General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: So if gun control isn't the answer, what is the answer? [View all]Algernon Moncrieff
(5,961 posts)Along the lines of the anti-abortion, anti-smoking, and anti-drunk driving movements. Relentless movements that keep on keeping on in the face of multiple legal defeats. Movements that work to convert people culturally -- not just change laws.
Confiscation? Won't happen. Even if you changed the Constitution, getting guns out of the hands of gun owners would take a generation or more, and you'd give rise to a massive smuggling industry.
Gun Control? Doesn't change anything.
Start by finding the allies and stakeholders, examples of which include: Victims groups. Law enforcement. Big insurance. C-store industry groups.
Start educating around talking points that could include:
- How many times more likely you are likely to shoot yourself or a loved one than a burglar
- How a good alarm system protects your property even when you are not home and allows for instant law enforcement notification during a home invasion
- Even experienced and/or well known gun users like Chris Kyle and Charles Vacca were killed at gun ranges with firearms
- For every story of how a woman shot an intruder that turned out to be a rapist/serial killer, there are many times that number of stories of a kid that picked up a gun and shot a playmate or family member
- Guns make suicide easy
- Does the 2nd Amendment make all of the other amendments possible, or does it make the violation of those amendments possible. Does the 2nd Amendment allow us to defend life and property, or is it mostly used to take life and property?
Encourage law makers to allow insurance companies to increase homeowners insurance for gun owners, and give discounts for registration of firearms, properly installed gun safes, and completion of firearms safety courses.
No-fault injury funds to compensate those injured and killed by firearms should be funded via taxation on ammunition sales.
Public service announcements showing victims of firearms.
Stiff prison sentences for those that commit crimes with firearms.
It took 240 years to get here, and there is no quick fix.