Guns aren't the problem. Would people be happier if there were more stabbings than shootings? Or would they campaign to ban knives too? Murder is murder regardless of the method.
Michael Moore's movie wasn't really anti-gun, but rather a poke at the alarmist culture in America and the cultural attitude of using violence to solve problems. Another criticism i would have is the "nanny culture" in America or blaming anything other than yourself for your problems. People blame the gun and not the murderer. Another example would be blaming McDonalds because you are obese. The media also participates by overhyping things such as school shootings by turning killers into celebrities.
Just because you have a well-armed civilian populace doesn't mean that people will go gangbusters. Even if by some miracle all guns were banned, people would just get more creative in their endeavors to kill. You can't ban everything. Besides, in my experience, police are pretty worthless. And unless you have one stationed at your side at all times, then they are the crime scene pickup. And if i choose to have a weapon for protection then i should make the choice ,not the goverment. Banning guns doesn't make the peril any less. Right now there is a serial killer running around in my area who is kidnapping and stabbing women to death. You don't need a gun to be a scary criminal.
One solution i would have would be to legalize all drugs. Most inner city violence is drug-related. Let's face it, if alcohol prohibition didn't work, then why do we think drug prohibition will? What i put in my body is my business and there are already laws to deal with me if i act criminally. People who think that drug use will rise dramatically with legalization ignore reality. Drugs are here and everywhere already. This would empty jails and make space for real criminals and also give police a lighter workload. I would much rather the police concentrate on capturing violent criminals then going after somebody's basement marijuana farm. Besides, when was the last time you heard of people killing each other routinely over moonshine?
Throwing dollars at something isn't going to solve the problem. Look at how much money has been thrown at the "Just Say No" type campaigns. To say they haven't been effective in stopping kids from doing drugs is an understatement. People do things because they can. Murders happen because people don't fear repercussions. Mainly because cops have their hands and jails full. Violent offenders are released early everyday to make way for new prisoners. It's not much of a deterrent when you know that if you are caught, you aren't serving your full sentence. Guns are neutral, they are just things. I guess asphyxiation and knifing aren't as sexy. |