In 1958, Johnny Cash sang the iconic ballad, “Don’t Take Your Gun to Town ”
It was the plea of a mother to her son, who, in his bravado, ignored her warning and dies at the hand of someone who was faster on the draw. The ballad ends with the last words of the dying boy…Don’t take your gun to town.”
That was was a theme that found its home in the ’50’s a scant decade after the horrible killing fields of the Second World War as both a warning and a prophecy.
“Don’t take your guns to town, son”
He took his gun to church and nine people died. Some have said that those in the church should have been armed and killed him first.
In a place of peace, in a sanctuary of hope, at an altar of light…..Don’t take your gun to church, son”
He took his gun to school and the innocent children died. Some said the teachers should be armed and so kill him first. “Don’t take your gun to school, son”
He took his gun to the campus and his fellow students died. Some thoughtmore armed guards should have killed him first. “Don’t take your gun to the campus, son”
And so the killing goes on, the guns more easily obtained and the cries of those who mourn, m
And those who lie dying, cry out, “don’t take your guns to town, son!”
Isn’t it about time the killing stopped? Isn’t it time we called forth leaders with the courage to stand against those who live by the gun and cry out: No More?
Isn’t it time to stop taking the guns to town?
Olson Huff, MD 
Amen, Olson, amen.
Thank you. It really is time to act.
I hope you sent this to BM and Aville papers, Olson. Well done. Martha
Sent from my iPhone
>
Thanks, Martha
Excellent! M
Sent from my iPad
>
Thanks Olson — so much—sweet, too timely (or too late), impacting. Thinking now of Pete Seeger’s “Where have all the flowers gone?” >
Can we spoke the guns with laments? We should give it our best to try !
Amen !!
Sent from my iPhone
>
So much needless pain. There is a role for elders here for sure. Thank you for the thoughts Olson. Best, steve
Sent from my iPad
>
Yes we need to build a response that the elders of all nations must join
So, are we more civilized than we were 150 years ago, or are we simply pretending we are?
Difficult to say. We can only hope.
Thank you, Olson, for expressing the pain flooding our nation as yet another unstable young man buys a gun and wreaks havoc on the innocent – but this time,it was in the sanctuary of the Holy. That makes the gun issue OUR issue. And this time, the Church has opportunity to show our true colors, because this time, the world is listening. Maybe, God willing, your voice, with a chorus of other prophetic voices – this time – will be heard. I know that’s your prayer. Mine too.
Yes, it is time to build the momentum necessary to stop t,his madness
Thank you Maggie. I am just
Totally fed up with the lack of will on the part of those we expect to enact the laws necessary to,protect us from harm.
This is our time to stand with you, Olson, with our President, with the Pope and other leaders and
INSIST that guns be regulated and that life is more sacred than the mere right to carry a gun!
Amen to that!
Olson, Terrific, poetic. You nailed it from the back door. An elder word. Thanks. Mahan
Thank you, Mahan. It may be left to us Elders to make this change.
Thank you!
Amen. Beautiful Olson. Happy Fathers Day.
Jennifer Rennicks Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Sent using iPhones ridiculously small keypad, please excuse typos
As always, Olson, your words are poignant, clear, thought-provoking and filled with truth! May they be spread far and wide! Thank you
Thanks Judy we need to stop this killing!
Nice piece Olson. I was passing a bit of time today watching You Tube videos – – this one seemed especially relevant…
Love, Lloyd
Seems we never learn. The answer I guess is still blowing in the wind.
Love,
Olson
Thanks Olson
Until people turn to God and stop this will there be peace. Several shot in Lexington last night!
So very true!!