guns
Since my arrival in Illinois I’ve done a lot of thinking about guns which have gone to reinforce my already existing thoughts…
Guns are fun to shoot. People who have guns like them a lot, and that shouldn’t be a problem. I understand gun control advocates who feel that eliminating guns in America will end a lot of violence. This is probably true but is also unfeasible and isn’t going to happen.
However I feel that at this point in America’s 230+ year history a different angle must be taken to the situation. People need to accept the fact that guns are part of America’s cultural fabric, and that through simple custom as much as constitutional interpretation they are the reality of what the US is as a nation. Millions of Americans like to hunt, sport shoot, and collect guns. They grew up with guns in their hands and to them guns are a tradition, a right, family heirlooms, and part of who they are as individuals. I fully appreciate that an antique shotgun handed from grandfather to grandson is something to cherish.
People don’t like guns because of the violence issue, and I’m no expert, but my understanding is that people with legal, registered guns aren’t actually the problem here. I’m opposed to gun violence as much as anyone but its the guns bought illegally on the street that are racking up body counts. I would be interested in hearing why there aren’t better penalties for the types of gun use that actually are problematic.
Why not have a discussion about harsher punishments for posessing an unregistered firearm? How about for illegal concealment? I think that if getting caught in Baltimore with a piece you bought on the street came with a 5 year mandatory minimum (maybe something else but you get my drift), it might change the way criminals make their decisions about tooling up. I don’t know what kind of punishment a gun charge earns you these days but I’d be interested to see information on increasing it enough so that potential offenders take serious notice.
Let’s stop locking up homeless guys for 2 vile possession charges and make the repercussions for carrying illegally so severe that its not worth it to walk around armed? Maybe this idea could help all Americans concerned about gun violence while also reassuring safe and legal gun users that the man isn’t coming after them. Instead of passionate but misdirected policy, let’s consider a more focused and effective approach.
Fear about gun regulation is a serious issue in many places (including in rural Illinois). I’ve met more than a few people who appear to be single-issue voters and their fears about Obama’s gun control is enough to put them securely in the McCain camp.
October 10, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I completely agree with you on this. As a liberal who grew up in relatively rural areas, I caught a lot of flack from fellow democrats over my gun views. But like you said, this really boils down to an issue of culture. Gun ownership in Litchfield Maine is a lot different than in Baltimore, and laws should duly reflect that.
I was really surprised when the cousin of a mutual friend of ours mentioned that he was a McCain supporter who’s single deciding issue was gun legislation. He was even more surprised when he realized that I know about and like guns and yet was still voting for Obama. At this point, when the candidates of both parties are of the view that the 2nd amendment protects gun ownership (note that I said the “view”) there really should be no worry that guns will be stripped from rural America.
So keep teaching by example that liberals can be gun-loving too, it’s God’s work (and by God I of course am referring to the savior Barack Obama).
October 10, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Interestingly, if I were a single-issue voter (I’m not quite there), I might have hitched my wagon to the gun issue. Only, the other side of it. There are a lot of things that have been traditional in this country that are not, or were not good for the fabric of society. Despite the incredible challenges, they are mostly gone.
Do I think getting rid of all guns (lets just start with hand guns) would be easy? Of course not. Do I think it would be worth it? In every way. I’m not saying people would need to give up family heirlooms, or even stop going to the range. Even hunting is fine. But I see no reason for Americans to carry handguns other than to defend themselves against others with handguns. Not exactly an inspiring circle of safety.
October 12, 2008 at 2:41 pm
See Department of Justice http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/pubs/gun_violence/contents.html
for a good summary of what various State and local governments are trying and what is actually working. Also, a good analysis of “the problem”. In Maine, the homicide rate is 12 per 100,000 per year vs a National average that centers around 200. Gun ownership in Maine is among the highest per capita.
October 12, 2008 at 5:39 pm
“I think all bullets should cost $5,000. You know why? Because if a bullet cost $5,000 there’d be no more innocent bystanders. Every time somebody got shot (people) would be like, “damn, he must’ve done something, because they put $50,000 worth of bullets in his ass!”
-Chris Rock on bullet control