I know it seems logical that stricter gun laws would equal a decline in gun related violence. I have thought about that possibility myself. After thinking it over for a while I drew this conclusion…it is possible that gun related crimes might actually increase. I think we would be surprised to know how many criminals thought twice about, and didn't follow through with, a crime they had hoped to commit in an area where it was possible that their victim(s) owned guns and could defend themselves. In other words...the possibility that death could be the result of their actions stopped them from committing the crime. (Of course this probably doesn't apply to people who have just "lost it" and go on some sort of rampage, but they will hurt people any way they can.)
People are fooling themselves if they think gun bans are going to solve the problem. The criminals will still be able to get their hands on guns, but the difference will be that innocent people will no longer be able to enjoy their sport, and even worse they will not be able to defend themselves, their families, their homes. If you don't live in "the middle of nowhere" you couldn't possibly understand that it can take police much more than a few precious minutes to come to your aid. Let me repeat...the criminals will still have access to guns no matter what the laws! Just think of other things that are illegal.
There are tons of potentially harmful things out there that we could think about enforcing stricter laws around. Maybe start with banning or censoring the internet because it teaches people how to make bombs and do all other sorts of violent and destructive things? That sounds crazy to some people. Lots of people drink, do drugs, text AND drive (and hurt or kill others), but we have yet to do away with cars. Some won't see the connection here. I just think we want to be careful about what we say we want to start putting such limitations on, because we can't just pick and choose. Rights and freedoms can slowly be chipped away at one by one until we no longer have the "freedom" that we are so fortunate to have here in the United States of America. It is a slippery slope. It also instills that extremely anger-producing lesson that the innocent pay for what the rule-breakers do. Ever have to stay in from recess because one kid in your class acted up and ruined it for everyone?! Not only is it completely unfair, but it produces rage in the innocent and creates an even further division in society.
So why write about this on my "positivity only" blog about "Embracing Your Grace?!" Let's face it. This is a people problem, not a gun or weapon problem. We need to start with the basics like people giving their children love, attention, guidance, etc. If people don't know how to provide a life like that for their children, because they came from messed-up homes, abuse, poverty, and/or other issues, then we as a society need to get them the help they need to turn things around. We need to learn to truly care about someone other than ourselves and treat others the way we want to be treated. It seems simple enough, but it seems to be somewhat lost in our current world. It is easy to find an object to blame and hate, because that makes us feel better. It makes us feel like we can do something about it. We have to keep in mind that if it's not guns, then it's bombs, knives, poison…you get the picture. Until we get to the root of the problem - too many hurting people in our world - we will be in an endless race to get rid of "things" that can hurt us. I think it says a lot about our society when an authority figure has to put a limit on soft drink sizes. We don't even have the control to stop ourselves from harming ourselves! It is a form of self-medicating, because we are HURTING...we are missing something. The issue is much bigger than guns, and we need to start dealing with it accordingly. We can start with being kind to one another. Just my opinion.
