But I disagree with the sentiment that most people just don't care. That the only explanation to opposing the bill in question is apathy about dead six your olds.
To be sure, I support much tighter gun control. But I don't believe that the opposition doesn't care. I think that their idea of a solution to violence is different than yours. I know the idea of "good guys with guns" is endlessly mocked, but that's who these people think they are.
We drove to KC for a couples baby shower/BBQ over the weekend, and DH ended up talking with guys he just met most of the night. Suffice to say, he didn't fit in. They talked all night about football, competitive BBQing (??), hunting and guns. Every single one of them except DH own an AR 15 rifle.
They are just regular guys, with white-collar jobs and families. And I don't believe they don't care about gun violence. They just believe the answer is more "good guys" with guns, since you can't get them out of criminals' hands.
I disagree with them about a lot of things, but dismissing them as uncaring makes it harder to effectively engage and change minds.
For my part, I had to put up with their wives and try not to make a scene at a baby shower when opposition to gay marriage was evident. I calmly made my views known, then changed the subject.
It's really hard for me to take these guys in your story seriously when I read stories like this:
I just don't even know what to say to people who genuinely believe our society would be better off if instead of putting some restrictions on gun ownership and availability, we spent billions of dollars to militarize and put armed security every school, movie theater, church, temple, gym, beauty salon, restaurant, and workplace. It's a position that to me, seems extremely poorly thought through.
No other nation in the developed world has this problem. Even ones like Britain with similar or higher rates of violent crime. All of these nations have violent movies and video games. All of these nations have drug addicts and drug dealers. All of these nations have criminals. All of these nations have mentally ill citizens. What they don't have are hundreds of millions of guns. This is so blindingly obvious that I honestly do not see how someone could not make this connection. And if they *do* make the connection and still prioritize the right to own guns over literally all else then yes, I include them in the aforementioned American public that does not want anything to change.
One last update from my friend to throw fire on the "limiting ammo" debate.
She apparently made a run for it when he ran out of ammo. She found out later that he returned to the place she had been hiding and continued shooting, killing 4 of her coworkers. If she'd stayed, she would have met the same fate. I shudder just to think about how she must feel right now.
But on the other hand, what if people need to someday overthrow the government?
One last update from my friend to throw fire on the "limiting ammo" debate.
She apparently made a run for it when he ran out of ammo. She found out later that he returned to the place she had been hiding and continued shooting, killing 4 of her coworkers. If she'd stayed, she would have met the same fate. I shudder just to think about how she must feel right now.
But on the other hand, what if people need to someday overthrow the government?
One last update from my friend to throw fire on the "limiting ammo" debate.
She apparently made a run for it when he ran out of ammo. She found out later that he returned to the place she had been hiding and continued shooting, killing 4 of her coworkers. If she'd stayed, she would have met the same fate. I shudder just to think about how she must feel right now.
I heard today on NPR that it was a rifle, no evidence of an AR-15. Has there been news of it being modified? I ask as they are often easier to purchase (Walmart carries. He'll, maybe they carry ARs too? I have only seen rifles, but maybe I am mistaken).
I wonder if the navy had stood their ground and dishonorably discharged him (seems he was asked to leave)...would he have been able to purchase rifle?
I'm all for no guns, even former law enforcement and military. Not active? Nope. But, I know that isn't rational (just to be clear with my discussion).
I heard today on NPR that it was a rifle, no evidence of an AR-15. Has there been news of it being modified? I ask as they are often easier to purchase (Walmart carries. He'll, maybe they carry ARs too? I have only seen rifles, but maybe I am mistaken).
Last I heard it was a shotgun. First they said he used the shotgun to kill the police officer, take his gun, then get inside, but now they're saying that he got inside and then assembled the gun in the bathroom. I'm not sure if they really know yet.
One last update from my friend to throw fire on the "limiting ammo" debate.
She apparently made a run for it when he ran out of ammo. She found out later that he returned to the place she had been hiding and continued shooting, killing 4 of her coworkers. If she'd stayed, she would have met the same fate. I shudder just to think about how she must feel right now.
I'm so so sorry to hear she almost lost her life. That is truly awful. She and her family must be feeling horrified and lucky at the same time. And to lose 4 coworkers? I can't even imagine what her mindset must be right now.
I sure hope all that improved mental health care funding that should stop all this comes through soon. It's surely at the top of the list of to-dos and since all sides, NRA included, find it central, it should pass through no problem.