In other spheres, we act reasonably when faced with new problems. When Richard Reid showed that nasty things could be done with shoes on airplanes, airport security started examining shoes. When liquids were seen as a potential danger, we regulated the quantity of liquids we could take on flights. We barred people from carrying weapons onto airliners long ago.You almost cannot get on an airplane today without first removing your shoes because some idiot was wearing a shoe bomb. I haven't flown since the liquid checks were put into play but there is another example of going to exteme lengths to protect a flight. Why are we so reticent about doing something about handguns?
If we can act pragmatically in the skies, why can't we be equally practical here on the ground?
Friday, April 20, 2007
Why Do Nothing About Guns?
In his opinion piece in the Washington Post today, E. J. Dionne Jr. makes a very good point.
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3 comments:
Handguns are not the problem.
Every state handle handgun sales differently. In New York even the counties who issue the permits have different rules. When I got my permit in Ulster county in 1973 it was restricted for hunting and trapping only and god for five years. While across the river in Dutchess county the sheriff issued permits good until revoked and to carry anytime.
In Virginia lets look at this, a person can buy a hnadgun every thirty days. The VT shooter wasn't even a citizen and was a pyscho, I mean do you really think that when people fill out the firearms appication is going to tell the truth knowing no one checks to see if they are nuts?
Sure. Then next time some nut kills someone with a knife, maybe we could all be safer if we outlaw knives. Or if a kook runs someone down with a car, we could all be protected by Big Brother if cars were outlawed, too.
This kid in Virginia was sick. And on top of that he was in violation of at least 3 federal gun laws, anyway. So exactly how is passing more laws going to stop determined, sick criminals?
Here's a thought: if even one of the students in one of the classrooms had had a gun, they might have killed this kook before he killed so many others.
As I said below the gun issue is a losing battle. However, it is a fact that you don't see mass murders committed with knives or cars. You do see them committed with guns, usually automatic (semi) weapons. You work at a University. Do you really want every student on campus carrying a gun? But surely we can agree that the mentally ill should not be sold guns.
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