Girl, 13, Who Wrote Essay on Gun Violence Is Killed by Stray Bullet

No. Honestly being on reddit makes my head hurt with all the gun warriors, and it makes me frustrated that it shapes perception of Americans. I never live in fear for my personal safety, or worry about getting shot. I don't own a gun, I live alone, and I've never once thought about getting one. I don't know anyone around me now that owns a gun, and I split my time between two major cities.

I grew up in the midwest and gun use was minimal, but a lot of people had them in their house for hunting, etc. Everyone had them locked up and out of sight. I know a nice guy from high school who went to Afghanistan and now that he is back, has turned into this really paranoid guy. Has to conceal carry everywhere he goes and lives in fear of something happening to his family. There's literally no threat at all and he can't even go to the corner store without being strapped. I like this guy a lot - but he seems to have some sort of hero complex. Personally I think he wants to be a martyr or something, he likes the idea of "taking down" bad guys. He was recently talking about how he wants another tour of duty.

I honestly feel like I'm in a parallel universe sometimes. When I was talking to him I asked him whether our hometown is violent now or something and he was all "everywhere is more violent now." What? You live in a safe area, you don't need a gun, you want one because it makes you feel powerful. It's really hard for me to understand.

/r/news Thread Parent Link - nytimes.com