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Is There Really Nothing We Can Do About Killing Sprees?
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Is There Really Nothing We Can Do About Killing Sprees? What can we do? They seem so random. It's been almost 50 years since I first heard those questions asked. 16 people killed by a sniper at the University of Texas. Eight nursing students<b> </font></b>and murdered in Chicago. The 1960s weren't just about peace and love. There were other trends blowing in the wind. This isn't a new problem. And still, it wrenches our collective gut when it happens again. It should. We should never get used to it. The slaughter of twenty in Newtown and the ambush of volunteer fire fighters and burning of seven homes in Webster grab the headlines and our attention. They are the tip of the iceberg. The thousands of single murders by gunshot every year don't provoke the same outrage. They should. Each is a tragedy that is just as painful for those involved with the victims, their families, associates and loved ones. What have we done about it since? Gun control? (A little sarcasm here.) If some people had more control over their guns theses things just wouldn't happen. (End sarcasm.) We have tried to keep guns away from violent criminals. Those efforts are important and we should not abandon them because sometimes they fail. The laws were supposed to keep guns out of the hands of the Webster shooter. Someone helped him get around around the law. Does that mean the law has failed? She's been arrested and charged for her role in putting those guns in his hands. I do hope the, in the end, she gets more than a fine and public embarrassment. Some time in jail would be a meaningful deterrent. It is my hope that would make people think twice before they aid and abet the illegal purchase of weapons of mass murder. There's no minimum sentence guidelines for the crimes she's charged with. People drive faster than the speed limit. And only a small percentage of speeders are ticked and fined. Does that mean that speed limits are useless? NO! Because they do reduce the average speed of drivers and they make the roads safer than they would be without them. Similarly, that some violate gun laws does not make them useless. They do prevent even more tragedies when there is visible enforcement with real consequences. The debate will rage hot and heavy over weather to pass new gun laws to limit the availability of rapid fire, high capacity guns, This will be mostly a political show for fundraising and voter loyalty. I believe in the end a severely neutered and watered down "strong" bill will be passed and everyone will claim victory. Don't be fooled. Will they fund enforcement or will they cut the budgets of the federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and their support? Will they fully fund and staff our courts? Will they resist and thwart efforts to make mental health services more universally available? Call them out on it. Let them know you're watching. I often e-mail my local, county, state and federal representatives and let them know where I stand on important issues. The internet age makes it easier than ever. They often respond. My state senator has even called to discuss issues I've raised in e-mails to him. You CAN make a difference. Get involved. Do something. Fifty years is long enough. It's time we get serious about stemming the tide of lethal violence. And not just by wringing our hands and gossiping about how awful it is. There is some good news as we get to the start of a good year. The number of murders in the US has been declining and significantly in recent years. New York City will have had fewer homicides this year than in any year since 1963. The previous low was in 2009. And it's not just New York. Homicide had been among the top 15 causes since 1965, rising as high as 13th in 2001. It fell to 16 in 2010, replaced by the lung inflammation known as pneumonitis. It's not as hopeless as it might seen. Lets hope this trend continues into 2013. May your new year be filled with success, happiness, love and respect.   En-Joy! |
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Just in today's paper is an article about Chicago. Over 500 killings this year. It hasn't been that high since 2008. It looks like some cities are doing better, some worse. A revolver and a semi-automatic pistol (or rifle) fire at the same rate, as fast as you can pull the trigger. FULLY automatic (rapid fire) is already illegal except to dealers and collectors that have to have special licenses. What needs to be banned is the clips that hold more than 3 for a rifle, and any extended clips for pistols. There's no real need for those high volume clips. Of course, criminals will always (and do now) be able to get whatever they can pay for. Illegal or not.
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"Is There Really Nothing We Can Do About Killing Sprees?" In short ... no. We can pass all the laws we want .... try to enforce those already on the books ... etc. There are certain people that are just plain evil. The presence or lack of "leagal" weapons will not deter these people from committing evil acts. They will always find a way. Since these tragadies have taken place the sale of "assault weapons" has gone through the roof. My local hardware store was "cleaned out" within that following week. And that's just "legal" purchases. Imagine the underground ... black market ... out there. AB No Bozos
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