[quote=Jazzman]I agree it is a symptom, and you need to look at the wider socio-economic aspect; demographics, employment rate, media violence and so on. There is a plentiful supply of potential contributing factors, but the more you wade into the minutiae, the further you remove yourself from resolving the problem. There is prima facie evidence in the form of a tangible object (guns) that would be much simpler to tackle, than a restructuring of a social order, and would likely yield quicker results.
I would favor a incremental gun control policy, backed up by research and education. Within a generation you would be able to enforce a complete ban on all guns, and reduce deaths dramatically. It should form part of a wider policy to eradicate the more indirect causes. It would be healthier for all.[/quote]
Jazzman: Complete agreement with you on all fronts, save the complete ban part. However, that stands in direct opposition to your observation that gun control is a highly politicized topic, considered by many politicians to be a “third rail” in American politics. There was a good reason that Obama avoided even the mention of gun control in his first term and that Senate vote illustrated why vividly. Obama had the bully pulpit, media support and public polling numbers behind him and still got hammered.
Where I take exception with the ban has nothing to do with my 2nd Amendment rights (a huge and completely separate issue), but rather the fact that I am a responsible gun owner and have been for the better part of 30 years. Why am I penalized for the actions of others? Why am I deprived of my ability to defend myself and my family, especially in the instance of a civil disturance (1992 LA riots) or natural disaster (Hurricane Sandy or Katrina), when first responders are either not there or tied up with more serious problems?
There’s a great expression that goes: “When seconds count, the police are only minutes away”. I don’t keep any loaded guns in the house and don’t believe in doing so for protection. I have four dogs (the world’s best alarm system) and a very sharp SOG single edge that I’m quite adept with (again, thanks to the US Army) for home defense.
However, in a case like the LA riots, I also have a Remington 870 Police shotgun and some nice 3″ Magnum buck and slug loads. During the Fallbrook fires some years back, the Sheriff’s Department was openly advising keeping a loaded gun at hand, due to looters (several of which were shot and killed during the fires). I have a right to self-defense and the means and the will, if necessary. This is where I part company with those that advocate ceding that to the police. I have a quite a few friends in law enforcement, both local and federal and, in private, they all say the same thing that Joe Biden did: Arm yourself and protect yourself.
