I bought a gun years ago. Here in the West, that is common. I took a course on the proper care and handling of a gun. The course included teaching on when to resort to the use of a gun for protection and the implications of doing so.

I was just thinking: "What would make me shoot someone?" Oh, I think I could do it.

As I look around at the things of value that I have, I can't imagine that the threat of losing all of it would seem sufficient reason to end another's life. Especially if the intruder were a youngster. That young life would be worth so much more than all I ever had, or ever will have. (Easy for me to say, I suppose, since I don't have a lot.)

To think of stopping a beating heart - for ever. Unnecessarily.

If a child falls down a well, the entire nation holds its breath and spares no expense to rescue the endangered one.

I will never again look at a 17 year old boy in the same way. I won't take for granted the rise and fall of his chest as he moves and breathes.