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Gun Shy

If guns don’t kill people Why are so many people dead Another moms child shot in the head Blackboards white chalk splattered in Red A teacher killed For something she said Victim after victim Demons need to be fed On violence they’ve been bred We shouldn’t need Metal detectors at School A place of innocence has become cruel What happened to the Golden Rule Have we all taken on the role of a fool A gun isn’t just a harmless tool It’s a weapon of mass destruction and the most potent hate fuel. I am scared by the NRA narrative The power and control amendment imperative Off to Washington lobbyist slobs More and more gun factory jobs Guns don’t lead to the collaborative Weapons should not be the normative. We have got in the habit of not looking up above No gun has ever led to acts of love. So until politicians become brave Our society is a slave Problems grow over time We shouldn’t be so naive Profiteers shouldn’t determine what we believe In the end there are to many lives to grieve.

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Karen Jones

Date: 3/26/2024 6:17:00 AM

Powerful poem making valid points!

Joe Maverick

Date: 7/25/2022 11:39:00 PM

Hi Richard, from what I see there are many Realitys to look at.' One guns were used to Gain freedom ( for a while in the U S ) another Is the glamour of violence in the movie Industry who would mostly on the st asked as individuals, say ban guns.? The other reality is The view that billions of $ of arms are being Sent into Ukraine with much mention of how This is going to fix things.? Going back to the 1st point on into the 1940s to 60s how many mass Shootings did you get in the states.?

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/27/2022 10:14:00 PM

A thought provoking response. Thanks for reading.

Cecilia Macfarlane

Date: 2/3/2022 1:41:00 PM

So many innocent lives lost. Great write. Congratulations on your well deserved POTD. Hugs

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/27/2022 10:15:00 PM

Thanks so much.

Scott Thirtyseven

Date: 2/2/2022 3:21:00 AM

Richard, you remind me how nice it is to live in a community where guns are subject to tighter restrictions. May your gun lobby loose strength.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/27/2022 10:16:00 PM

Not mine, I live in Canada. Thanks for reading.

Brian Sambourne

Date: 1/11/2022 3:20:00 PM

A strong write, indeed, that in fine rhyming form drives home the carnage cost from gun ownership + use. Countries with tough gun control laws simply do not have the mass shootings the US does. Once, while in Florida, mid-70's, a gun was put to my head while I manned the motel check in desk. Terrifying. The thug pulled the trigger after removing my glasses. It jammed. A gun shop was located nearby + on so many other blocks. Be well. And congratulations Richard! Brian

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/27/2022 10:17:00 PM

A moving response. I’m sorry about your direct experience.

Mandy Tams The Golden Girl

Date: 12/12/2021 12:51:00 AM

wow, so well written Richard. I am sorry I have not commented before I have only just looked in my inmail box. I thought I was forgotten on soup but I see I am wrong and this is so true and so sad. x

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/16/2021 3:04:00 PM

Hi Mandy, I too haven’t been here that much. I started a poetry site on Facebook and it’s kept me busy. It’s call The Inspired Poetry Project. You would recognize some of the participants.

Anne E Sangster - K

Date: 11/16/2021 9:07:00 PM

You covered it all Richard. Unfortunately we live in a world that is governed by greed and fear. As others have said. A very powerful poem. Cheers my friend :-)

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 11/18/2021 12:22:00 PM

Thanks Anne. ;0)

Paghunda Zahid

Date: 11/4/2021 12:22:00 AM

Powerful, and thoughtful. I agree. And I am afraid people will use knifes etc if guns are banned. But in this case at least the killer would have to go near the victim, victim might defend himself. The killer might be seen and controlled and kneeled down by other folks. But guns are destruction. In seconds, it takes dozens lives. Must be banned.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 11/18/2021 12:22:00 PM

Very true.

Nancy Kaufman

Date: 10/20/2021 6:00:00 AM

Richard this is a powerful write and I am totally in agreement with you. I am fearful that a culture that values a powerful lobby over safety and even the safety of our vulnerable children, the future, won't meet a positive outcome which is truly disheartening. Belated congratulations on potd.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 11/18/2021 12:29:00 PM

Amen sister. Well said.

Kenneth Cheney

Date: 10/18/2021 12:50:00 PM

Richard you have written a thoughtful and powerful poem. I would add from my perspective blaming guns for violence is logically flawed. Would we blame water for drowning deaths or a lynching death on a rope and a tree. I understand the desire to make the tragic killing stop and so the idea of outlawing guns has appeal. I would argue that we can not fix a problem that is already against the law by passing more laws. Remember it is governments that have killed millions in the last century.

Kenneth Cheney
Date: 10/21/2021 2:58:00 PM

Expanding the conversation to world history and seeing a broader picture of the rationale of why the second amendment is vitally important. In the last 100 years it is estimated that 6 million Jews were killed at the hands of the German government. 10-20 million Russians died under the Communist Government in the Soviet Union. 40-70 million Chinese dead under Communist regime in that country. In each situation the citizens were unarmed and powerless to fight back. While the violence and murders we see are all tragic. Taking away guns is historically a far greater evil. The US government is far from innocuous. The record of abuse against Native Americans and African Slaves testifies loudly to that. The framers of the Constitution in the manner in which they worded the amendment I believe understood that the only method of deterring an abusive government is an armed citizenry capable of fighting back.

Arthur Vaso
Date: 10/20/2021 12:05:00 AM

Have a look at this Dick, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rR9IaXH1M0&ab_channel=JimJefferies

Arthur Vaso
Date: 10/19/2021 11:57:00 PM

And yet less guns, less deaths, the logic is not flawed at all, we need water, it serves many purposes, guns serve only one, is sad the USA suffers so much death based on flawed logic and extremism. Outlawing guns doesn't have appeal, it works, sadly so many have blinders to the facts. Of course anyone who argues we have the right to guns could say the same for many other weapons.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/19/2021 10:18:00 PM

Thanks for a civil conversation, I respect that.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/19/2021 10:17:00 PM

I can see you have given this issue lots of thought. Still the argument falls a bit flat. I don’t believe your founding fathers had Assault rifles in mind when they wrote the constitution. Gun owners do not want any restrictions. Add crazy to gun access and you have mass killings. We licence and train people to drive cars but for some reason guns are off limits.

David Smith

Date: 10/15/2021 2:11:00 PM

I feel your pain. Most who live here in NZ praying for a solution. We are reeling from the number of shootings here which seem to be gang and drug related. Our Police are doing their best but they are not backed up by politicians who allow gangs to form, knowing that to join one selling your soul is the price of entry. I posted a poem 'So you think gangs are cool' to make people think twice before thinking them OK in any way. I think this poem has changed more than 1 mind. Thanks David in NZ

Arthur Vaso
Date: 10/20/2021 12:04:00 AM

That's why banning guns is a great idea, a gang running around with spears and arrows is less dangerous. Lets take a gander at your neighbors who seem to have gotten the idea!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rR9IaXH1M0&ab_channel=JimJefferies

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/17/2021 6:09:00 AM

What a great response David. Thanks for reading and adding your thoughts. ;0)

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 10/14/2021 8:49:00 AM

And I say that it is do to morals being taken out of our schools, and we keep piling on utter nonsense. Used to be rare, these shootings. The media doesn’t help either. The next excuse is they are bullied. I know plenty people who were bullied that did not off their classmates. Still this is a great and worthy POTD! lol…now you know, little old opinionated me a little better. Hugs - Kim

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/15/2021 7:56:00 AM

I think morals have to start at home and then they will spill over to the schools. I like your comment. Thanks for adding your thoughts. Hugs Rick.

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 10/13/2021 8:23:00 PM

Hello Richard ... humanity the world over seem to be getting angrier and more defiant of the law. I sincerely hope it's not leading another world war. Of course that means more guns and bigger profits for manufacturers who have no scruples - thanks Richard - Lindsay

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/15/2021 7:57:00 AM

Yep you got that right. Very sad state of affairs. Thanks for your visit and comment.

Alexis Y.

Date: 10/12/2021 7:36:00 AM

WoW! Richard, I agree with your overall message. “ Guns don't kill people, people do”. I know people that I grew up with that are dead because of gun violence. As usual excellent verse, with a powerful and revalant message. Congratulations on getting the poem of the day. It was well deserved-Alexis

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/15/2021 7:58:00 AM

Thanks Alexis, people will kill people we just don’t want to give them the tools to kill mass amounts of people at one time. Very strange days. Thanks for visiting and commenting.

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 10/11/2021 9:31:00 AM

I had a feeling, I was about to comment but came to POTD first, congratulations Rick, this is striking powerful poetry - well done and enjoy the honor bestowed on you. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/11/2021 10:02:00 PM

Thanks Jennifer. Hugs Rick.

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 10/11/2021 5:26:00 AM

Congrats on POTD. Wonderful writing. God bless you always, Love, Gina

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/11/2021 6:41:00 AM

Thanks Gina, blessings to you as well.

Arthur Vaso

Date: 10/10/2021 11:41:00 PM

Back to wish you congrats on POTD!!!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/11/2021 6:40:00 AM

Thanks buddy.

Warren Doll

Date: 10/10/2021 7:20:00 PM

Richard, Congratulations on POTD. Well written about a subject requiring more attention. All the best~ Warren

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/11/2021 6:41:00 AM

Thanks Warren. Best to you as well.

Mark Koplin

Date: 10/10/2021 7:19:00 PM

Congratulations on your POTD!! I’m a responsible gun owner, unfortunately there are many who are not.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/11/2021 6:43:00 AM

I agree there are responsible gun owners. I feel there needs to be guardrails in place.

Eve Roper

Date: 10/10/2021 6:48:00 PM

So very true, Richard, congratulation on POTD.

Gershon Wolf

Date: 10/10/2021 3:22:00 PM

The proliferation of guns, I fear, is like the spread of electronic devices. America is not going to go back to the 'the way things were' before either armed urban camps or our computerized existence. What to do? Ask King Solomon. ~ gw

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/10/2021 4:34:00 PM

From what I understand a majority of Americans are in favour of some level of gun control. Politicians are not listening to the people. A sad state of affairs.

Jan Allison

Date: 10/10/2021 3:06:00 PM

makes me so glad we have few people with guns here on our Island, many congrats on POTD:-) hugs Jan xx

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/10/2021 4:32:00 PM

I’m glad to hear that.

Mike Gentile

Date: 10/10/2021 12:06:00 PM

My Bravo and congratulations as well Richard! The violence must stop!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/10/2021 12:09:00 PM

Thanks Mike, I agree.

Karen Jones

Date: 10/10/2021 11:56:00 AM

Wow what an important poetic stand against NRA. Bravo and congrats on winning potw.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/10/2021 12:05:00 PM

Thanks Karen. ;0)

L Milton Hankins

Date: 10/10/2021 9:35:00 AM

I knew this one was a winner, Richard. Just coming back to say "Congratulations" on your P.O.T.D. Well-earned, well-deserved! As long as there are people in the world who believe as we do (and all who commented) I feel there is hope!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/10/2021 12:05:00 PM

Thanks for dropping back. ;0)