Because of the recent tragic events at Newtown, CT, the country returns once more to one of its favorite bones to gnaw, gun control. In the interest of full disclosure, I do not own a gun and can’t imagine a reason I would ever want to—except for zombie apocalypse—but I have no problem at all if my fellow citizen wants to own one legally.
Should my fellow citizen have a good reason to own a gun, as defined by other citizens? I don’t think so. Why? The Second Amendment to the Constitution not withstanding, what constitutes a “good reason?” Is sport a good reason? Varmint control? Personal protection? Collecting? What may seem a valid reason to the gun buyer, may not be one for you or me. Should my fellow citizen have the ability to purchase an AR with a 30 round magazine? Sure, why not? And for the same reasons.
While I completely concur that the apparent universal loss of our interest in viewing each other as humans/people has become pervasive – and it is that lack of empathy throughout our community that has undoubtedly contributed to the overwhelming and oft experience of violence each of us is sadly privy to day after day, there are two aspects of this dialogue worth mentioning. First, the tragedy in Newtown had WAY less to do with firearms, and far more to do with a health system that is completely broken (particularly mental health). Point of reference, a similar attack on a school occurred in China nearly the same day as Newtown – only, this time, the mentally disturbed individual wielded a knife. Second, the 2nd amendment was written when the Kentucky Long Rifle (a black powder musket) was ostensibly in use. Thus, it is my firm opinion that (even as a former Green Beret, gun owner and sportsman myself) we should be compelled to turn in (under amnesty wherein the fed pays us $5K per gun; regardless of its value) EVERY SINGLE FIREARM AND all AMMUNITION under penalty of mandatory 10 year federal prison sentence. Then – in the true spirit of the amendment and constitutional right, each man, woman and child is issued a musket, five ball shots, and 8 ounces of black powder, and optional training on how to load and fire same.
Guns indeed don’t kill people – rather people do. Ergo, let’s not give people a right to high capacity killing.
It does make a difference. The guy in China with the knife stabbed 20, but killed no one.
All good points Cuthbert. I’m especially interested in the broken mental health system angle. Maybe you’d like to do a guest blog on that topic? As to your point about “high capacity killing,” think about this: there were 75-100 million AK-47/variants manufactured to date. If only a few million are still serviceable—and there are—anyone who wants one can get one. I bet the guys who are killing each other (along with innocent bystanders btw) on the South Side, probably didn’t acquire their guns legally. I’m sure if a Chicago copper asked to see a license for that AK, he’d get laughed at, then shot. Gun laws are for honest, law-abiding people and they are not the problem.
At the risk of making light of serious issue (which is not my intent), posting this just moments after the Linus soliloquy is a real buzz kill!!!!!