Would Jesus Carry a Gun??? Part I | Eastern North Carolina Now

    I was peacefully shopping at our local Wal-Mart. It is a joy to be in that particular store, although I normally hate the crowds at them elsewhere. In another town where I used to live there were 2 stores.

    One was close to downtown and it was always a mess. People shouted across the store at one another. Many push and shove to get to some bargain. Nobody ever puts back the clothes they rip from the shelf. It was always a mess. The other store was about 15 miles away and totally different. There, people speak and laugh. Politely, people look at goods and put them where they found them. The whole experience was nice—especially compared to "crazy" Wal-Mart a few miles away.

    I was looking around at the children starting to get school supplies in our nice store. Others were looking for toys to use in the pool. All over people were smiling and congenial. I particularly noticed a young mother who was somewhat attractive. She had a young child sitting in her cart. She was dressed casually, but neatly. I will admit to admiring her looks. My eyes wandered down to see her jeans---and there, on her hip---WAS AN AUTOMATIC PISTOL IN A HOLSTER.

    I looked again. Surely she must be an off-duty lady cop, but NO. She was a pistol-packing young momma in a peaceful place! She didn't even have a tattoo. She wore jeans and not short shorts.

    Otherwise, she looked like a future Mrs. NC.

    I would not have been so shocked, had we been in some places of a bigger city. One I know intimately has turned into a drug and crime place where murders happen every week, if not every day. Every major gang is represented there. After midnight you could drive to an overhead bridge, get out and listen, there will be gunfire every hour. But not in my peaceful town!

    Why carry the pistol in a peaceful and safe place? Why do so with your child in the cart??? If it is safe enough to bring a small child, why strap your Glock to your side?

    I was dumbfounded. I had never seen such---except in pictures from Texas. I have always viewed NC as a cultured state in a somewhat uncultured South where racists of all colors are raging these days. Our state had one of the first tax-funded Universities. It is recognized for many fine schools and people "a cut above." "The State" magazine and programs on public TV show what a wonderful place NC is!

    Why the pistol by your side, pretty momma? You look otherwise like my sweet and attractive daughter who has 4 boys. She might carry a shock collar to control them, but a Glock???

    I so wanted to stop and chat. I was curious as to what was her thinking.

    How do you reconcile bringing your small child to a nice store, yet feel the need to pack heat?

    I am interested what some might say in the commentary below. I shall write more in the next days about what I saw and why it is necessary these days. Is it really "necessary?"

    The most important thing is that our area is a church-going place. Here so many attend church regularly and with a good fervor. A good religious discussion is not foreign here. It is a natural part of our nice place.

    Would Jesus carry a gun????