As we face yet another tragedy involving mass gun violence, society seems to fracture into three distinct camps: 1) The “Guns don’t kill people; people kill people” brigade, which closely echoes the sentiment that if guns are outlawed, only criminals will have them; 2) Advocates for sensible gun regulations that aim to diminish the frequency of these horrific events; and 3) Those who insist that we should not politicize such tragedies.
Let’s dismantle two of these arguments, shall we?
The first two perspectives often go hand in hand. Recently, 59 lives were lost in a mass shooting, and over 500 individuals suffered injuries. In Las Vegas, it’s legal to stroll around with a machine gun. Following another incident where a man, in a fit of rage, chose to take lives before ending his own, many began to call for legislative changes to prevent future occurrences. Yet, this call for change is met with claims that guns are merely “tools,” arguing that if someone is determined to kill, they could use a hammer, knife, or even a vehicle. “Don’t blame the gun,” they say. This rhetoric, heavily promoted by gun lobbyists, suggests that we need more armed citizens to counteract the threat posed by those with ill intent.
These arguments are easily refuted: A shooter perched in a high-rise hotel could not have inflicted mass casualties by tossing hammers or knives out of the window. While some might have been harmed, the numbers would pale in comparison. And yes, though cars can be used as weapons, they come with regulations like registration and insurance. Sure, some will still break the law, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t even attempt to enforce regulations!
Consider this: laws that limit Sudafed purchases don’t eradicate meth abuse, but they do help reduce it. Seatbelt laws don’t eliminate child fatalities in accidents, but they decrease the rate. Drunk driving laws don’t stop everyone, yet they significantly lower fatalities. We don’t discard locks on our doors just because they can’t prevent every break-in. It’s absurd that in the case of gun violence, the lack of a complete solution is used as an excuse for inaction.
The notion of “Now is not the time to talk about it” has emerged, but when is the right time? Emotions are raw; families are shattered. Yes, politicizing these tragedies is necessary! If a dam bursts, the conversation around building codes will immediately follow. That’s what politics is for: addressing and fixing problems.
The harsh reality is that America is grappling with a gun crisis. We must confront this issue head-on, not in a week or a year, but right now. If we delay, we risk forgetting. Our society has a troubling tendency to move on quickly from one disaster to the next, as exemplified by the latest shocking events that fade from our collective memory.
The importance of discussing reasonable gun regulations cannot be overstated. It is not disrespectful to the victims to seek solutions; it would be a disservice to ignore the need for reform. America is facing a gun crisis, and it demands action, not just thoughts and prayers. We must act NOW—before we are diverted by another tragedy.
In summary, we need to recognize that gun violence is an urgent issue that requires our immediate attention. By advocating for sensible regulations, we can work towards diminishing the likelihood of future tragedies.
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