Why the same old gun-control answers aren’t comforting
As the father of two small boys, I’m as haunted by last week’s massacre in Newtown, Conn., as anyone who didn’t know personally the victims or their killer.
I have the same fears as all parents anticipating the long, potentially treacherous path ahead of their children in this broken world of ours. My fears are only multiplied by my doubts there are many real options for thwarting future slayings in other unsuspecting towns.
The two primary questions we ask after mass killings are: Why do some people act so heinously? And how can we keep others from doing so?
The first question invariably draws answers like: madness, isolation, social awkwardness or marginalization, familial dysfunction, a craving for fame (or infamy), the prevalence of violence in our popular culture, and evil pure and simple.
The second question typically brings suggestions for treating these mental illnesses and social failures. That, and gun control.
Guns typically don’t make the list of answers to “why,” only to “how.” They are but one means for mass killings — albeit the most common one — not a motivation. Yet, guns become our central focus in times like these.
I understand the impulse. How do we begin to treat the mad, and especially people, such as the Newtown killer, with only mild disorders? As important as it is for us to attempt to rebuild the American family, can we wait the years or perhaps generations such an endeavor might consume, when another mass killing could happen today? How, within the bounds of constitutional guarantees for freedom of expression, does one dial back the violence found in our movies, TV shows, video games and even music?
Whatever a killer’s motivation, guns seem to be his means of choice. Better to address that, right?
As keenly interested as I am in preventing the next mass public shooting, I see little reason to find comfort in gun control.
Consider the high school rampage in Columbine, Colo. The year was 1999, amid a decade-long ban on “assault weapons,” those firearms defined by nothing more than the minds of legislators who drafted the ban on them. (Indeed, the main characteristic common to the weapons banned then seems to be the likelihood one might have seen a similar weapon in a shoot-em-up, kill-em-up movie — an implicit nod to the overriding impact of our entertainment culture.)
One of the Columbine killers was armed with a pump-action shotgun (not exactly a semiautomatic weapon) he fired 25 times. He also fired 96 rounds from a 9-mm carbine while using 10-round magazines — the limit of choice for those who say 30-round magazines are the problem.
When New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg introduced his ban on sugary soft drinks larger than 16 oz., most observers recognized the folly of limiting the size of one drink when a person could simply buy two or more of them. Does no one else find it similarly illogical to think a person bent on mass murder won’t just carry multiple weapons with smaller mags, or that lives will be saved in the few seconds it would take an experienced gun handler to change magazines?
I raise these objections not to defend specific weapons or magazines with any number of bullets. Neither I nor anyone I know owns an “assault weapon” (as far as I know), and I have no particular affinity for bullets that come in sets of 20 or 30 or 40 rather than 10. While I generally support gun-ownership rights, I’m open to practical suggestions that can reasonably square with the Second Amendment.
Nor do I think the situation is hopeless, or as good as it gets. I do think we can make our communities safer. But I think the most effective solutions will be less comfortable — such as asking when it’s OK to invade the privacy of those who are dangerously mentally ill — and more expensive — such as ensuring there are armed guards or designated weapons-carrying citizens even at schools and other “gun-free zones” — than merely banning particular weapons and ammunition.
The lives of innocents deserve the fullness of our thought and attention, not old ideas that have been sitting on the shelf, waiting for a crisis.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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457 comments Add your comment
Bazooka
December 20th, 2012
10:01 pm
@@
Pharmaceuticals and doctors are pumping kids with meds as fast as they can do it. It is big business and profits.
There are some meds that do a lot of good, but these wholesale diagnosis that have all these drugs going to kids for this and that is a shame.
The increase in prescribed meds to kids is going through he roof.
@@
December 20th, 2012
10:06 pm
Bazooka:
I just scrolled up to read some of your comments. Try to share them with someone who’s interested. I’m not that someone.
In spite of that fact, have a nice day.
Bazooka
December 20th, 2012
10:09 pm
@@
My bad.; you like echo chambers and listening to the preacher preach to the choir
You have a great day as well.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 20th, 2012
10:11 pm
Dusty
Yes, I still have a garden, but the only thing growing now are purple top turnips, curly and broad leaf mustard and a hand full of kale.
My tomatoes were very tasty but some of the ugliest that I have ever grown.
Dusty
December 20th, 2012
10:16 pm
@@,
You may be correct about Lanza and medications.
Great advances have been made in prescription drugs but some of the side effects seem worse than what they “cure”. .Even the lawyers are quite aware of that as I see advertisements on TV offering legal help for people who had bad effects from their medicine. Drug trials don’t seem to catch these problems. Or either the results are ignored
But there must be laws already requiring the printng of side effects from medications and even on food. I see them printed up on many things even a bottle of aspirin, cans of nuts and such.. .
@@
December 20th, 2012
10:18 pm
My bad.; you like echo chambers and listening to the preacher preach to the choir
Nah……just-well versed in how to deal with behavior disorders such as yours.
You have a great day as well.
I always do.
Dusty
December 20th, 2012
10:21 pm
Kamchak,
I bought some fresh mustard greens this week and they were so good just wilted down in a frying pan. A little bacon would have made them better.
And ugly tomato??? How so? I bet you slapped those uglys into a great sandwich. . .
@@
December 20th, 2012
10:25 pm
Dusty:
But there must be laws already requiring the printng of side effects from medications and even on food.
Children aren’t given the opportunity to refuse them.
If special needs children (not all but many) can be taught coping skills, I have no reason to believe typical children can’t be, as well. I engage in the practice everyday. It’s why I get the newbies. They can’t learn until their behaviors are modified. They have to be taught how to do that themselves.
The stories I could tell….
Bazooka
December 20th, 2012
10:30 pm
@@
Pretty nasty attitude yourself to be calling out others
Guess you and kettle meet up often
td
December 20th, 2012
10:39 pm
Bazooka
December 20th, 2012
10:30 pm
You gave your self away finally. A Bookman regular that has changed their screen name to come and cause problems. Why not just come on under your normal screen name? A little cowardly if you want my opinion.
Dusty
December 20th, 2012
10:40 pm
Yes, @@, I have great admiration for teachers like you. It certainly takes a great deal of empathy, knowledge and love for your line of work. The children are fortunate to have one who believes in their capabilities and helps them develop them.
Enjoy your holidays. I am aleady feeling good with my tree twinkling and presents wrapped. Going to be turkey onTuesday again as the “gang” gathers here. I will even make Kentucky Nut cake which is almost as good as Claxton…but not quite.
Getting late….Good night…
@@
December 20th, 2012
10:44 pm
Well I’ve found the answer to what ails us.
Human hands evolved so we could punch each other
Who knew?
Men, check your ring fingers.
Bazooka
December 20th, 2012
11:13 pm
td
cowardly is someone who would take away freedom of speech o based his opinion and conjecture alone
Let me know when you post the number of murders committed by those who partake in violent games and movies versus the total number of murders committed
And also the number of those who partake in those activities that commit murder.
When you show those numbers, you might have something. Until that time, keep chasing your tail
td
December 20th, 2012
11:25 pm
Bazooka
December 20th, 2012
11:13 pm
Look Bookman regular under a new name tonight, I offered a simple way to pay for (through a sin tax) armed guards at every school. If you do not like it fine. This is the only thing I am willing to do and do not come back and tell me to give up my AR-15 or any other gun I own.
Michael H. Smith
December 21st, 2012
12:54 am
Let these gun ban nutjobs have their delusions, make their tuants and think that putting another silly gun controll law on the books is going to stop these mass killing events from taking place or the deaths by gun violence. When all is said and done, when the shock value has worn-off of this moment where 20 children were killed, some kook somewhere will regertably commit a similar act. Of course these wackos cannot bring themselves to admit that the “Why” is by far more important than the “How”.
So just write this down as more stupidty from some very stupid people. If they were not stupid they would have learned by now that people not inanimate objects kill other people.
PS. td, we’ve made many of the right suggestions to address the real solutions to this problem and even the means of funding them. Now we’ll just have to wait and hope the emotional crowd thinks with reason rather than knee jerk reactions and fear to do the right thing. Those stuck in stupid-land will always think getting rid of guns is the answer to the problem.
marko
December 21st, 2012
5:09 am
http://www.salon.com/2012/12/17/bushmasters_horrible_ad_campaign/ Why do so many American men feel they have a need for military style assault rifles? Could be that they’re viewed as the cure for the two inch penis.
Lil' Barry Bailout -OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 21st, 2012
6:21 am
The Bushmaster used in Newtown was purchased by a woman, marko.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 21st, 2012
6:48 am
The libs can’t let go of the pen*s, can they?
iggy
December 21st, 2012
6:50 am
Its time to stock up on firearms before Obama takes them all away. I suggest you do the same.
Lil' Barry Bailout -OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 21st, 2012
6:58 am
The libs can’t let go of the pen*s, can they?
———–
And it always seems to be someone else’s.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 21st, 2012
7:17 am
Aahhh, prophet obozo has received orders from the home country -
The Communist Chinese government, via its state-run media front Xinhua, has called for Americans to be disarmed, arguing that the Sandy Hook school massacre demands “no delay for U.S. gun control.” The article adds that Barack Obama should begin “to make preparation for a protracted war,” with a massive political cost if he wants to eviscerate the second amendment.
They “care” about the kids too.
How sweet.
@@
December 21st, 2012
7:24 am
Guess you and kettle meet up often
Every night for dinner. Can’t cook without a couple on the stove.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 21st, 2012
8:24 am
Isn’t it ironic that the Incompetent President likely to suggest legislation further curtailing high capacity clips and automatic weapons is guarded 24/7 by people with high capacity clips and automatic weapons.
And will be for the rest of his life.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
December 21st, 2012
8:34 am
And will be for the rest of his life.
They changed that rule.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
December 21st, 2012
8:35 am
Way to go, Boehner! You da man!
JR
December 21st, 2012
8:39 am
It is amusing(and sad) that when we start bringing facts into the debate the pro-ban people resort to petty attacks (Assault Weapons are compensation for a small penis…) and try to define what people “need” to have.
“Need” has never been cause for a ban and neither has penis-envy. If you want to strip away an amendment from the Constitution you will need to beef up the intellectual side of your argument.
JDW
December 21st, 2012
8:41 am
Are we seeing the end of Boner? How can you hope to negotiate with the opposition if you can’t get your own people to vote for your own bill?
Politico
December 21st, 2012
8:45 am
Finn
McConnell filibusters his own bill a few weeks ago after having his bluffed called, now the Speaker has to cancel his vote..
Too funny.
Let the wailing and nashing of teeth commence.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 21st, 2012
8:53 am
Kyle – Where does pen*s and Boner fit into your idea of an elevated discussion?
Rob L.
December 21st, 2012
8:54 am
Imagine the following scenario: A chuch full of gun carrying citizens, a gunman runs in and starts shooting, a middle age white gentleman identifies three younger black men wearing dreadlocks drawing their weapons, a middle age black gentleman identifies three geeking looking young white men drawing their weapons, who shoots who? Now imagine this in a dark theater, who shoots who and who know who the gunman is? Wake up, police and military members who are trained whould have a hard time identifing the shooter and would probably kill a few innocent civilians. We do not need weapons every where! I am serving in the military and have been in through some very high speed training and I know we do not need everyone to be packing when an incendent happens.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 21st, 2012
8:56 am
“McConnell filibusters his own bill a few weeks ago after having his bluffed called,”
Wrong as usual, Politico.
As was debunked weeks ago.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
December 21st, 2012
8:57 am
If you want to strip away an amendment from the Constitution
No one is talking about stripping away an amendment. So, your attack on “petty attacks” is more or less, no more no less.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
December 21st, 2012
8:59 am
Tib,
“Turtle Head” McConnell did so filibuster his own vote.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 21st, 2012
9:00 am
We already know President Incompetent’s preferred political approach–infringement of Second Amendment rights–won’t work. We tried it in the 90’s with the “assault” weapons ban, and it didn’t do what it was advertised to do.
Obozo is lazy. If he were serious about reducing these mass shootings, he would look at the individuals who caused these attacks, how they got to be the way they are, and what can be done about it.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 21st, 2012
9:03 am
Rob L. it is a pity that someone who swore an oath the defend the U.S. Constitution doesn’t know the first thing about that document.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 21st, 2012
9:03 am
If Politico is back, his sockpuppet Black Label can’t be far behind…
Politico
December 21st, 2012
9:04 am
Tiberius
You debunked it with what? Because you cried about it?
Hahahahahah
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 21st, 2012
9:04 am
…with President Romney sure to appear as well…
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 21st, 2012
9:05 am
Rob L – In a dark theater, I would look for the muzzle flash to identify the gunman. In your wild scenario of every in the theater pulling their cannons out, I would go back to enjoying the movie and let them handle it.
Which “army” are you in?
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 21st, 2012
9:06 am
Rob L.: Imagine the following scenario:
——————
Why?
It hasn’t ever occurred before, in this racist country awash in guns people don’t “need”.
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 21st, 2012
9:09 am
Well, so now the libs totally own the catastrophe known as the US economy. Glad to see they’re happy about it.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 21st, 2012
9:11 am
They “won the election” so I never have understood all the prog whining about what this insignificant “Boehner” character was doing.
Rob L.
December 21st, 2012
9:12 am
Aesop’s,
I’m in the greatest Army in the world, but when there a multiple muzzle flashes and multiple shooters, most civilians would just start spraying the place! The amendment was put in place at a time when our country did not have a professional military and was put in place so we could have a regulated militia not a bunch of yahoo’s who do not have clue on how to handle weapons let alone how to act in the scenario I identified above. I believe every American has the basic right to bear arms but not military style weapons that are designed for War and War alone!
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 21st, 2012
9:14 am
Finn, Reid called for unanimous consent, which negated any attempts to amend or modify the bill.
Nice try, but another epic failure for you (and Harry Reid).
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 21st, 2012
9:15 am
Your scenario only happens in video games.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
December 21st, 2012
9:17 am
” I believe every American has the basic right to bear arms but not military style weapons that are designed for War and War alone!”
Yeah, ’cause, like, everybody would carry military-style weapons into church or into movies.
Rob L.
December 21st, 2012
9:18 am
What if just five average American’s with three sessions in a indoor gun range would have had their weapons in the teather in Colorado? What would have happened? Tough question to answer!
Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories
December 21st, 2012
9:20 am
Yeah, I never go to the movie without my Kalashnikov.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
December 21st, 2012
9:20 am
What would have happened is fewer people would have died.
Rob L.
December 21st, 2012
9:20 am
Why can’t we just sell military style weapons to the military? Why does the average American citizen need one?