Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Gun Control Conversation with Kenyan Kids

I usually give a couple of Agape's day students from Nyalenda (a slum near our house) a ride home from school.  Here's a quick, random excerpt from part of our conversation on the way home:

Kids:  So, in America, does everyone own a gun?  (Note: you can't buy guns in Kenya; probably a good thing!)


Me:  No, but a lot of people own guns in America.


Kids:  Where do people get guns?


Me:  Well, you can just go into the store like Nakumatt (kinda like Wal-Mart) and buy a gun.


Kids:  Wow, can you kill people with the gun?


Me:  Well, that's not why you buy the gun.  Most people buy them to hunt animals.


Kids:  Could you kill someone with the gun if the broke into your home?


Me:  Yes, you could shoot someone then.


Kids:  Can you shoot someone on the street?


Me:  No, you can't shoot someone on the street, but if someone breaks into your house you can shoot them in your house.


Kids:  Do you burn them after you shoot them?  (Note:  Usually, if someone is caught stealing in Kenya, they stone the person, then stack tires on top of the thief and burn him.)


Me:  No, we don't burn people in America.  The family would probably get the body back and bury it.  I think it's good that Kenyans can't buy guns.


Kids:  Why?


Me:  Because, then there would be thugs running around in Kenya with guns robbing people.

. . . . never a dull moment in Kenya!!!

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