“Being Prepared in the Suburbs” is an essay by Roger Verhulst published in 1992. The purpose of this essay is to show how guns can change the mind and emotions of a person. Throughout the essay, Verhulst shares personal examples of his beliefs regarding gun ownership and personal examples of how his life changed once he purchased a Crossman Power pump gun Master 760 BB Repeater. After purchasing the gun, he reasoned that the reason people love guns so much is the passion gun owners feel. He said: “It is this feeling that explains their passion, their religious fervor, their refusal to give in. It’s rooted in the gut, not the head” (Verhulst 342). He also realized that personal thoughts and morals regarding gun ownership changed for a gun owner and, in a sense, how the gun had authority over an individual's life. For example: “But a stray opossum that took up residence in our garage for a few cold nights in January undermined my good intentions” (Verhulst 341). Honestly, these are just excuses and not legitimate reasons. A strong person would not go against their beliefs and would know that the use of a firearm should only take place for a specific and valid purpose. Throughout his essay, he believes that weak gun laws and problems with gun use are due to a passion you feel in your gut; in reality, it is a lack of self-control. Although Verhulst had his personal beliefs about guns and had a reason for purchasing the gun, his original views on guns contradict each other, making it difficult to believe that he disapproved of guns in their entirety. He explained how he opposed guns and how he believed the result of shooting a gun would "only make the entities less functional." Verhulst even gives an example...... middle of paper ......lation. In reality, gun laws are a serious issue and through this essay the reader would just believe that gun laws are good and do not need to be stricter. Although he gives personal examples throughout the essay, other examples would demonstrate that there should be stricter gun laws and that guns actually cause harm. Other examples would also strengthen Verhulst's essay and show that other people are just as weak as him, and the reader would further believe that gun laws are too weak. His examples alone favor guns and do not prevent them because they glorify his weakness in giving in to temptation. Although he believes that the causes of his and others' weakness are due to emotions triumphing over reason, a stronger, bolder person in favor of stricter gun laws would demonstrate self control..