Every time there’s a mass shooting, the conversation divides into three camps: 1) “Guns don’t kill people; people kill people,” which closely aligns with the “If we ban guns, only criminals will have guns” faction; 2) “We absolutely need sensible gun regulations to decrease these mass shootings”; and 3) Those who insist, “We mustn’t politicize this tragedy.”
Misguided Arguments
Let’s break down why two of these arguments are seriously misguided:
The first two viewpoints often come hand in hand. Just recently, fifty-nine people lost their lives in a shooting in Las Vegas, with over 500 more injured. In Las Vegas, it’s completely legal to stroll around with a machine gun. After yet another act of violence by a man who “snapped,” many people justifiably argue that it’s time to reform our laws to help prevent similar events in the future. This is typically met with claims that guns are merely “tools,” insisting that if someone is determined to commit murder, they could just as easily use a hammer, a knife, or even a car. “Don’t blame the gun,” they say, echoing the NRA’s notion that having more “good guys” with guns will somehow deter the “bad guys.”
These arguments are straightforward to dismantle: A person perched on the 32nd floor of a hotel couldn’t have inflicted harm on 59 individuals and injured over 500 by tossing hammers and knives out of the window. A few might have been hurt, but certainly not on that scale. And while it’s true that cars can be used to harm crowds, cars require registration and insurance. We know that while some might drive without these, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to regulate it!
Regulations on how much Sudafed people can purchase don’t eliminate meth-related issues entirely, but they do help reduce rates of abuse and addiction. Similarly, seat belt laws don’t guarantee that no kids will die in car accidents, but they do lower the likelihood. Drunk driving laws haven’t eradicated the problem, but they’ve reduced fatalities significantly. And while having locks on our doors won’t stop every break-in, it’s still a sensible precaution.
This is the only issue where the inability to completely solve a problem is used as an excuse for inaction. Imagine if a doctor said, “This medication can lower your cholesterol and decrease your heart attack risk,” only for people to oppose it by claiming, “Some folks will still have heart attacks… and we’re all going to die eventually anyway!”
The Time for Discussion
Now, we’re confronted with a new argument: “Now is not the time to discuss this.” But really, when would be a good time? People are grieving; families have been shattered! “You’re politicizing a tragedy!” they shout. Absolutely! This issue demands political engagement. It’s ludicrous for this not to be a political matter. If a dam breaks, we immediately start discussing building codes to prevent a repeat. That’s the essence of politics—addressing our societal problems.
Here’s the reality: AMERICA HAS A GUN PROBLEM.
I know, it’s unsettling to think about. But guess what? We SHOULD feel uneasy. And we shouldn’t postpone addressing this issue until next week, next year, or until the blood has been washed away and the bullet holes patched up. This needs immediate attention. We tend to forget quickly. Our nation seems to have a case of Trump-induced PTSD mixed with attention-deficit disorder. If I don’t get this post out now, folks will either drown in a sea of opinions or shift their focus to the next shiny topic.
Just two days ago, the president of the United States did something horrifically unpresidential and racist. Do you remember what it was? If not, maybe these tweets will jog your memory.
Plus, Tom Petty passed away too, and that makes me sad because I adored his music. How do we keep track of all the issues that deserve our attention?! And in just a couple of days, the morally bankrupt individual we elected will tweet something so outrageous that yesterday’s horror will seem mild. We’ll move on, just as we did from Newtown, Charleston, and Orlando.
The time for discussing sensible gun regulations is now—NOT two weeks from now, but RIGHT NOW. There are practical steps we can take to lessen the frequency of these tragedies, and talking about it is far from “disrespectful” to the victims. Ignoring the problem would be the true disrespect.
America has a gun problem, and it doesn’t need just your “thoughts and prayers.” It requires ACTION. NOW. Not later. NOW! Not after we’ve been sidetracked by another crisis. NOW!
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Summary
The conversation around gun violence in America is urgent and demands immediate attention. Rather than waiting for the dust to settle after tragedies, we should engage in discussions about sensible gun regulations and practical measures to reduce these incidents. It’s critical to act now, not later, to address this pressing issue.