I just corrected a gross mistake here on the number of auto deaths. I am not sure what happened, but I had the number very wrong on the high side. I truly try to check these things with two sources prior to publishing, but I do make mistakes. I found this myself in reading some older posts for background for another. My apologies. SP 8/29/18
I wanted to comment on one of the most controversial and widely discussed topics today - gun control/gun violence. Especially with two heinous acts within a span of about a month, this is top of mind and discussions.
I just wanted to put some perspective on these events, as well as bring up some points and questions. I am not trying to dismiss the tragedy or horror of these killings; just trying to have a rational discussion (which is always difficult when concerning an inherently irrational subject).
First let's get into the perspective part:
As horrific and seemingly common these "mass shootings" are - in reality they are still quite uncommon. For example, the church killing of the past week of 27 people was widely reported. But, there were many more deaths that day from auto accidents of people going to and from church than were killed in the church. (I am using averages - not actual deaths that day, where over 80 PER DAY are killed in auto accidents) Now, again, calm down - I am not saying what happened at the church was not tragic and horrible. I am just making a point.
There are more people killed each year from acetaminophen (Tylenol®) overdoses than in mass shootings, for another.
Or, if you truly are worried about human life, how about this one: it is estimated (and it HAS to be estimated because it is not widely reported due to lawsuit fears) that over 250,000 people die each year from hospital medical errors - ERRORS - FROM A PLACE WE GO TO GET WELL!
Also, bathtub falls kill more people than the church shooter did!
Again, don't hate the messenger. I am just making a point. The horror shown on the news of innocent people being gunned down triggers a response in us. When have any of you seen a report with news footage of an acetaminophen overdose death?
Now, to the response. Rational, empathetic and sympathetic people cry out - "We must do something!" The cry of "Guns are the problem..." ALWAYS is brought up, Well, B.S.! Guns don't kill people any more than hammers build houses. Guns are a tool, just like hammers, shovels, pencils, fishing rods, etc. None of these inanimate objects do anything except occupy space without being put to use (or misuse) by a human being.
In my opinion, our issues are with:
1) a blatant societal disregard for human life;
2) a concentration on the "ME, ME, ME" aspect of life, and the fixation with news coverage. The last one is two-fold - some people literally live for the "likes", "hits", "re-posts", "re-tweets", etc. of modern life. Others just want what used to be called their "15 minutes of fame/infamy" - even if (or maybe ESPECIALLY if) it is after their dramatic shoot-out death.
As for the cry for gun control - I have a question for anyone that thinks that is the answer...HOW??
We have a drug problem in this world. There are drugs that are universally illegal that any person with a cellphone and/or a friend network of over two people can buy within a day in any spot in the country! And again, these are ILLEGAL! Now, guns are legal. There are estimated by some to be more guns than people in the US. Guns are protected by a specific Constitutional amendment. Meth is not only illegal, the main ingredient is now purchase controlled! Yet, meth is prevalent everywhere! There is NO law or group of laws that could ever be passed that will or would stop mass shootings like Las Vegas or Columbine, or anywhere else. Sorry, but that is a fact. Even if the Second Amendment is repealed and guns are made illegal - there will still be guns. In fact at that point, by definition, ONLY PEOPLE WILLING TO BREAK THE LAW WILL HAVE GUNS!
Now, I am not a pessimist - I am a realist. Are there things we can do that might mitigate these acts? YES! I have no problem with universal background checks. However, the shooter in the recent Texas church shooting PASSED A BACKGROUND CHECK! There was human error involved, but he passed. I also have no problem with a waiting period for obtaining a gun after purchase. This can stop some "crimes of passion" I suppose. However, the Las Vegas shooter had obtained his guns WELL IN ADVANCE of his rampage from the hotel window. Can we ban things like "bump stocks" that make it easier to rapid fire and kill more people - YES. Let's do it. Are there other measures that may help? Probably. But NO LAW IS GOING TO STOP SOMEONE THAT IS ABOUT TO BREAK A LAW ANYWAY! It is a violation of law to shoot someone in most circumstances. So, if someone has decided to shoot out of a hotel window at a crowd, they already have shown a disregard for the law. How would one, two, or a hundred more laws make them more compliant?
We need more mental health care and counseling. We need more personal interaction and communication between all people. By definition, these shooters are mentally deranged. We the people need to be on the lookout for people that need help or need to be watched. Now, I am not talking about a "police state" or a visit to the old Soviet Union, where your neighbor could get ahead by reporting you for talking about the government and all comments were kept hidden. I am talking about a true interaction and reaction with and to our surroundings and neighbors.
Just remember that driving to the concert, school, church, or wherever is still MUCH more dangerous than once you are there - in almost every circumstance. We need to watch out for one another. Also, warn people about acetaminophen/Tylenol®!
As always - civil discourse and cogent responses are welcomed and will be published.
I wanted to comment on one of the most controversial and widely discussed topics today - gun control/gun violence. Especially with two heinous acts within a span of about a month, this is top of mind and discussions.
I just wanted to put some perspective on these events, as well as bring up some points and questions. I am not trying to dismiss the tragedy or horror of these killings; just trying to have a rational discussion (which is always difficult when concerning an inherently irrational subject).
First let's get into the perspective part:
As horrific and seemingly common these "mass shootings" are - in reality they are still quite uncommon. For example, the church killing of the past week of 27 people was widely reported. But, there were many more deaths that day from auto accidents of people going to and from church than were killed in the church. (I am using averages - not actual deaths that day, where over 80 PER DAY are killed in auto accidents) Now, again, calm down - I am not saying what happened at the church was not tragic and horrible. I am just making a point.
There are more people killed each year from acetaminophen (Tylenol®) overdoses than in mass shootings, for another.
Or, if you truly are worried about human life, how about this one: it is estimated (and it HAS to be estimated because it is not widely reported due to lawsuit fears) that over 250,000 people die each year from hospital medical errors - ERRORS - FROM A PLACE WE GO TO GET WELL!
Also, bathtub falls kill more people than the church shooter did!
Again, don't hate the messenger. I am just making a point. The horror shown on the news of innocent people being gunned down triggers a response in us. When have any of you seen a report with news footage of an acetaminophen overdose death?
Now, to the response. Rational, empathetic and sympathetic people cry out - "We must do something!" The cry of "Guns are the problem..." ALWAYS is brought up, Well, B.S.! Guns don't kill people any more than hammers build houses. Guns are a tool, just like hammers, shovels, pencils, fishing rods, etc. None of these inanimate objects do anything except occupy space without being put to use (or misuse) by a human being.
In my opinion, our issues are with:
1) a blatant societal disregard for human life;
2) a concentration on the "ME, ME, ME" aspect of life, and the fixation with news coverage. The last one is two-fold - some people literally live for the "likes", "hits", "re-posts", "re-tweets", etc. of modern life. Others just want what used to be called their "15 minutes of fame/infamy" - even if (or maybe ESPECIALLY if) it is after their dramatic shoot-out death.
As for the cry for gun control - I have a question for anyone that thinks that is the answer...HOW??
We have a drug problem in this world. There are drugs that are universally illegal that any person with a cellphone and/or a friend network of over two people can buy within a day in any spot in the country! And again, these are ILLEGAL! Now, guns are legal. There are estimated by some to be more guns than people in the US. Guns are protected by a specific Constitutional amendment. Meth is not only illegal, the main ingredient is now purchase controlled! Yet, meth is prevalent everywhere! There is NO law or group of laws that could ever be passed that will or would stop mass shootings like Las Vegas or Columbine, or anywhere else. Sorry, but that is a fact. Even if the Second Amendment is repealed and guns are made illegal - there will still be guns. In fact at that point, by definition, ONLY PEOPLE WILLING TO BREAK THE LAW WILL HAVE GUNS!
Now, I am not a pessimist - I am a realist. Are there things we can do that might mitigate these acts? YES! I have no problem with universal background checks. However, the shooter in the recent Texas church shooting PASSED A BACKGROUND CHECK! There was human error involved, but he passed. I also have no problem with a waiting period for obtaining a gun after purchase. This can stop some "crimes of passion" I suppose. However, the Las Vegas shooter had obtained his guns WELL IN ADVANCE of his rampage from the hotel window. Can we ban things like "bump stocks" that make it easier to rapid fire and kill more people - YES. Let's do it. Are there other measures that may help? Probably. But NO LAW IS GOING TO STOP SOMEONE THAT IS ABOUT TO BREAK A LAW ANYWAY! It is a violation of law to shoot someone in most circumstances. So, if someone has decided to shoot out of a hotel window at a crowd, they already have shown a disregard for the law. How would one, two, or a hundred more laws make them more compliant?
We need more mental health care and counseling. We need more personal interaction and communication between all people. By definition, these shooters are mentally deranged. We the people need to be on the lookout for people that need help or need to be watched. Now, I am not talking about a "police state" or a visit to the old Soviet Union, where your neighbor could get ahead by reporting you for talking about the government and all comments were kept hidden. I am talking about a true interaction and reaction with and to our surroundings and neighbors.
Just remember that driving to the concert, school, church, or wherever is still MUCH more dangerous than once you are there - in almost every circumstance. We need to watch out for one another. Also, warn people about acetaminophen/Tylenol®!
As always - civil discourse and cogent responses are welcomed and will be published.
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