Fan Mail: Buss Ya Gun???

A few weeks ago, we received mail from a supporter who posed an inquiry/suggestion about our Buss Ya Gun.. t-shirt.

Instead of bust your gun I think empty your clip could work better if you are thinkin’ of advocating less gun violence. Love the stuff either way… Just an idea if you are reprinting them….
One Love – Ben

Hey Ben,

First off, thanks for your thoughts. I like the fact that you didn’t just criticize the design, but you offered a suggestion. And what a great suggestion it is, indeed. I really appreciate that. Oftentimes, one complains or criticize without offering a solution. The only way to come to a common understanding is to propose an alternative perspective that promotes thought. That’s the first step.

The bust your gun design came as a result of witnessing the advocacy of the right to bear arms through hip hop, the streets and through pro-arms supporters of the Second Amendment of the Constitution. We are not major supporters of guns on the streets, however we questioned what would be reasons why someone would want to “bust their gun”… in a way to provoke thought on this topic.  So, we listed a few “responsible” reasons why someone would want to bear arms:  Knowledge, Wisdom, Understanding, Freedom, Justice, Equality, Food, Clothing, Shelter, Love, Peace & Happiness! Which we acknowledge as the “12 Jewels of Life”. We also added on more to the equation…Family!

Knowledge, Wisdom, Understanding: this represents education, the passion of expanding ideas and perspective. Throughout history societies have been robbed of this basic principle, leaving them in both mental and social bondage. The church, governments and monarchs have deprived their constuitents of the later..forcing a revolution of sorts.

Freedom, Justice, Equality: this is what our constitution (America) was supposedly founded on. All the revolutions and wars thereafter sort to defend this creed (atleast perceptively – this is up for debate, however.) Lets keep in mind that many of the rebels of the American Revolution consisted of property owners, farmers, and just regular citizens protecting their country, and liberty from the Brits.

Food, Clothing, Shelter: the basic necessities of living. I believe if anyone is delibritly held away from this long enough will be force to bear arms to feed themselves and their families..or atleast defend it!

Love, Peace Happiness: these three elements are the principles of harmony, and without harmony leaves chaos. Chaos is the only reason why there are guns in circulation in the first place. Personally I choose not to bear arms. I beleive in martial arts as a mechanism to maintain harmony and self defense. However, we must be able to step outside of our own comfort zone, or perspective to get a wholistic view on things. As with many other topics I may not choose to bare arms for myself..but I could see why one may find the need to.

Family: This is self-explanatory. Protect the home and loved ones from harm!

Peace.