Forum Post: On Homicides in Society - it is not the availability of weapons.
Posted 11 years ago on Jan. 10, 2013, 3:12 p.m. EST by DKAtoday
(33802)
from Coon Rapids, MN
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
Most of these shootings - at schools and at individual homes comes down to one thing - improper securing of the firearm used - when that fire arm is used by someone other than the owner.
Yes there really is no need for guns to fire rapidly 10 shots or more - just by pulling a trigger. They really should not be able to fire like more then 3 without needing to be reloaded and those 3 rounds need not be auto-matic at the pull of the trigger but could require a cocking between each round fired.
But the main problem is the fire arms being properly safely secured when not in use.
Murders will happen regardless of gun ownership.
List of countries by intentional homicide rate - Wikipedia, the free ... en.wikipedia.org/.../List_of_countries_by_intentional_homicide_rate See also: List of countries by intentional homicide rate by decade. List of countries by intentional homicide rate per year per 100,000 inhabitants.
I copied the above link as it does not go into homicides by type of weapon - just shows homicides by country.
Notice that the USA really is not the murder capitol of the world.
But take into account - those countries that top the list are seriously screwed in the running of their societies = SERIOUSLY SICK SOCIETIES
Note - that areas where the population is treated poorly by their governments and the businesses allowed to operate there - are the highest murder rates.
As a society fails ( and currently the USA is failing ) it's people - crime and violence rise in that society.
The cure for violence is a healthy society that looks for ways to make a healthy environment for ALL - not for the FEW.
more people are not f dying in the world because of the international weapons market
Global Arms Sales By Supplier Nations
39% United States
18% Russia
8% France
7% United Kingdom
5% Germany
3% China
3% Italy
11% Other European
5% Others
http://www.globalissues.org/article/74/the-arms-trade-is-big-business#GlobalArmsSalesBySupplierNations
I wouldn't say the "main" problem with gun violence is people not properly securing them. The main problem is definitely gang related aka poverty, lack of opportunity, and dumb drug laws related. Specifically in my city. Unless you're talking about the more "random incidents" (for lack of a better term) like when a kid shoots his brother over a dumb argument, as in the story linked by GirlFriday earlier on a post.
But you are right. Gun safety needs to be respected. My uncle who lives out in the "country" in Kansas taught me about gun safety when I was 12 when he took me and my cousins skeet shooting. He always locked up his guns, they weren't loaded, and he kept them out of reach from his kids, when he was not right next to them. Many people have suggested they need a gun loaded to the barrel right next to their bed - and that is not gun safety. That is bogus and leads to the problems you're talking about in your post. It makes guns easy to steal if you are not home as well.
Another huge problem in violence is people would rather talk about the violence in movies instead of the massive war culture that is America at war, where many violent movies get inspiration. A society where a man with a gun is a hero.
The main problem with accidental shootings and with guns taken by children of gun owners and used at school is that they were not properly secured.
Your other points are well taken :
home defense starts at the entry points into the home - making sure they are secure and are gonna require noisy time consuming work for an intruder to gain entry - thereby allowing the gun owner to call for help and also get and unlock and load their weapon.
Gangs and gang violence? Symptoms of a sick society that does not offer healthy opportunity to all of it's citizens - as well as denying freedom of choice in personal things such as recreational drug use - just like the failed alcohol prohibition.
Also movies do raise gun violence to heroic action - even in the criminal use they often depict - so yes media pushing sick values also needs to be addressed.
"The main problem with accidental shootings and with guns taken by children of gun owners and used at school is that they were not properly secured." - Very true.
Good post!
Thx - trying to bring some sanity into these posts. Proper complete consideration.
The whole approach that movies and video games cause violence is nothing but an excuse for people who do bad things. The idea that "it's society's fault" is a load of crap.
could society be adjusted to prevent violence ?
It's starts with kids, parents have to teach their kids that violence is fun in video games and movies but can't be done in real life.
ATTENTION Gun Debaters…Please Read This Entire Article…‘The Riddle of the Gun’ By Sam Harris
http://www.samharris.org/blog/item/the-riddle-of-the-gun
Well my take on this is all parents with children should't be allowed to own firearms until all children have reached the age of 18 - which is the legal age to own a firearm.
That would stop a lot of firearms being used by these kids especially when their parents own them and don't lock them up.
However, there are provisions in the laws of states that do require gun owners to lock their firearms away from children. There are also some states that require firearms to be registered - I know Mass used to be like that - don't know if it still applies.
Accidental shootings comes down to neglect on the owners part. No one being perfect - guns should come with a trigger lock in place and the purchaser shown how to use it.
That being said - there will always be the inconsiderate individual - and so the accidental death - but we can and should do what we can to eliminate as many accidental circumstances that we can. That can start with the inclusion of proper safety equipment being required on all gun sales.
All the new firearms purchases I have made in the last several years included a "trigger lock" as part of the purchase.
One of the problems is "people in most states are not required to take a "safety training" program"
People walk into gun shops all the time purchasing hand guns and have never fired a firearm in their life.
I feel that should be a requirement in all states
Like getting a drivers permit - then testing out for a license.
TWEETED
Food for thought.
Please consider and share/circulate.
That's a hell of a coincidence. I was just looking at that link last night.
You and I seem to do that a lot. Synchronicity? {:-])
Yeah, I noticed that. Like minds think alike. I checked out that Wiki page to compare Great Britain and the US specifically, but was surprised by some of the other stats. One thing's for sure. You do NOT want to live in places like El Salvador or Honduras. And I thought we had it bad.
Sick societies breed violence - lets all of us do our best to heal our society - then ( even at the same time ) extend that healing to others.
Agreed.
Peace and health can be prosperous work - for the spirit as well as the pocket.
Especially for the spirit. For the pocket? A nice bonus as well.
Feed the spirit - yep a fed pocket is a bonus. Living wage for all - and see more people feeding their spirit doing work they like rather then one that keeps a roof over their head.
Fully agree with a living wage for all. And if you're lucky enough to be doing something you enjoy, it's great, 'cause trudging to a job you hate day in and day out is very damaging to you mental (and physical) health.
I pretty much loved my last job - except for the pay and the attitude of some of the execs ( fortune 500 wannabes ). It was challenging ( QA ) and varied greatly in needs and contacts - work on a daily basis had variety - and the product benefited the worker as well as the business where the worker was employed. With a living wage and dedicated execs ( dedicated to their employees and the business over and above their own pockets ) it would have made for a very nice place for all who worked there.
Yeah, variety goes a long way towards keeping a job interesting. Practically a necessity. Otherwise, you're basically just a robot.
Different individuals have different needs - but - yeah - I think most having an experience of variety - would prefer it - some? - well - some would love nothing more then a safe secure routine. This though I think also goes to the point of an improper/lacking education and the availability of creative work.
Good point. My brother absolutely needs routine. He hates variety. I, on the other hand, am exactly the opposite.
And I like to be able to set up a schedule - but - I don't mind in setting it up for a one run basis. Everyone is different - in many small ways - the thing is finding/recognizing and feeding those differences in a healthy/fulfilling way. This goes to proper education - which I feel needs to include the exploration/understanding of self then directing the fullest most positive feeding of self.