This is not a gun control problem.
It's weird that this has brought me back to this a little. I haven't felt much like writing in a while, but for some reason this has made me push forward. Mostly because I'm angry about the whole thing.
In the wake of the horrible incident at Sandy Hook, a lot of people have asked me (i don't know why) what I think could stop this from happening again. I've been kind of wishy washy with my answers in some respect because what I have to say doesn't matter to anyone but me and my girls, but for whatever reason, I feel inclined to share my opinion here.
I fully understand the knee jerk reaction to what has happened. I believe there is an obvious emotional reaction to an extraordinary emotional event like this.
I believe that this is a very deeply rooted problem that doesn't have any easy solution. The cry right now is gun control, to take guns out of the public's hands.This won't work. The main reason I have been quiet about this is because I don't want to offend those who think that gun control will solve the problem. This is a reactionary, ineffective solution that has no chance of success. It is small minded and is akin to putting a band aid on a stage 4 cancer patient.
Whether one is willing to admit it or not, this is a societal problem. Gun laws in this country are more restrictive now than they have been throughout our history. Chicago and Washington DC outlawed guns years ago (Chicago in 1982, DC in 1975), these laws are an abject failure. The country of Mexico has far more restrictive gun laws than we do. How is that working out for them?
The percentage of gun owners in rural areas of Illinois is greater (per capita) than that of metropolitan areas. However the rate of violence committed with a gun is grossly disproportionate in the cities, primarily in our largest city where the possession of guns had been illegal for decades. (the current Chicago ordinance, enacted in 2010, allows one working handgun in a residence).
For the sake of argument, and discounting the fact that it would be unconstitutional, let's assume that as of January 1st the possession of all firearms becomes illegal. The exception would be for police and military. What will be accomplished? Does anyone really believe the 'bad guys' will turn in their guns? Or should we violate another amendment and go door to door searching for them?
We have made street drugs illegal. They are still rampant.
We have made driving intoxicated illegal. Domestic battery too.
Making a law does not compel everyone to follow it. I know those of you who favor gun control are sick of hearing it, but it's true - stricter gun laws will only serve to take guns out of the hands of people who are most likely to follow the law. That doesn't accomplish what you want to do.
So how do we stop this from happening ever again?
Beats me. I think the genie has left the bottle.
I think one has to entertain the notion that the erosion of traditional family values, two parents that work full time, violent film, tv, video games, books, magazines, ect. are at least partially to blame. We, as a nation are less religious than we have been historically. What else has changed? We didn't have this type of crime occurring 50 years ago. That's not what Americans want to hear though. That's backward, non-progressive thought.
But I'm right.
So what are solutions?
I suppose that arming teachers that are willing to be trained is an option. The bad guys don't like it much when people shoot back. Statistically they are likely to self-terminate at that point. End of incident.
The Department of Homeland Security could create a 'school marshal' program akin to the air marshals. School districts could hire police officers to supplement current school officers. Hire armed guards?
All this costs money that no one, thus far, has been willing to spend.
I thank God ( at least I'm still allowed that, just not at work or in schools) that I home school my kids and I'm a police officer. I am in the habit of carrying a gun pretty much everywhere now. I don't like it. I'm not someone who needs a gun to feel powerful or make myself legitimate. I carry all the time now because I could never forgive myself if I allowed something tragic to happen when I could have stopped it at the onset. I carry because I will protect my children (and yours).
Edmund Burke said something to the effect of : All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.
Banning guns will allow for just that to happen. Good men will be forced to do nothing.
