Looking through the last week of headlines for the Selma Times-Journal paints a very discouraging picture.

The list includes “Bond upheld in murder hearing” and “Three robbed at gunpoint.”

Tuesday’s top headlines read “New Year’s shooting logs first murder in Selma” and “Selma man charged in New Year’s Eve shooting.”

Our own Chris Wasson pointed out yesterday that Selma had its first murder before it had its first birth. That is an alarming fact.

Another alarming fact is that some people in Selma just love to play with guns. It’s a combination of an intense fear and the need to be feared. The intense fear comes from the coward that is in us all. Let’s face it, no one likes to get punched in the face when an argument heats up to a boiling point.

The need to be feared is a common misconception that respect comes with fear.

A lot of young people find themselves in disagreements while growing up and settle them with their fists. I’m not saying that violence is the answer in any disagreement, but a good old “country whipping” can be a pretty good education. And, the best part is that when it’s over both parties walk away.

In some instances years down the road the two involved in the altercation even become friends and have a good laugh about the whole thing.

In many cases the life of the victim isn’t the only one taken. The person who pulls the trigger can spend life behind bars or find himself or herself on death row awaiting execution.

That’s usually when it sets in that power and respect are two different things. Using a gun can get a person a certain amount of power in their neighborhood through the fear that person can impose on his neighbors. But it rarely brings any respect.

If you really want to earn respect by carrying a gun, I’d like to suggest joining a local police force, the military or the National Guard. All three are always hiring and you have to try pretty hard to get laid off from the military.

They will teach you the proper way to use a weapon and, best of all, the respect many seek will come. Most importantly, a large part of the training is problem solving.

Those who are fascinated by guns and respect have an easy choice. Go work for the good guys. The last time I checked, crime didn’t offer a steady salary, benefits or a retirement plan. Only room and board.