supremes have failed to read the entire Second Amendment, including the part about a “well regulated militia”.
The Second Amendment doesn’t say anything about hunting, although at the time it was probably recognized that people would need to have a way of feeding their families. And it doesn’t say anything about protecting your house and property.
There has been some discussion recently to the effect that the real reason for the Second Amendment was to guarantee that southern slaveowner’s had the ability to put down slave rebellions, and so they insisted that it be included in the Bill of Rights.
So how about we get a court to rule that people do have the right to own a weapon, provided that they take part in a well-regulated militia, including training, regular meetings, etc. But not a “militia” the purpose of which is to overthrow the US government.
I believe there have been more recent court rulings that broaden the definition beyond the “well-regulated militia”, and these days (even 50 years ago when I grew up in Michigan) “militias” are crazy men. Guns are out of control and the fact that the ban on assault weapons was allowed to lapse is just astonishing. I hope the NY DA does convict Wayne LaPierre. That would be sweet vindication, but won’t change this country’s love affair with guns, I’m afraid.
Oh, my, Betsy, what a terrible experience for your family. I tremble to imagine what might have happened had the shooter possessed some sort of automatic weapon. Couldn’t agree more with all your sentiments and opinions in the story. While I like San Jose’s recent creative approach to gun insurance, I’m afraid it will be a bandaid solution.
It was a very scary night, Marian. Clearly seared into my memory. I just don’t understand why this country is so in love with guns. The rest of the world is astonished that we can’t control ourselves. I am too.
Oh Betsy, thankfully no one was hurt but it was too close for comfort, what an awful experience..
Thankfully I’ve not been touched personally by gun violence, but on our weekend drives to Connecticut we pass the sign for Sandy Hook. That always hurts.
I, too, was very moved by Sandy Hook, Dana. I remember that day all too well. I had lunch with Chris Bedford, then the new director of the Rose. We were both stunned as the story broke. Just heart-breaking.
Very powerful story, Betsy! We both mentioned that crazy judge in San Diego who thought an AR-15 was like a Swiss Army knife. But the shots fired at your house made gun danger very personal to you! And how interesting that in eighth grade you had the chance to shoot a rifle. Now I’m regretting that I never did when I was young, although I certainly don’t want to do it now!
I noticed that you also mentioned the crazy San Diego judge, Suzy. Good grief! Glad he was overruled. But yes, living through that shooting ordeal as a child was very scary. I never was interested in guns, but that incident sealed the deal.
My gawd, Betsy, what a terrifying experience. The trauma must have been impactful for the whole family. Reading through the accounts of this well-chosen prompt, I’m reminded again, as I am daily, of what I’m calling gun pollution.
The date is etched in memory, Charles. We were, indeed, all traumatized by the event. For a while I blamed myself, as if my turning out my lights had been some sort of signal. I know that’s silly, but I felt that way at the time.
Gun pollution is a good term.
Ouch! I hope you found some trauma support for this incident. Blaming yourself is not silly, but it deserved some attention!
I think it was a momentary thing. I didn’t get any help and did get over the guilt, realizing that I wasn’t responsible. It just felt like it, since it happened the moment I turned out the lights.
Got it. I know you’re pretty savvy about all things psychologique!
Thanks!
I am actually glad that I have not a single firearms memory or experience worth a story!
Good for you.