As an author, I feel that it is not my job to get on top of the proverbial soapbox
and meddle in contemporary issues through the use of this blog. Alas, as much
as I try to stay away from contemporary political discussions, sometimes it is
just not possible.
The recent tragedy in Florida
has both extreme sides of the age-old gun argument heating up, and insults fly
in both directions. This, to say the least, is disrespecting the memory of the
victims, and is counter-productive to a rational debate. And rational debate is
what is needed if we, as a nation, are going to minimize the risk of future
school shootings.
The left is currently screaming for gun control, while the right is holding
up the constitution and screaming at the left. Data flies in both directions,
both for and against gun control, while in our nation's capitol it is business
as usual. When I say business as usual, I refer to the disconnect between our
population and our legislature. I don't remember the last time I was excited
about any politician running for an office.
I will not delve deep into the issue of gun control, as there are more
versed and better-funded groups on both sides who will silence me faster than I
can place a period at the end of this sentence. I will say, however, that it is
not a simple, black and white issue, and the only lasting solution will come
with multiple changes across many fields.
For starters, let's just say that schools nowadays are run by kids who do
not fear either the teachers or the system. Many parents are not parenting, and
teachers' hands are too-often tied with unreasonable policies; plus, educators
are afraid of the very parents who fail to do their job at home.
Likewise, healthcare providers struggle with privacy rules, and mentally
unstable individuals go unreported to the proper channels.
Kids are looking up to celebrities, nonsensical Youtube influencers, violent
music, and violent Hollywood movies (and who is Hollywood
to talk when its own culture is one of abuse – as documented by the rise of the
#MeToo movement). There is no fear of God, no fear of anything greater then
ourselves, no fear of reprimand.
There is no reason why a threatening student could not be punished, removed
from school, and marked in the system as a dangerous individual. Likewise,
anyone diagnosed with depression, anti-social behavior, psychopathic or
suicidal tendencies should be flagged as temporarily ineligible for firearms
purchases.
At the same time, a secure entrance to schools (double doors with shatterproof
glass coating) should be standard equipment at all schools. A dangerous
individual could be easily detained between the two sets of doors until
authorities arrive. This is not just for shooters - it would prevent aggravated
custody issues, drunk or aggressive parents, threatening students . . .
Almost every school nowadays has either a security or a resource officer.
The people hired to do this job should be experienced, retired LEO or Military,
and should be able to use force when necessary.
Most importantly, our culture (or rather the lack of) has to change.
Civility is seldom practiced, and rudeness is either tolerated or downright
celebrated. Perpetrators should remain nameless instead of given the attention
they crave.
There are many other things that could be done without imposing on people's
rights and freedoms, however, the point of this post is not that (I got side
tracked).
The point of my post was the danger of blaming solely the NRA - which
happens after every tragic event involving firearms.
I go to a shooting range frequently, and have many acquaintances who own
firearms. To be honest, less than 10% of them belong to the NRA. Most gun
owners I know are regular people who lean neither left nor right, and are
equally appalled by these atrocities as anyone else.
The extreme left loves to blame the NRA, exaggerates its monetary power, and loves
to paint it as the root of all that is bad when it comes to firearms. To this,
I’d say that by constantly mentioning it, you are giving it the power.
Remember when the media blamed and credited almost every terrorist attack
and plot on ISIS? Guess what, ISIS
embraced that attention and used it to recruit more fighters. Its power grew,
even if not in the real world, it grew in the world of perception.
By blaming solely NRA, you are giving it media attention, you are giving it
perceived power over politicians, and you are limiting the options for a
meaningful dialogue, which is what our nation needs to make progress on this
issue.
Frankly, if the NRA were to magically disappear, the underlying issues
behind gun violence would all still be here. There would still be guns, there
would still be violence, there would still be gangs, criminals, mentally
unstable individuals, understaffed and under-funded schools, un-involved
parents, and violence-promoting media.
To make the world a better place, we need to have a meaningful dialogue,
enforce existing laws, provide help for those who need it, and punishment for
those who do us wrong.