Outside solutions to gun violence

[cab67]

It's perfectly clear that neither the federal government, nor any existing state government, is going to do anything about gun violence. Lobbying groups like the NRA won't allow it.

Back in the 1980's, there was a rash of high-profile violent crimes against tourists in Florida. Florida immediately took steps to deal with it, including allowing juveniles to be charged as adults for murder. (This wasn't necessarily a good thing, but if I recall correctly, Florida was one of the first, if not the first, state to allow this). The reason? Several European countries issued travel advisories against going to Florida. Too violent. Florida is infested with special interests, but tourism is more powerful than most others. Tourism was threatened, and the state reacted almost immediately.

State governments might not respond to public outcry against gun violence from within the US, but if other countries took steps to discourage their citizens from visiting the US because of the danger of being shot, they might take notice.

[LonePirate]

1. Interesting proposition but I am not sure it would work

Yes, sane Americans would certainly seek change if foreign governments advised their citizens against traveling to the US and tourism related businesses suffered immensely as a result. However, the people currently blocking changes to gun laws don't want foreigners in this country any way. Not only that, but nothing stands between them and their guns, not even an economic hardship.

Still, it's worth trying as anything that brings attention to the inactivity in reforming our gun laws will only help us.

[cab67]

2. I see your point.

I think this is likelier to work in states that are heavily dependent on tourism. If there's ever a mass shooting in Florida in which multiple overseas tourists are killed, we'd see some change. The NRA is powerful, but the tourism lobby there can pretty much walk over it.