Commonsense Solutions to Mass Shootings

Who wins?  Our children’s futures or gun rights?  What solutions are viable?

In an Op-Ed in the Denver Post, a student stated, “I am 17 years old. I have lived through 32 mass shootings, meaning I have seen more news stories about innocent people gunned down than I have celebrated birthdays.”  Reading this made me very sad and disgusted that this debate has continued since Columbine but little has been done. Thankfully, I didn’t have this worry when I was 17!

Since the most recent shooting in Florida, I have been listening and arguing about the gun issue. Therefore, I decided to do a blog to explore this topic.  Obviously, there is no ONE fix; we can’t prevent EVERY incidence, but we can and should do much more!  And if we save one life, it is worth it.  We can’t prevent every accident when driving either, but we have passed laws requiring seatbelts, and car seats for young children. Our cars have more safety features, and w we must be trained, licensed and insured to drive a car!  Certainly, not everyone follows these laws to the tee, but it has saved many lives and doing nothing is not the answer!

Let’s face it, America is obsessed with their guns and violence.  We have a culture of violence, in our television shows, movies, games, on our streets, and in our rhetoric.  Each of us might take a look at how we can help be the change in those areas!  Personally, I won’t go to violent movies nor watch TV shows that are extremely violent, unless it is a short clip to make a specific point.  Do you let your children go to violent movies?  Do you use violent words in conversation? I will never own a gun and didn’t even let my son play with toy guns as a child. This obsession with weapons and violence is killing too many of our children!  By watching constant violence, it tells them that violence is normal and acceptable.   Please give it thoughtful consideration because we cannot continue down the current track; if we keep doing what we’ve been doing, we will keep getting more of what we’ve gotten!

The U.S. has more mass shootings (defined as the murder of 4 or more) than any other industrialized country!  A total of 146 of them between 1967 and 2017 averaging 8 killed, often including the perpetrator. That rate has tripled since 2011.  Between 1982 and 2011 a mass shooting happened about every 200 days and up to 2014 about every 64 days.  There have already been 30 this year in the US and we aren’t even a quarter through our year!  11,000 people are killed from firearm assaults each year; more people from guns than many other ways to die. (http://www.businessinsider.com/how-many-mass-shootings-in-america-this-year-2018-2)  Check out the list in the article sited,  and  notice that states who have banned weapons, have not had a mass shooting!  (Also, see the paragraph further down about states who have passed legislation). Is there a correlation or is this  just a coincidence??

America makes up about 4.4% of the world’s population, yet we own 42% of the guns. We own more guns than there are Americans!  Not coincidentally, the number of guns in a country increases the odds that there will be a mass shooting!  Also, Americans sell and traffic weapons to other countries so we are supplying many of the guns that others use to create crimes worldwide.  Americans made up 31% of massive shootings from 1966-2012 worldwide and I suspect that rate may have increased since then. Check out this article: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/07/world/americas/mass-shootings-us-international.html Guns also play a large role in suicides and family violence; the two people I know killed by guns were in a suicide and a family altercation.

Furthermore, I don’t buy into the 2nd Amendment argument.  I wish people stood up more for some of the other amendments than always quoting this one.  The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution reads: “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”  It states we have the right to “a well-regulated militia”; are all citizens part of a militia now?  And at what point are my rights to attend school, go to the movies, or a concert as or more important than someone else carrying a gun?  And one of the reasons this amendment was included initially is to control slaves from uprising.  I think it has been over used, and that our safety should come first.  Curiously, the President doesn’t approve of gun -free zones, but isn’t the White House such a place?  Will he now allow visitors to conceal and carry there?

Then there is the NRA, (national rifle association) which was originally created to promote safe use of guns and many who joined were hunters.  Now it has morphed into a powerful lobbyist group who buys politicians and promotes the purchase of as many guns as possible.  Millions of dollars are donated to politicians yearly and hence we see little action on their part to take appropriate, sensible action to prevent these mass shootings. Michael Moore  @MMFlint  says in a tweet:

The NRA is a terrorist organization. The media should speak of the NRA in the same way they do ISIS. Total ISIS-inspired deaths in US = 79. Thanks to the NRA & the politicians they buy, we’ve had 1.2 MILLION American gun deaths since John Lennon was shot dead in NYC #NRAKillsKids

  We also have a GOP political climate that foments fear.  Someone is out to get you, someone might come and take your weapons (no one has ever proposed doing that except for Trump recently), and to fear one another.  I cannot say in my over 60 years of life that I have ever felt the need to carry a weapon!  I have never had to defend myself in such a way.  And if you have a weapon, and faced a situation where you might need to use it, are you well trained enough to do so, and is it accessible enough to defend yourself in a critical moment, or could it be used against you, or perhaps landed into the hands of a child?  Frequently we hear of children shooting themselves or friends with guns left unattended in homes. I would not risk that!  I doubt few people are adequately trained well to defend themselves with or without a weapon.

Certainly, many people feel the need  to protect themselves and buy guns to do so.  However, do guns really make you safer? https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/more-guns-do-not-stop-more-crimes-evidence-shows/

Next, let’s explore so of the reasons that mass shootings happen so easily and too frequently. On one list that I found  it stated ,“There could be several possible factors that work together to create a fertile environment for mass murder in the United States.  Most commonly suggested include:

  1. Failure of government background checks due to incomplete databases and/or staff shortages,
  2. Higher accessibility of guns,
  3. The copycat phenomenon,
  4. Desire for fame and notoriety,
  5. The widespread chronic gap between people’s expectations for themselves and their actual achievement, and individualistic culture.
  6. It is debatable whether mental illnessis also a factor  Many of the mass shooters in the U.S. suffered from mental illness, but the estimated number of mental illness cases has not increased as significantly as the number of mass shootings, which tripled from 2011 to 2014.”

Another interesting factor in these shootings is that almost 100% are committed by men!  As Michael Ian, of the New York Times states, “Too many boys are trapped in the same suffocating, outdated model of masculinity, where manhood is measured in strength, where there is no way to be vulnerable without being emasculated, where manliness is about having power over others. They are trapped, and they don’t even have the language to talk about how they feel about being trapped, because the language that exists to discuss the full range of human emotion is still viewed as sensitive and feminine.  Men feel isolated, confused and conflicted about their natures. Many feel that the very qualities that used to define them — their strength, aggression and competitiveness — are no longer wanted or needed; many others never felt strong or aggressive or competitive to begin with. We don’t know how to be, and we’re terrified.” https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/21/opinion/boys-violence-shootings-guns.html  Shouldn’t we take this into consideration as we raise our young men by teaching them compassion, empathy and ways to deal with conflict without resorting to violence?  And I suspect as more women are elected to office, they might get something done on this issue.

Next, let’s consider each of the items listed above and what solutions might work. Doing nothing, as Congress seems to be doing, is not the answer!  Thank goodness the young people are taking a stand and will be able to vote soon as well. We need to vote out those who will not take action! Read about the courageous students in Florida: http://centurylink.net/news/read/category/news/article/the_associated_press-florida_students_pushing_for_gun_regulations_face-ap

First, we can easily legislate for more thorough background checks, and integrate databases more thoroughly so that mental and legal information can be obtained on those who want to purchase a weapon.   For example, anyone who has background of domestic abuse, or violent actions should not have a weapon.  Women are more likely to be abused – 85% of the 10 million domestic violence cases are women.

Secondly, guns are too easy to obtain!  In my estimation,  we should follow similar procedures as we do for being able to operate a motor vehicle.  You must have some training to properly drive (or shoot), you must test your knowledge of the rules and safety issues, you must register your car (and so should you guns), you must have insurance in case of an accident or injury (right now who pays the medical bills for those who are shot?), and for guns, also require a background check.

Also, many Americans feel that military assault weapons are not necessary for private citizens and I agree.  You certainly don’t need them for hunting.   In most of the mass shootings these types of weapons  have been used for the purpose of killing many people at one time.  Many people agree that NO citizen needs a military assault weapon that is made for massive killings!   These weapons are meant for combat. In an article, an emergency doctor tells how  treating   those wounded from assault weapons differs from that of other weapons: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/02/what-i-saw-treating-the-victims-from-parkland-should-change-the-debate-on-guns/553937/

From the Washington Post, “A Quinnipiac poll released Tuesday, for instance, found that 67 percent of Americans, including 53 percent of gun owners, say they favor such a ban — the highest level of support seen on this question since 20 children and six educators were murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012.”  Seven states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws banning assault weapons. Some others like CaliforniaHawaiiMarylandMassachusetts and New Jersey, have stricter laws about obtaining these weapons according to the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. In addition, Minnesota and Virginia regulate assault weapons, the center said.

In the past we had such a regulation and it made a difference and should be brought back.  “The Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act, commonly called the federal Assault Weapons Ban (AWB and AWB 1994), was enacted in September 1994.”  This bill banned the manufacture of 19 military-style assault weapons and types of high-capacity ammunition magazines of more than 10 rounds. It was not renewed by Congress when it expired in 2004.  The purpose of the bill ‘was to reduce the frequency and lethality of mass shootings’ and what could be wrong with that? Statistics vary in its effectiveness but some say we have seen a 183-200% increase in shootings of 6 or more people since its expiration. In the list of mass shootings and weapons used:   8 out of 20 were assault weapons. 40% is pretty high and a common thread. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_shootings_in_the_United_States

Some states have taken action, but I feel we need a federal policy so that people can’t cross borders to purchase or use weapons of mass destruction.  So far seven states and the District of Columbia have laws that ban assault weapons.  Other states, such as California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and New Jersey regulate assault weapons.  Sad to say, in my own state, lawmakers passed some gun legislation and then a couple of the legislators were sadly recalled.  I would feel safer living in a state that banned assault weapons.

Also, corporations are taking a stance. Recently, there is an increase in companies who have agreed not to sell bump stocks and automatic assault weapons.  And many companies have distanced themselves from the NRA. Access to guns is too easy!  You can purchase them through private means, or in stores or at gun shows. Some loopholes exist in various states that do not require a waiting period, or a background check.  It is harder to get some over the counter drugs or to get a driver’s license than it is to get an assault weapon. I don’t think that’s right and those loopholes need to be fixed at a federal level so that all states comply!

Another solution is to raise the age to obtain weapons, and Florida has started that since this past shooter was able to get an assault weapon at his age, but not a hand gun.  This is one deterrent, but it doesn’t do much since many of the shooters have been adults. With the issue of notoriety and fame, there is not much we can do, other than the media downplaying the shooter by not using their name, and instead focusing on the victims and the solutions.

Often, politicians just say shooters have mental health issues.  Obviously. I don’t think anyone with right frame of mind would shoot small children or anyone.  Then why did this administration roll back the order that mentally ill could not obtain weapons?   That needs to be reinstated.  Certainly, those who are reported with mental conditions should be included in the background checks and not allowed to purchase any weapons.  Again, it is just a part of the solution.  It takes a sick person to commit these outrageous crimes, but without an easily -acquired assault weapon at their fingertips, we can likely stop many of these tragedies.

Some have suggested the solution is arming our teachers.  ‘The Department of Education estimates there are approximately 131,890 public and private K-12 schools in America, meaning it could take 1.3 million armed guards to secure the nation’s schools. That’s equal to the size of the entire active duty U.S. military today.’ I totally disagree with arming teachers for many reasons. First teachers are called to their profession to teach, not to be law enforcers. Secondly, in these shooting situations, it is so chaotic that no one would know who the shooter is and many more could be killed. It could put children at more risk with weapons in the classroom.  Furthermore, teachers would have to be trained and supplied with weapons which is very costly. Not even the armed security at schools have helped in these shootings, and some were even too afraid to confront the shooter.  Trained police only hit 25% of their targets.  Three people were shot in the Congressional baseball game before any armed police came to the rescue. The element of surprise is on the gunman’s side. Most importantly, the majority of teachers do not want to have weapons; they want to teach.  This is not a good solution.

In 2011 when Representative Gabby Giffords and 17 others were shot, even though some of the crowd had weapons, it was a 74-year old unarmed man who tackled the gunman when he stopped to reload.  It doesn’t always take a gun to stop a gun! And if that shooter had an automatic weapon he would not have stopped to reload and likely have killed many more. More weapons helpful?  Banks report in 2016, there were 3,733 commercial bank robberies across the U.S, according to the FBI’s own bank crime statistics. … Armed guards aren’t nearly the kind of deterrent that many think they are.

Another possible solution, with a cost, is to put in more security systems in schools. Many already have buzzers and security on the premise.  But schools aren’t the only place where shootings occur.  What about churches, shopping malls, movie theaters and outdoor concerts? We live in a free society, and we cannot prevent every tragedy.  But I think that many of the solutions we have explored can be done…almost all of them.  The one that will do the most good is to ban high-powered military assault weapons.

What can we citizens do?

We must take the bold action to vote in officials who will make that happen and who will not be bought and paid for by the NRA. Make your voice heard; our legislators work for US and are hired by us.

We also need to get corporate money out of politics (see Move to Amend and prior blog).

Make a pledge to put down our weapons.

Join and support groups like March for our Lives; Ceasefire; and the Brady foundation.

Teach tolerance, and non-violent means of resolving problems.

Comments are closed.