The room responds in much the same way as had many of my prior and subsequent interview subjects when I ask any type of question that contained words such as firearm or gun: they circle the wagons. “I don’t think any of us blame the gun,” Billie replies without a hint of defensiveness. “It’s not the gun’s fault. I still own many guns. Guns are important to us and to our liberties. Heck, I’m teaching my nieces to shoot in case they need to protect themselves.” “Lot of us come from military or come up with hunting,” says June. “Guns are a way of life.” “We pass down guns in our family, strong
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