I know I sleep well when I feel safe, secure, and loved. I am thankful that I live in a beautiful low-crime neighborhood where neighbors look out for each other. Even in the safest neighborhoods, however, are we really 100% safe?

Due to recent horrific events such as the Aurora, Colorado theater shootings and the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy in Newton, Connecticut, this question is asked a lot these days.

To keep myself centered and at peace, I tend to limit my media exposure and not dwell on negative news events. As a parent and elementary classroom teacher, however, I recognize I have a responsibility to engage and not completely bury my head under the sand about this issue.

The bottom line for us here at The Warm Milk Journal is:

1. We want our kids to be safe.

2. We want our communities to be safe places to live, work, and go to school…

3. We want to sleep well at night!

Politics aside, it is important to have a civic conversation as a community about how we best go about keeping us all safe (and sleeping restfully at night).

I have had the good fortune to get to know Jesse Csincsak this past year. You may remember him as The Bachelorette season 4 winner, a professional snowboarder, or as an Olympic TV host.

Through the course of several conversations I have gotten to know Jesse best as a husband and father. The issues of violence, gun control, and the ability to protect his family are very dear to him.

Jesse would like to get the word out about a film, Assaulted Civil Rights Under Fire, that invites conversation about this controversial issue.

Here’s an excerpt of my February 4th conversation with Jesse two days ago…

Debra: Hello Jesse!

Jesse: Hi Debra.

Debra: How are you?

Jesse: I am great, just helping Ann with our new Clothing store in Vail Colorado www.CashmereAndCoco.com.

Debra: That sounds fun and exciting!

Jesse: Yes, we are having a lot of fun with it.

Debra: Best of luck and much success to her!

Jesse: Thank you, I will pass that on to Ann.

Debra: Please tell me a little bit about this film, Assaulted, Civil Rights Under Fire?

Jesse: Assaulted is a project I’m very passionate about. The film will look deep into the history of gun control in America through interviews with over 60 experts in all aspects of the debate. The goal is to present audiences with a balanced look at the realities of gun control in America without the misinformation often included in gun control pieces in the media today.

Debra: What is your involvement with this film?

Jesse: The film was brought to my attention about a month ago by one of the producers when I was asked if I would be interested in being interviewed for the film. I was immediately drawn to the subject matter and was happy to help. We are now discussing the possibility of me hosting the project. I believe this is one of the most important debates in America today, and anything I can do to help educate Americans on this topic is time well spent.

Debra: Why is this issue, the 2nd amendment so important to you?

Jesse: The 2nd amendment is important to me for the simple fact that it gives me the right to PROTECT MY FAMILY. The bottom line is that criminals won’t turn in their assault weapons, so I find it silly that the government is going to ask me to turn in mine and deny me the right to defend my family.

Debra: How do you feel about automatic assault weapons?

Jesse: This is the big misunderstanding. AR 15s and AR 10s are not Automatic weapons they are semi automatic weapons just like every hand gun on the planet. The only difference is the capacity of the magazines in which they hold… Any weapon including a normal handgun like a 1911 pistol can be gun smithed into an Automatic weapon but you need a special class 3 gun permit to be in possession of one…

Debra: I have much to learn. When and where will this film be available?

Jesse: The goal is to release the film in March. You can get updates about the film on DeadPatriotfilms.com.

Debra: Will do! I will be honest with you, Jesse. I am a bit of a “girly girl” and guns have always frightened me. I know my husband shares your point of view and I will check out this film when it is released and keep an open mind…

Jesse: That is all anyone can ask, Debra. We just want to get the discussion going.

Debra: Well, we can certainly do that. I will invite my readers to engage in this conversation as well.

Jesse: You’re the best!

Debra: I think you are pretty great too. Stay in touch. I wish you and Ann and little Noah well.

Jesse: Thank you.

Debra: Thank YOU.

Friends, I invite your comments!

Please share how this issue of violence and gun control affects your sense of security and getting a good night sleep. We have a global readership here at The Warm Milk Journal and we would be very interested to hear from citizens from different countries who have different gun control laws than we have here in the United States.

In Peace,

Debra

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