The Handgun Conundrum
This post is in response to Glyn Evans' post on the Liberal party's proposal to ban handguns in Canada. You just know he was going to get some fiery response to that post. Well, this isn't going to be one of them.
In my humble opinion, if someone really wanted to kill someone, having a gun in hand or not, wouldn't stop them. They'd kill anyway. Crimes also happen, and will continue to happen without guns. People committing random acts of violence as the whim strikes them will happen with or without guns. The whole gun debate has become politicized and the politicians are simply using the topic for their advantage. Politicians should be shot for that.
What it really comes down to is gun owners. You're a bunch of scary people to us non-gun owners. Quite simply because you have the ability to blow our brains right out of our heads -- and we kinda like our brains just where it is. It's an irrational fear. We should fear your pickup trucks and SUVs, because you could simply flatten us as well -- but we kinda understand them. We just don't understand guns -- so it scares us.
So, to combat this irrational fear, I propose the following. Take your non-gun owner friends for outings, where they can socialize with you and your gun. Get them to understand your need to enjoy this aspect of our freedom. Kill something with them. Bond. Build the trust, defuse the fear. Put a gun in their hand, and take the lead.
In my humble opinion, if someone really wanted to kill someone, having a gun in hand or not, wouldn't stop them. They'd kill anyway. Crimes also happen, and will continue to happen without guns. People committing random acts of violence as the whim strikes them will happen with or without guns. The whole gun debate has become politicized and the politicians are simply using the topic for their advantage. Politicians should be shot for that.
What it really comes down to is gun owners. You're a bunch of scary people to us non-gun owners. Quite simply because you have the ability to blow our brains right out of our heads -- and we kinda like our brains just where it is. It's an irrational fear. We should fear your pickup trucks and SUVs, because you could simply flatten us as well -- but we kinda understand them. We just don't understand guns -- so it scares us.
So, to combat this irrational fear, I propose the following. Take your non-gun owner friends for outings, where they can socialize with you and your gun. Get them to understand your need to enjoy this aspect of our freedom. Kill something with them. Bond. Build the trust, defuse the fear. Put a gun in their hand, and take the lead.
Thanks for the linkage :D
ReplyDeleteYou may be right about that. We who do not own handguns may be simply scared of people who do (and big 4x4 trucks as well haha)...
I am seriously doubting the validity of an outright ban and it's effectiveness now. The rest of the policy set forward seems very good to me, and the best route now is punishment in my opinion.
Education is a huge part of this and will help everyone be able to understand that:
ReplyDelete1. Firearms in certain people's hands don't have to be scary (police, military, licensed owners, etc.)
2. Guns in the hands of criminals are a problem.
3. Any criminal misuse of firearms should be swiftly and harshly punished.
4. Let's focus our financial resources where they'll do the most good and be the most effective. Taking away firearms from people who are least likely offend is not a good use of police and financial resources.
Open Invitation: If there's anybody in the Calgary area who's curious about firearms and is open minded enough to come to the range for a few hours one day - I'd be glad to supply the day pass and the ammunition.