guns versus sex – which should win the attention of young boys?

“Can we go to Target today?” asked Louie. “I have money. I want to buy a Nerf Demolisher! Or maybe a Zombie Strike semi-automatic!”

With talk of the gun culture in America, I’m thinking we should start with young boys Louie’s age: 11. He has opinions on semi- vs. full-automatic mechanisms, magazines vs. revolving chambers. I guess we all had our share of guns as kids, but his enthusiasm – amidst the current backdrop of mass shootings – is almost scary.

Still, his money, his lessons. We go to Target. The Modulus ECS-10 Core he wants is featured on the Nerf display signage – and out of stock. He takes his time to review the armory and selects two: the Zombie Strike Doominator and the N-Strike Mega Series Rotofury – both somewhat akin to portable Gatling guns. “Why don’t you wait to find the one you like, or just get one now so you can enjoy each one for a while?” My suggestion is deemed irrelevant. He buys two.

Back home, he unboxes and preps the guns. One semi-automatic has a booster function that requires batteries. We put in two sets of AAs, but it still doesn’t work. He’ll have to take it back. Good thing he bought a spare! I guess. Ugh.

I watch the ensuing battle between Louie and my grandson Danny, also 11, from the tenuous safety of my living room armchair. On the side table, on top of the day’s mail, Victoria has lots of new apparel to sell, all with a comely allure that strikes me as far more compelling than a twenty-round semi-automatic Nerf blaster. Someday, these boys would see the wisdom in my preference. Sex won’t kill them; guns may.

Someday, the old bumper sticker from my college days would have its revival: Make Love Not War.

Hope it’s soon.