His decision met with extreme backlash from gun owners and right-wing enthusiasts online.
After the recent mass shooting in Las Vegas, gun owner Jonathan Pring called the Phoenix Police Department to ask if an officer could come pick up his Walther Arms PK380 and Ruger 10/22 tactical rifle. He documented the exchange in a Facebook post, complete with photos.
“Hello. My name is Jonathan Pring. I am a proud United States Citizen.
Until this morning I was a gun owner.
In lieu of the recent mass shooting event in Las Vegas, this morning I phoned my local police station (Phoenix, Arizona) and asked for an officer to visit my house and collect my firearms.
People on social media and in the news are asking questions and looking for answers. I have an answer. If civilians do not have guns then mass shooting events will occur less frequently.
That clever old Indian Gandhi once said ‘Be the change you want to see in the world’.
Small steps really can make a difference and we can all do small steps, even babies.
I will miss my guns. I enjoyed taking them to the range and doing Rambo poses in front of the mirror. I paid a lot of money for them. However, if I was to write down the 10 most important things in my life the guns wouldn’t make the list.
I hope my actions inspire others. If we can achieve a safer world for our children, we will have done a good thing.
Be the change.
To any would be home invaders, watch out. I just bought a brand new Slugger.”
If Pring was hoping for any genuine change from his fellow gun owners, however, he was sorely disappointed:
