After exhausting the possibility of music, video games, or movies being the catalyst for committing mass atrocities through semi-automatic gunfire, finally some have arrived at the stunning conclusion that these acts can only be carried out by the mentally ill. It is a fact that I do not attempt to dispute, but have a tough time hearing the full-throated argument that something must be done to protect society from these people who either spend their lives on the streets, in a prison cell or a mental state of constant social friction. Neither pity nor empathy has ever fueled any change in their circumstance, and neither will this unwarranted blame.
Politicians from both sides of the spectrum have always made bold promises on from all fronts for new federal policies on gun access. While one side heralds what it calls “gun-control” the other prides itself on the extreme opposite – only guns can prevent gun crimes. After a mass-shooting though, these ideals always take on a different face. Instead of their usual talking points, they go to more extremes that are sure to do two things – anger gun owners and sell more guns. Hysteria is the best marketing tool for an industry traditionally ostracized from advertising in the mainstream. They, after decades of being regulated to small markets of gun-convention enthusiasts, proudly profess love for law and order, while acting as arms dealers for gangs, drug dealers, and hunters. The only thing that brings each side together is that familiar player in American politics that is usually employed to mute any calls for cooler heads to prevail: outrage.
In the aftermath, the only outrage that we need to hear from should be of the victims. It is only their voices that can unite us against the prospects of joining their ranks. Not everyone with a machine gun is a killer, but every killer with a machine gun has one because we allowed for them to have it. We empowered legislators to let gun lobbyists write restrictions when we gave in to the unfounded fear that government was going to take away all our guns or that the idea of a national gun registry was straight out of an Orwellian playbook.
That is the kind of paranoia that in other countries might be the sole justification for restrictions, but in our country is paraded as the “right of the people to form a well-regulated militia.” A standard fantasy of bigots and fanatics is the overthrowing of the government through the means of urban warfare with the most powerful military ever assembled. The concept that this is sounds more like the ramblings of an mentally ill person but are brought out each time an elected official even hints at limiting access to firearms.
These groups ready the tea, boil the internet-fervor into a frenzy, and post sordid support for quasi-terrorist groups that would be classified as such had they operated in an inner city or hid darker skin beneath their store-bought camo gear. Holding these beliefs, they act out on them to the point of marching in a field with other ammo-clip clad cosplayers. The whole thing gets swept aside as men who are God-fearing fathers and brothers that care about the country that they love. In no way do they believe they can show this dedication other than by forming a cell of other like-minded men who all think that one-day society will fall apart, and we will be sucked back into the chaotic anarchy of our past.
Blaming mental illness for gun violence is another attempt at scapegoating a group that has barely enough support from society to stay out of prison, but not enough to get a hospital room. It adds to the stigma that those who have mental illness are always about to snap. When one does, it is easy to vilify that person no matter how many cracks they fell through. So many chose to kill themselves before any violent thoughts can enter their mind. Their suffering is a personal one that is concealed from loved ones as well as strangers until they either decide to seek help or end up using a gun on themselves.
The only place I’ve ever fired a gun is on a farm. Family members provided guidance and, from the start, made safety a priority. In the Midwest, guns are not what they are to people in urban cities dealing with gang violence just like they are not the same to people in communities where gun culture was introduced only in popular media. There they found the glorified vigilante, the brave yet fragile detective, a host of gangsters and other characters that fulfilled every stereotype imaginable.
To these people, and more moderates than is generally acknowledged, guns are not the problem. They do not see the weapons (some military grade) as being the offenders. There will be the usual apples-to-oranges arguments made about if people want to kill people they’d do it by any means, but in their hearts, these citizens hold onto an interpretation of a constitutional amendment as something like a biblical commandment. Things like Due Process, Right to a Jury, or Civil Forfeitures get little coverage on the nightly news while guns, guns, and more guns are always front and center with the same chryon claiming nothing will be done to prevent the next horrific attack.
Another instance in current society where defeatist propaganda declares both sides of a disagreement as harborages of doom and destruction. The back-and-forth wares down the public to believe that there is no universal ground between these two parties. Why aren’t the family members of law enforcement officers in the street together with gun victims wanting a safer community for all? Probably because the way each side sells the conflict as two warring factions. On the one hand, you have a government ordained cartel armed with weapons of war then on the other you have viscous street thugs with no reason to live past eighteen. Neither of them is close to describing LEOs or citizens engaged in gang activities. They are only there to provide fodder for political action committee commercials. In cities where communities are coming together, the fight is a long one. Socio-economic factors that have after being ignored for generations stand firm; dividing us against each other to the point of ignoring any shared past.
Split into two groups; we cling to the righteous indignation of whichever side we are aligned with while feeding only our most hardcore beliefs. It makes us more comfortable being manipulated by either party into doing what each of them wants us to do the most: nothing.
People that want to “take the guns out of the hands of criminals” need to realize that, to do this, you have to have first the voluntary participation of said criminals. Then entrust a new set of draconian powers onto a group that we are currently on the wrong side of a national debate on whether or not their indiscriminately killing of African American men is healthy for society.
Those of us that want safe access to firearms must see the place in a modern society for restrictions and regulatory oversight. And we must give up on the stupid idea of a “good guy with a gun” that has plagued every law about gun control that leads to more guns sold. Tactical training is something that takes years, and a dedication few people have. To make this comment is to disregard the level of commitment people in the military and law enforcement make to go against every human instinct as they rush into a firefight. We can all fantasize in our head about saving the day like our favorite film heroes, but we are fearful and protective creatures when it comes down to the possibility of death. There are chemicals in our body that fill our brain for the sole purpose of survival. We can’t merely ignore science that doesn’t align with our constitutional beliefs. The same reasoning, we outlaw tanks and bazookas could one day be used in a court to justify banning assault rifles, but all of that is never brought up is that America is different than its counterparts in that when whatever law does get passed, it doesn’t interfere with existing ownership. There are not going to be groups going house to house confiscating guns.
The only way that will happen is if gun owners allow the extremes of their side to give in to visceral hate and a legislative agenda that leaves loopholes in place for gun shows or prevents government agencies from studying gun violence effect on national health.
More shootings will happen if we rely only on law enforcement, life-long bureaucrats, and celebrity activists to dictate party platform. Ban bump-stocks all you want, but with the coming of 3D printers, you’re going to have to address the same situation all over again. What one government agency thinks is a reason to disarm you could be different than the next. You cannot rely on the federal government alone to legislate change.
Get gun owners to boycott gun manufacturers who pay advocates for loose gun laws. Maintain a federal background check system with participation from the gun lobbies who have the most to lose. Do things that will change the situation, not merely add to one side of the scale.
There doesn’t have to be an abolition of people’s rights to make our country safer, and gun owners should be at the forefront of a more regulated system of checks and balances on any weapon of any caliber, capacity, or capability.
