Gun Violence Is My Story

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Gun violence affects a lot of people; it’s not just a story on TV or radio or the Internet. To me, it’s more personal. I’ve lost a lot of friends to gun violence. I was having a conversation with a friend on 17th and East Capitol streets, and no sooner did we shake hands and I turned the corner, I heard gunshots and I knew it was him, getting shot. An SUV pulls up and guns him down; a minute more of conversation, and it would have been both of us.

That wasn’t the first time. I’ve had bad experiences with guns, but this was an eye-opener and a message from God.

The friend was a brother, father and son, so gun violence affects more than the victim – it has a ripple effect on many. People kill people, not guns.

Gun Violence affects more than the victim.

Guns save lives as well as take them. But the negative effect has more impact and sells more guns. Guns are a great hobby, too; shooting for sport can be a great mental exercise and skill-

builder. Hunting can feed your family or protect you. Also, a right to bear arms is a constitutional right.

But seeing someone you know dead in your face is a powerful experience.

Damon Smith is a writer and vendor for Street Sense.


Issues |Civil Rights


Region |Washington DC

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