I Wish I Had Listened

by Bryan Clifford

I used to own guns.  In fact, I was a very enthusiastic shooter at one point. I thoroughly enjoyed going shooting, and teaching my friends the fine art of hitting your target. I was a hunter as well, although I didn't enjoy that nearly as much as I did going out into the woods, setting up camp with some friends and having competitions as to who was the most prolific shooter. I remember carrying my .40 with me wherever I went, living in New Hampshire knowing that my state was very supportive of my right to own and carry a firearm with me at all times. I felt very secure going out with my wife and kids, knowing that some thug couldn't hurt me or my family because we had the means to protect ourselves. Living in NH, we knew that the odds of ever needing a gun for protection were slim indeed, because at that time it was a very safe state. It was still nice knowing I was prepared - just in case. I remember looking around the world and feeling sad for all of those Countries who basically controlled their populace by removing their means of resisting against oppression. I saw Countries like Australia, England, Canada, South Africa, and the like basically ban guns, confiscate them, and put law abiding people in jail. I shivered at the thought, "but not here," I told myself, "never in America."

OH, I was a voter as well. Yes, I always voted Republican, well at least almost always. There were some very good ones out there, but for the most part it was always the lesser of two evils. I remember the elections of 2000 like they were yesterday. I remember feeling so good knowing that G.W. Bush was running, finally giving us a chance to overturn some gun laws. I hated Mr. Gore and everything he stood for, and was willing to do anything to see him defeated. Of course I heard some people talking about how Bush was as bad as Gore, only on a smaller scale, the election of Bush would only erode our freedoms at a slower pace. In the end we would still lose our right to bear arms, along with others, I thought these people were foolish. Yes, I remember thinking of voting for Phillips, Browne, or maybe even a write in for Keyes, but damnit I wanted to beat Gore. I remember when Bush won, and how we all went out that night, and I felt damn good to be an American once again. So here we were in all of our glory, with the majority in the House, and the Senate, and with a leader who would never let anymore gun laws pass on his watch. So I just sat back and took it all in, smiling as to how lucky we were to finally have a person we could rely on.

Then it happened. Little by little, some laws started going through that almost made Gore seem like a good option. "All in the name of the children" I started to hear. "We will not ban guns, or hurt the hunters," I kept hearing. Of course the media started saying all of America was obviously now in tune with more gun laws since the Republicans are running things now, and these laws are being passed. I saw more and more of my friends just giving up, thinking they were all alone out there, with neither major party to turn to. Sure there were some in the house, and the Senate that stood up for us, but they were indeed a minority when all of the money going to the NRA, GOA, and alike started disappearing. I found myself wondering how things have gone so bad so soon. 

Then I remember Bush's dad when he was President and sent us to "war" claiming that we are now part of a true Global Government, and I thought maybe the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. I thought to myself if I had to do it again, I would've voted differently.

Then that day that I thought would never happen, happened. And it wasn't only the handguns they came after, it was all guns, and I had 90 days to turn mine in. "So," I thought, "finally Americans will wake up and do something about this." Fight back, take their Country back, institute a new form of Government...but not a whimper. Sure, there were some "dissidents", but they were quickly rounded up and incarcerated. I thought to myself "how in the world did the Government know where most gun owners were?", but I was informed that basically since the 60s they had some sort of registration in place, and since the new background checks given to us via Brady Law they definitely had a great idea as to where we all were and what we had. Most gun owners - including myself - sheepishly turned our guns in. 

I did keep one handgun, however, which I knew they had no way of knowing about, but the rest were gone. I knew that I still had one left to protect my home, my family, and myself, and if I needed it I would deal with the consequences of having it after I saved our lives. I also still had about a thousand rounds of ammo left, so I was ok. Of course I was ok. So one day I went out shooting with some friends, deep into the White Mountains, and I came home being sure to obey every traffic law known to man. Of course in the age of gun free America, the police had an absolute right to stop you for any reason and search your car without probable cause. Things like the 4th Amendment were now obsolete as well. So I made it home to a wife who wasn't very happy with me taking the risk of going shooting. But, as I said, I was an avid shooter, and nothing gave me more pleasure than going out with the guys and gals and having a healthy competition. I put the gun on the kitchen table, and got ready to clean it, opened the blinds, and the window, and started to clean the one tool that I had to protect myself, and my family, and even my neighbors if need be.

Unfortunately one of my neighbors didn't realize what I would've done for him, and when he saw me cleaning my gun, he called the Police. Within minutes the door was kicked down, gun was taken, and my wife and I carted off to jail. Kids put in protective services. I sit here in my cell right now, wondering what I have done wrong, how in the hell can I be here. I've always obeyed the law, and yet as we speak, some drug dealer or other criminal is out there robbing, murdering, or raping, and in all probability will get nothing more than a slap on the wrist. So here I sit facing ten years in jail, and facing the very real possibility of not seeing my wife or kids for a very long time. What did I do? 

Well, to put it simply, I voted for the wrong guy; I thought to myself that a third party vote was a wasted vote. I simply voted for the wrong guy. 

I just pray I can someday see my kids again, and be able to give my wife a hug. But of course I can't pray too loud, or the CO's might hear me. Praying in public is definitely not a thing that is welcomed anymore. 

I wish I had listened.