And Then There Were Guns

Weapons, tools to hurt each other, have probably been around since human life began. As have other issues like poverty, mental illness and addiction. However, now people can so easily buy weapons of mass destruction, that too often criminals, men and even children sometimes mow down large numbers of people in a rapid fire moment.

How do we deal with our need to keep guns out of the hands of anyone who misuses them? Even when Americans try to develop regulations and controls about weapon sales, they have not been good enough so far.

There is no possible way to accurately screen anyone’s potential for acting violently even though criminal history may be one indicator. People shoot weapons at other people in times of crisis, especially when heightened financial, mental health, and romantic stressors occur. S0me follow extremist groups that urge its members to use violent force in the name of some political or religious ideology. Some also use weapons to kill themselves in a moment of impulsive and/or planned actions of despair, anger or pain.

How do we decrease mass shootings?  One solution is to end the sale of guns except for military and law enforcement personnel.

This would be a drastic change and some will think we are taking away their rights. The financial impact of such a change might resemble how the economy would suffer if we banned pornography, another money making and dangerous but acceptable American business. 

Americans are slow to change any of our culturally acceptable norms like the current state of our electoral process, neocapitalism, and plutocracy.  To change any of these systems of belief and behavior is highly complex and complicated and takes much work over many years if most Americans and their leaders, in fact, support such changes.

American racism, classism, and inhumane beliefs and practices about how we treat women and LGBTQ populations have changed a little over time, but not enough to provide us all with rights like life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, the rights to be who we are and to love whom we love. All of these ideologies must continue to change.

I fear that we cannot significantly decrease our large numbers of injuries and deaths without the removal of guns from most of our population.

Let’s explore how Australia has gotten rid of their weapons even though controversy exists about whether their gun violence has decreased.  We also need to elect leaders who are not highly influenced by corporations and the wealthy but who will represent all voters. We need to challenge our own opinions, beliefs and attitudes about the need for guns for protection and/or sport.

Perhaps those who love guns can instead develop their bow and arrow skills. Let’s get rid of these weapons before any more children and families suffer future accidental and mass shootings.