Here it is folks!
I mentioned that 30% of gun death figs were suicides and
@Shad told me it was 2/3rds.
And since I later actually wrote the 26,000+ figures of suicides in 2017 (66% of 40,000 killings) most members might feel that this was acknowledgement enough. ??
But not you! I think you want to deflect away from all those gun killings which go on and on and so you run a kind of semi-intellectual interference ...... away from the issue?
George. You have not offered a single positive suggestion that I can remember in many years which might reduce gun killings in the USA. OK?
So now what you need to do is trawl back over the years for every sentence which refutes this. Maybe you wanted everybody to go shopping with an assault-rifle in their bag?
But anyway...... let's see if you've got a bright idea in your head from anytime, ever, back in to the distant past...... eh?
There see that wasn't so hard. I would hope that you recognize there is a problem with people citing "facts" not just a little off but far off.
I agree the gun deaths are a problem. I agree that with regard to defense a multi-tier approach is necessary. I also realize that no matter how safe you think you are, stuff happens. Furthermore I recognize that many people feel the need to add guns to their tool box of safety.
This isn't surprising. Police around the world do this, military around the world does this and people, in general, do this. That is because guns ARE effective tools.
When I approach a problem like the U.S. deaths I wonder what is the least intrusive way to address the issue.
Here the issue is that there are many people that wish to do harm. While noting that eliminating one avenue for them to obtain guns to act on this impulse would deter some gun crime, i also note that it would, in effect, disadvantage law abiding citizens by restricting their ability to purchase an effective and efficient means of self defense. As we can see enacting legislation that restricts people is not, on its face the least intrusive method. In fact, in the U.S. it is an avenue that is outside the authority of the legislature.
So, is there another way. Well, yes. We have done a lot of research into criminals and into people in general. And, while not as neat and tidy as "gun control," i imagine we can, nonetheless, make a sizable dent in the homicide rate and the suicide rate without unnecessary restrictions outside the authority of the law.
First, socioeconomic disparity is a major problem in the U.S. this covers issues that range from homelessness and malnutrition to reproductive health and financial planning. Socioeconomic status is related to a wide variety of issues including both violent and non violent crime. Addressing individuals with low socioeconomic status will be cheaper than funding prisons, shelters, and continuing welfare that is and will be necessary to address the rammifications of allowing millions of Americans to subsist without enough.
Second, Bettering education. While it is true that some people do seem to defy the odds. Most are not autodidactic geniuses that will thrive regardless of their environment. Schools now have a variety of policies which essentially foster a school to prison pipeline. Depriving children of learning moments and forcing through the school of hard knocks does little to help combat the levels of violence we see in our communities.
Mental health: while I realize that in general a person with mental health issues is more likely to be the victim of violence than the perpetrator. It is also true that some mental health issues are strongly related to violence. Addressing mental health issues would involve better mental health resources allocated to organizations providing mental health services, earlier diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues, and better coverage of mental health issues including preventive measures(including stress relief). Finally in this category mental health issues are still stigmatized which encourages many suffering from these issues to deny or hide potential problems behavior.
Domestic abuse. Children from homes with domestic abuse are likely to act out more violently as they age. Domestic abuse comes in several forms, sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional/ psychological abuse, and neglect. More outreach needs to be done to help parents access resources already available, extend resources already available and parent better.
Court and prison system reforms. From lack of succesful reentry programs to lack of sufficient and effective rehabilitation programs. Our prison system is a mess and our court system isn't much better at addressing what an offender needs. Instead we lock up people and try our best to forget about them.
Violent culture. We glorify violence and in many ways try to remove people from the natural consequences of violence. While I am not going to blame video games, movies, or songs for criminal activities, nor is the will i rest the blame on devisive politics and racial incitement, but the weight of all of this is not without cost. I certainly believe in freedom of expression and would not encourage censorship. However, fostering empathy and discussion regarding the consequences of violence must also be present. Focusing on delivering this should be a priority.
If we address these issues we will see a reduction in both homicides and suicides. What is more, no civil rights need be infringed.
