Christ. Do some people really agree with hateful vitriol like this?

I wonder how many Boston liberals spent the night cowering in their homes wishing they had an AR-15 with a hi-capacity magazine? #2A

— Nate Bell (@NateBell4AR) April 19, 2013

There are about forty-eight things wrong with the representative’s tweet. Here are two that struck me fairly immediately.

First, no one I know was cowering. Boston is a tough city. As someone more eloquent than I has noted, Boston was founded “by people so badass that they needed to buckle their hats to keep them on their God damn heads.” A million people obeyed officials’ requests to stay put to make the search for a sadly misguided 19 year-old more effective and safer for those of us at home and safer for the brave folks who are performing the search. Bostonians are patient, dignified, and humane. We are not hysterical, blood-thirsty, or craven. We do not need individual arms to maintain order.

Second, no one I know thinks an AR-15 with high-capacity magazines would make the situation safer. Instead, I’m glad that my tax dollars go to support the heroes we call police officers, fire fighters, and first responders. And I’m thankful that these well-trained, lion-hearted men and women are willing to put their lives on the line so that I don’t have to. I am proud to be from Boston and I am proud of how our state, its officials, and our civic champions are handling the situation.

So, Nate Bell, as far as I can tell, the answer to your profane question is zero. Nobody was cowering. Nobody wanted an AR-15 with high-capacity magazines.

I support mandatory universal background checks, a ban on high-capacity magazines, and compassion. I am against senseless violence, acts of terror, and simpleminded legislators.

I feel this way, Representative, because guns don’t keep people safe. That’s why it takes so much courage to be a police officer, firefighter or first responder. Situations involving guns are dangerous. Guns are designed to cause injury. It seems like no one explained to you how guns work before.

I hope that you never feel like you need to cling to a gun for safety. The lonely individualism of your Tweet makes me sad. I hope you and your constituents do not feel alone or afraid without a gun. I am confident that my neighbors, community, and government are working hard to keep one another safe everyday—not just in times of crisis. I wish the same for you and your constituents.

Further, nonviolent community vigilance works. It resulted in a peaceful arrest tonight. Had a scared, armed individual taken justice into his own hands instead of calling the authorities for help, we would certainly have had one or more deaths on our hands. I am very pleased that entire Boston community worked together, acted dispassionately, and ended this string of tragedies without further casualty.

In case you don’t read my blog, Representative Bell, I have written you directly and and plan to call your office Monday so that you don’t need to wonder any more. For anyone who wishes to join me, here is his contact information:

Here’s hoping that this crisis ends quickly and peacefully.