I’m not saying ban guns, I am an owner, however, the debate can’t truly be open unless both sides are willing to address the issue without being guided by bias. You can’t say, “guns don’t kill people, people kill people,” and dismiss the argument that maybe guns do play a part. It’s like there is a fear that any blame on guns themselves will be the end of the world. And obviously, an all out ban on guns won’t end violence and murder so that is not a solution to those problems.
I believe the argument should be about how do we keep the wrong people from getting their hands on guns and just come up with answers and solutions that are not influenced by bias and agendas. Then take it from there but we never get to that point because both sides are afraid of what the truth may be.
Personally, I believe guns themselves contribute to the problem. How much? I don’t know but I can’t believe that the existence of weapons that allow one to kill quickly, efficiently, safely and from a distance, that allow individuals who are disconnected from society and their own humanity to kill in a way that is a manifestation of that disconnect is not a factor. Cervantes, and Ariosto before him, recognized that guns turn cowards into brave killers.
When people say if these individuals couldn’t get guns they would turn to something else, what do they base that on? Has anyone actually studied this subject enough to draw that conclusion? These people are looking to kill as many as they can in the easiest way possible, with as little resistance possible. These are calculated acts in which the killers are aware of who they are up against and what the risks are. They seek to minimize those risks. Walking into a school with a knife is a risk.
People won’t just stand there, or cower helplessly, but will try to run or fight and, they have a chance to succeed. These killers know that and so to say they would turn to less efficient and more risky methods is not some fact. Maybe they would. Maybe some would. No one knows so to say they would is false and does not help us arrive at a solution.
How many drive by shootings committed by 12 year olds would suddenly be replaced by walk up stabbings? All? Some? None? Again, no one knows so to say they would in order to even allow the discussion to examine that doesn’t help us.
I’m a gun owner. I grew up around hunters. I’m a 31B in the CT NG (so I’m close to this latest mass killing) and part of my job description requires that I carry a weapon. I don’t hate guns. I don’t fear guns. In fact, I have to admit that shooting (targets, not people) is fun when you look at it as a skill to be mastered. I don’t love guns however (they are just a tool), and the last thing I want to have to do is shoot someone. I’m just putting that out there as a disclaimer before someone accuses me of having some political agenda when it comes to guns. I don’t see it as a right or left matter.