Hello Everyone,
In thinking more about this thread... I feel that I should make clear
that I am not fond of weapons of any ilk...however, if we focus on guns only ,
there is a risk of overlooking some deeper social trauma issues. more
challenging, it seems to me., is to address the pervasive mindset, deeply
rooted
in our colonial history, that guns and other weapons "keep us safe"...
On a grand scale this was a fundamental selling point for war mongering
politicians during the nuclear arms race that could have and still might
destroy life on this planet. Many still believe in the necessity of a
"nuclear
deterrent"...weapons of massive destruction and so on as necessary for our
survival. Needless to say the military industrial and weapons industries
profit greatly by fostering such beliefs... Again back to the question of who
benefits from generating fear that leads to violence...?
In our gun loving culture, people really believe that gun control and
disarming citizens means that people will not be able to defend themselves
against "the others" and this combined with a deep distrust of the federal
government is a long standing meme..especially in certain regions. therefore,
any form of control is interpreted as a threat to their survival... In
order to such legislation to succeed I would imagine that it will have to
introduced in increments so as to not induce panic among those who equate
weapons with survival.
Current front running presidential candidate Donald Trump is actively
stoking these fears and his glamorous spokeslady just appeared with an
obviously expensive necklace comprised of bullets... I am sorry that I do not
have the link..but the photo is all over the internet now... the message
something like he will protect Americans right to keep themselves
"safe"....and people actually believe this...a deeply rooted mindset to
challenge...
So while we may think gun confiscation will make the country safer,
opponents believe exactly the opposite...
Regards
Anngwyn
