What's The Harm?

Hi,

It's happened again. Another automatic weapon. Another shooting. Another school. More dead. More children and those willing to give their lives to protect them.... dead.

If you ask why, you get a plethora of varying answers, depending largely on who you ask. One side, in particular, believes vehemently that restricting guns of any kind won't do anthing to stop mass killings. Killers will find a way to kill. Period. 

What would be the harm in proving that theory? 

What would be the harm. Let's entertain the thought for just a second. What if assault rifles were taken out of the mix? What is the downside of trying it? If you truly believe it would make no difference in the number of mass killings, then you'd think you would be chomping at the bit to prove it once and for all.

On the flipside, let's say, for argument's sake that it does make a difference, and over the next few years, the number of mass killings is reduced by 50%. Even if it's only 50%, or  25%, or 10% wouldn't that be worth it? Fewer parents having to bury their babies. I just don't see the downside.

I've chosen to rely on a bunch of international stats and studies put forth by universities and statisticians who don't have a dog in this particular fight.  

Every single one I found shows that Countries who enforce forms of gun restrictions, albeit in varying degrees, not only pretty much eradicate mass shootings, but violent crime, as a whole, decreases significantly. Just ask Australia, they had a mass shooting in 1996, immediately imposed gun laws and they haven't had one since. That's not a coincidence.

I've heard the argument more than once that it's a cultural thing. America has a strong "gun culture." that runs historically deep.

And?

Again, try the experiment. If you're proved correct, shoot on. If not, maybe it's just time to let your culture evolve. Cultures evolve and change all the time. If they didn't, I would still be considered the property of my husband and get arrested for showing my ankles in public. Change is good.

Besides, you can't assume any theory is correct without testing it. 

. 

In the meantime, our dearest neighbours to the south, as you watch the body count of your innocent citizens rise, you need to find a way to explain to your scared and traumatized kids why you're not willing to at least give it a chance. Why you're not willing to entertain the thought. 

No country is without its problems, without its blemishes, its darkness. No country can claim a perfect history. But, when we have the chance, shouldn't we do whatever we can to ensure that our grandkids can look back at this particular stretch in time and be proud of the fact that we did everything we could?

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Well, now that that's off my chest, I can breathe again.

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With those touched by this latest tragedy in mind.........

May you receive more than words, more than empty thoughts and prayers, more than cards of sympathy from strangers.

May you receive the action you crave, the answers you need, the conduct required to obstruct future dangers.

May you find a way through this fire, a way to retrieve the pieces of your tortured, tattered souls.

May the anger, pain, and trauma someday morph into strength and purpose, propelling you toward new goals.

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Until next time.....

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