by Steve James on Mon Aug 31, 2015 12:49 pm
Well, it's certainly true that we become familiar with the names of mass shooters. But, though they get too much attention, it's precisely because of the nature of their acts/crimes. True, many can name a mass murderer. Otoh, 1) most of us can name more than one serial killer; but their names don't come up when gun control is discussed. 2) We can't name the civilians who've prevented mass shootings; but, then again, we don't remember the names of the victims either. Name one child killed at Sandy Hook Elementary or at Columbine. It's not a greater tragedy that we don't know the names of anyone.
Afa preventing mass shootings, it's nice to argue that all it takes is someone armed there to take that person down. Well, okay, but that throws out the argument of deterrence. It assumes that a (mentally ill) person may stand up and begin shooting anywhere in society, and that there should be no gun free zones. Moreover, this doesn't stop mass shootings, only limits the damage, and it only deters sane people --who wouldn't stand up and start killing a crowd anyway. Clearly, metal detectors and strip searches would prevent mass shootings in schools, theaters, churches, government buildings, apartment houses, stores, malls, etc.
Anyway, I think it was a good idea to have metal detectors and searches in clubs and bars. I think it's sick to argue that there should be armed people everywhere. It's sad because as everyone is quick to point out, these incidents are rare. So, we end up with people arguing that guns should be everywhere because of rare events, but that the problem is not rare events but ordinary crime in bad neighborhoods.
Hey, I get it that some people just feel more comfortable when they're armed. Some people really should feel that way. Otoh, that has nothing to do with how to prevent mentally ill people from going berserk.
Btw, afa the KKK, race and gun control, there have been plenty of Black Americans who believed in the right to bear arms precisely because they were the victims of KKK terrorism. Robert F. Williams was one of the most well known people who disagreed with "non-violence." There's a book about him "Negroes with Guns." They weren't well liked, of course. Neither were the Deacons, or Malcolm X, or the original Black Panthers (for whom Gov. Ron Reagan instituted gun control legislation --though they never shot anyone). They all believed in the right of self-defense. I suppose the Indians believe it too. Shucks, everyone believes it for himself.
Last edited by
Steve James on Mon Aug 31, 2015 12:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"A man is rich when he has time and freewill. How he chooses to invest both will determine the return on his investment."