Unloaded rifles used to ride in racks in the back windows of pickup trucks. Now, loaded guns are brought into our New Hampshire House accompanying representatives during government sessions. This past Saturday, as I sat at the intersection waiting for the light to turn green in Peterborough, I did a repeat double take seeing a man wearing a gun on his right hip. Really?
We have had Black Lives Matter vigils for two-plus years, and this man strolled along the sidewalk and crosswalks showing his power with weaponry. Beyond this being our time to express our feelings, I was not content witnessing weaponry as part of decor while walking to Dunkin’ Donuts for the noonday snack.
How do other customers and the staff feel about guns just blatantly being expressed? As someone said to me, the Wild West has come east. Is this becoming our customary decor? How uncomfortable will we become? A friend told me he would have brought his .45 if he had known the fellow was going to walk through with a weapon. I said we would all have to be taught how to shoot and provided weapons to protect ourselves. Is this the way we want to live our lives, always in defense with firing arms? What is happening to our God Bless America?
Kath Allen
Peterborough