Gun Control

Another mass shooting brings attention to gun control.  I expect that once the sorrow subsides, it will again be pushed aside.  The NRA’s slogan “Guns don’t kill, people do” diverts attention from the dangers of gun ownership. Automatic weapons are used in mass killings. What happened in Las Vegas was with an automatic weapon spraying bullets indiscrimately with the intention of killing in mass.  An assault weapon is used for assault. To say that one needs a gun for self-protection or to protect the lives of one’s family is not valid.  If it were valid one would call it a defense weapon and that would apply in areas where there is no police protection. 
We should be more concerned about internal threats than terrorist threats.  Mass shootings in the US have been by white Christin males, although the title of Christian is meaningless in today’s world.

Walmart, CO, no less.  got to do something.

Another shooting is bringing attention to gun control. As with past incidents, without action attention will fade until the next shooting.


We are told that “guns don’t kill - people do.”  People buy into this NRA promotional crap.  Do people consider that guns were invented as a more efficient method of killing?  Why do soldiers carry guns?  Why not just issue them a prayer book and wish them good luck?  To be sure, there are other ways to kill, however mass killings are more effective with rapid-fire weapons.  A person is likely to pick up a gun and use it in a state of anger.  Nuclear weapons are the worst weapon ever developed for mass murder.  When a leader says: “If we have them, why don’t we use them?” we know that we are in danger.  The elimination of all weapons of mass destruction, large and small, should be our objective.  To say that those who commit mass murders are mentally unbalanced doesn’t save us.  Who can determine what person will flip out?  Who decides what incident (excuse) will trigger this insane action? We don’t need more money for defense.  Defense spending makes the producers of military hardware rich while the people they purport to defend are dying for lack of the essentials needed to sustain life.  Spending money on education is a better weapon to have and to use.  Learning how to deal with stress and problems in general can save lives.  Happy and/or contented people are not inclined to take revenge or act irrationally. We are indoctrinated with fear and fear sells, especially to the uninformed/uneducated.  “Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself”: FDR's First Inaugural Address.

We have low gun crime, but stabbings are on the increase. 80 people were stabbed to death in London last year.

We used to leave our doors unlocked, now we have burglar alarms. Same with cars. Now the police are advising everyone to carry a personal alarm.

https://safelifealliance.com/safety/personal-security-alarm-3-fb.php

Sorry to hear that, Shelagh.  The UK has been a good example where the police don’t carry guns.  I think that it is still relevant.  Crime is on the rise in Europe and much is blamed on the influx of refugees and migrants.  In the village where I live, they no longer leave doors unlocked as was common in the past.  Roving organized gangs committing burglary has caused alerts warning the public.   There are tricks these gangs use to gain access and the elderly are prime targets.  The gangs will do a surveillance run and even place a mark on the door of a residence they feel is a good target.  Another method used to identify a target is by reading the newspapers to learn about the date of a funeral knowing that the house will be empty for a specific period of time.  Neighborhood watch is becoming more prevalent.  Notifying a neighbor that you will be absent for a period of time alerts the neighbor to keep an eye out for any unusual activity and they are instructed to notify the police.  This activity is deplorable; however, it is not the same as “mass murders” committed with rapid-fire weapons.  Technology has helped with surveillance cameras and alarms, but they are not a guarantee against intrusion.  The crooks are smart and will disable electronic systems if they want to gain access.  Vigilance is required in all aspects of our lives in today’s world.  Our PC’s can be hacked and there is the constant need to protect against Viruses.  Alerting others of suspected hacks or viruses is a duty we owe.  I don’t like what is happening in today’s world using the past as a reference. Change is happening in all aspects of our lives and it is imperative that we adapt to the change if we want to survive.  Fear is promoted by politicians.  FDR said “The only thing to fear is fear.”  Some of us were raised with the “Fear of God” instilled in us rather than the “Love of God”.  Religion and politics are still a platform used for control.  Survival is the common denominator in our daily lives.  We are concerned about our environment, our health, our safety and our income.  Death is the only thing that will eliminate these concerns, but that is not a remedy most of us want to choose unless the pain of living is too severe.

A four year old was caught with the possession of a knife in school, a recent study found. Children are arming themselves for protection. What a crazy world.

https://inews.co.uk/news/revealed-shocking-crimes-committed-schools-children-armed-knives/

Just seven weeks into 2018, there have been eight shootings at US schools that have resulted in injury or death. There have been 1,516 mass shootings in 1,735 days.
All shootings: Some 13,286 people were killed in the US by firearms in 2015, according to the Gun Violence Archive, and 26,819 people were injured [those figures exclude suicide]. Those figures are likely to rise by several hundred, once incidents in the final week of the year are counted. Source: Gun Violence Archive.
It is evident that guns are used primarily to take lives, not to save them.
It is reported that the US has about 5 percent of the world’s population and 40 percent of privately-owned guns. 
It is time to look outside the USA box and see how other countries handled the gun problem.  I’m tired of being polite and avoiding the issue of gun control or even banning guns.  Guns are designed to kill.  There is no label on a gun describing what it will kill – it just does.  To say that “Guns don’t kill, people do” poses the question:  What is the purpose of having a gun? How many mass murders have been committed with knives?  The mentality is similar to Trump who said “why do we have nuclear weapons if we don’t use them?”    Just seven weeks into 2018, there have been eight shootings at US schools that have resulted in injury or death.  There have been 1516 mass shootings in 1735 days.  Is this a mental problem or a gun problem?  Perhaps a combination of both.  While you’re looking outside the USA box, consider how other countries handle their healthcare issues.  Are we so arrogant that we can’t learn from others?
 
What if guns were controlled like vehicles.  Both used wrong can cause death.  With vehicles one must be tested to get a license and the vehicle must be registered.  Inspections are required. in some States and a vehicle tax is levied.  The driver’s license must be renewed as well as the vehicle registration. and that requires fees (tax).  If we strictly control the sale and possession of firearms as with vehicles, we know who has them, whether the person is qualified to use them and it is also a source of revenue.  One can avoid paying firearms tax by getting rid of it.
The final requirement would be for the applicant for a license to obtain liability insurance.  The insurance company would decide the risk level and adjust their premiums accordingly.  Insurance companies don’t want to lose.  If an insurance denies coverage, the applicant would not be able to purchase a gun.

It's a good idea, Abe, and long overdue. The Second Amendment seems to be the sticking point: the right to own a gun. There is a solution that would not infringe on that right, but it would not be very popular. All gun owners should register with a gun club and automatic rifles should be stored at the club. Use of such weapons should be closely monitored and not allowed to leave the gun clubs without police approval. The Second Amendment was set up to ready men in times of war. That does not mean that arms should be kept at home.

That makes good sense.  In Switzerland they have no standing army, however young men are trained and issued guns that are kept in the homes.  Routine checks are made to insure that they comply with strict regulations.  In Germany they have hunting clubs and the guns are kept at the club.
Gun madness in the US appears to be promoted by the NRA and the makers of weapons.  It is a money making scheme. Spouting the 2nd Amendment concerning their rights is nonesense.  They don't understand meaning of the 2nd Amendment - another example of ignorance that has led to many deaths.  The first step is to ban the sale of assault weapons. One step at a time may eventually lead to a final solution.

Trump said, “So many signs that the Florida shooter was mentally disturbed, even expelled from school for bad and erratic behavior. Neighbors and classmates knew he was a big problem. Must always report such instances to authorities, again and again.”
Mr. Trump. there are many signs that you are mentally disturbed.  We are trying to have you removed from office for bad and erratic behavior.  Citizens across the nation know that you are a big problem.  We have reported such things to authorities, and we will do it again and again. We seek to prevent mass murder as you dangle your finger over the nuclear button. that you said, “If we have them, why not use them.”

British Jonathan Pie says it well: https://www.facebook.com/JonathanPieReporter/videos/1473029512819937/

"With every adversity there is a benefit.”  That is being seen in the reaction to the latest school shooting in Florida.  The young people are getting involved with protests demanding action on gun control.  The political supporters of the NRA are being exposed with information about the amount of money they received from the NRA.  From what I’ve read, most are Republican.  Controls put in place by Obama, limited though they were since many of his actions were never supported by the GOP, were reversed by Trump.  The failure to enact strict gun laws will be a large part of political discussions in the next election.  These young people, many of them students, will be eligible to vote and I expect the GOP to take a big hit.  I only hope that the next President will revoke or reverse the Executive Orders made by Trump that catered to his rich friends.  The tax relief benefited the rich and his family.  Other programs that provided aid to the poor are still being attacked by his administration that is intended to reduce the debt by eliminating essential human services.  That includes the threat by Ryan to reduce the distribution amount of SS payments to help reduce the debt largely created with loss of income from his tax breaks.  That includes reduction of SS that threatens the lives of many who depend on SS for survival.   I won’t discuss the despicable actions of Trump after the tragedy in Florida, but rather look to the future with hope that change will occur. Restoring the image of America is important, but not as important as restoring the faith of Americans in their government.

A 1928 campaign slogan by Herbert Hoover: “A Chicken in every pot and two cars in every garage”
It could be said that today we have a chicken in every house with the likelihood of two guns in every garage.  The latest addition is to have the capability of building your own gun out of plastic. Perhaps it will be called “The Trumpster” – fake but deadly.