What it says about us that we consider gun shops essential

What does it say about us that, in a time when people are getting laid off, social distancing is mandated and going out in public is vehemently warned against, gun shops are considered essential businesses?

According to federal data analyzed by The New York Times, March 2020 had the second highest gun sales in U.S. history. Gun shops, for some reason, have been deemed essential businesses in many states, including West Virginia, and ammunition and small handguns are selling out across the nation.

Though no information is readily available for our area, gun stores in Beckley saw large increases in sales over the last couple months. One store owner told a reporter, “We’re selling much more ammunition than we’d be selling even for hunting season.” Another shop owner noted that he was almost out of 9mm bullets.

At the rate ammo is selling — particularly for small caliber handguns — it’s safe to assume the mad rush for weaponry has little to do with hunting. Rather, it’s driven by a lack of faith in the goodness of humanity, an assumption that when times get tough and resources become a little more scarce that we will need guns to scare off two-legged scavengers and ruffians intent on doing us harm.

There is certainly respect to be had for people who want to protect their loved ones. But it’s disheartening that in times of crisis, we view everyone as a potential enemy.

The mere fact that gun shops — specifically “firearm and ammunition suppliers and retailers,” according to Gov. Justice’s stay-at-home order — are considered essential businesses proves that we don’t trust our neighbors. When we fear that every stranger — even friends — may turn out to be a foe, what keeps our finger off the trigger? When anxiety rules us, what impulse will stop us from firing first, asking questions later?

Desperate people may do stupid things, but fear can make monsters of us all. That is why it’s so important to show kindness and generosity whenever we can.

There’s a fine line between self-preservation and selfishness. No one can fault us for wanting to protect ourselves — to a point. But when self-protection comes at the cost of endangering others or withholding resources from others, then we’ve crossed the line.

Perhaps all this sounds naïve, maybe even scorn-worthy. There will always be someone who takes advantage. Someone who steals or cheats or lies. There will always be someone who chooses greed and selfishness. But if we go through life assuming that everyone we encounter is that person, we may find ourselves becoming that person instead.

When we all choose compassion and generosity, we vastly outnumber the liars, cheats and crooks, and we help more deserving people than we do undeserving. If we do, in fact, reap what we sow, then sow kindness. When we give the best of ourselves to others, we often receive the same in return.