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My Thoughts (Written as Op-Ed)
13 years ago
I orignally was going to submit an Op-Ed to some local publications, but I decided against it, as it was getting long, and even as long as it is I cut short. I don't mean to spark a debate but here are my opinions and feelings on recent events:
There are monsters in the world. Not in your closet late at night, or under your bed, or hiding in the attic. They’re much more terrifying. They’re around us, amongst us, and they look just like us. Why do they exist, and more importantly, why do they seem to be more and more common?
I’m speaking of course of the mass murderers that we see more and more of in these times. While overall violent crime has been steadily decreasing, such horrific displays of carnage seem to happen with alarming and increasing regularity.
In a world where only black and white exist, where there is no room between polarized sides for a single shard of reasonable debate it is difficult to discuss this without each side going back to their old and stale fallbacks: Knuckledragers, simpletons, communists, gungrabbers, etc.
Before we get to the part everyone is waiting for, the gun part, let’s at least take a stab at the core problem. For if one thinks either more or less guns is a solution they’re not thinking very clearly. Those are bandaid on a gaping wound type fixes.
There have been a great many cliché slogans and phrases and “facts” that are not at all based in fact going around in conversation an twitter lately. I will grant one sides statement that it’s strange we live in a place where access to a firearm is easier than access to mental health. This is true. Even were guns to be banned tomorrow outright, one would have a much easier time attaining one than trying to get psychological help. Even with insurance and referrals it’s not an easy task, and without insurance (which usually means you can’t afford it to begin with) you might as well not bother. Even if you were to be taken into the system, as it were, you wouldn’t really find any treatment.
If our culture around firearms is “uniquely American” then I submit that our callous attitude towards those of us who are ill is also uniquely American. I know I am sticking my toes in fire by bringing up universal healthcare in the same bit as guns, but we are our brother’s keeper. Whether we like or hate each other, our country and community is in all of this together. A man who is sick and cannot get help can kill you and your family and your community. Whether bearing some plague that could spread to you or bearing a mental anguish that he cannot understand or control. A fire that’s ignored will eventually find it’s way to something you hold dear.
Let’s talk also about our communities. What is yours? Are they found in an app or a chat client or your contact list? It’s OK, I’m just as guilty as you are. We don’t have community anymore, we barely know our neighbors, or if our village has an idiot who it even is. There’s something to be said for the disconnecting of ourselves from our surroundings, and the change in society. Were we so cold and dark and polarized before? When we couldn’t find likeminded friends so easily? Now we shut ourselves in inside of our echo chambers of agreerers. We don’t HAVE to get along with anyone physically near anymore.
It is equally offensive for someone to tell me what I can and cannot do in my bedroom as it is for someone to tell me what I can and cannot have in my gun safe. And here’s where we go down the slide to Hellsville.
I’m a gun owner, and it’s a rather big hobby of mine. I’m not a “conservative” so this creates issues for many. I don’t belong to the NRA (nether do around 90% of gun owners either BTW). When the caricatures of gun owners as slobbering morons come springing out of mouths and twitters it offends me. It offends many people. When it’s said that what I own must be taken because I don’t “need” it it’s hard to perceive such a statement as not a direct attack on my character. By saying such things, and stooping to low levels, you associate a massive group of people with mass murderers. You’re saying to me that I’m a crazy man, and bad.
“So you think arming everyone would help.” Will come the reply from someone who thinks that anyone on my side of this actually believes that. That’s an absurd retort, I doubt even Ted Nugent would espouse that viewpoint. Let me iterate what people who carry concealed are trying to say, but who’s words get twisted for effect by the pundits.
Look at your mass shootings. It’s difficult, but look at them. Where do they happen?: Schools, movie theaters, churches, army bases, malls. To my friends who are not clued into the gun culture they so look at with suspicion. These are all places where one is legally prohibited from carrying a concealed weapon. You may shout for glee that so few mass shootings have been stopped, but then fail to notice that all the mass shootings occur in areas where people who potentially could stop them are not allowed to. They’re not allowed to because people said “Oh, well who would EVER need a gun at a school, or a theatre, or a mall.” Not everyone, not anyone, but someone like me, who knows how to use one (to fairly good effect if I might add), and who often carries one, should not be prohibited from that privilege in the places where it is most likely to be needed. I’m not a violent person, I don’t ever want to kill anyone. The world would be a better place if no weapons at all were needed, but we don’t live in that world, we live in this one.
“But why would you carry a gun around, are you paranoid?” I dunno, are you? It may come as a surprise to many, including many friends but I HAVE used a firearm in self defense. That impossible scenario that many outlay occurred. I don’t often speak of it, and I might not even if you ask me, but it has occurred, and thankfully no life was lossed. Yet many would tell me that when I cross the invisible plane from where I am at into say, a theatre, that I am suddenly a criminal, a bad man, who must only mean harm, for who would EVER want to carry a gun in such a place? I don’t. No really, I don’t. I don’t want to have to carry a lump of uncomfortable steel around when I am out having fun, but I normally do.
You walk by a murderer in waiting every day, it’s a hard fact to face, but you must. You don’t have to take action, you don’t have to do anything. If I were you, I’d work to get these people help. To help society so that not only mass killers but petty thieves and murderers see no need for their dark designs. But if you won’t, if you won’t do these things, then please with all respect do not prevent me from facing the reality of a cruel world, and if you’re near me when that cruelness springs forth I’ll do my best to protect you from it.
As I opened with, there are monsters out there. I’d prefer there weren’t, or that their numbers were so few as to not matter, but what I want and what actually exists are rarely the same.
I hope that helps explain where many gun owners and carriers come from, to someone who may not understand. My only wish right now is that I didn’t have to write something like this. That there were neither dead innocents nor people screaming threats to me in response.
If you think yourself capable of a civil discourse feel free to contact me about it.
There are monsters in the world. Not in your closet late at night, or under your bed, or hiding in the attic. They’re much more terrifying. They’re around us, amongst us, and they look just like us. Why do they exist, and more importantly, why do they seem to be more and more common?
I’m speaking of course of the mass murderers that we see more and more of in these times. While overall violent crime has been steadily decreasing, such horrific displays of carnage seem to happen with alarming and increasing regularity.
In a world where only black and white exist, where there is no room between polarized sides for a single shard of reasonable debate it is difficult to discuss this without each side going back to their old and stale fallbacks: Knuckledragers, simpletons, communists, gungrabbers, etc.
Before we get to the part everyone is waiting for, the gun part, let’s at least take a stab at the core problem. For if one thinks either more or less guns is a solution they’re not thinking very clearly. Those are bandaid on a gaping wound type fixes.
There have been a great many cliché slogans and phrases and “facts” that are not at all based in fact going around in conversation an twitter lately. I will grant one sides statement that it’s strange we live in a place where access to a firearm is easier than access to mental health. This is true. Even were guns to be banned tomorrow outright, one would have a much easier time attaining one than trying to get psychological help. Even with insurance and referrals it’s not an easy task, and without insurance (which usually means you can’t afford it to begin with) you might as well not bother. Even if you were to be taken into the system, as it were, you wouldn’t really find any treatment.
If our culture around firearms is “uniquely American” then I submit that our callous attitude towards those of us who are ill is also uniquely American. I know I am sticking my toes in fire by bringing up universal healthcare in the same bit as guns, but we are our brother’s keeper. Whether we like or hate each other, our country and community is in all of this together. A man who is sick and cannot get help can kill you and your family and your community. Whether bearing some plague that could spread to you or bearing a mental anguish that he cannot understand or control. A fire that’s ignored will eventually find it’s way to something you hold dear.
Let’s talk also about our communities. What is yours? Are they found in an app or a chat client or your contact list? It’s OK, I’m just as guilty as you are. We don’t have community anymore, we barely know our neighbors, or if our village has an idiot who it even is. There’s something to be said for the disconnecting of ourselves from our surroundings, and the change in society. Were we so cold and dark and polarized before? When we couldn’t find likeminded friends so easily? Now we shut ourselves in inside of our echo chambers of agreerers. We don’t HAVE to get along with anyone physically near anymore.
It is equally offensive for someone to tell me what I can and cannot do in my bedroom as it is for someone to tell me what I can and cannot have in my gun safe. And here’s where we go down the slide to Hellsville.
I’m a gun owner, and it’s a rather big hobby of mine. I’m not a “conservative” so this creates issues for many. I don’t belong to the NRA (nether do around 90% of gun owners either BTW). When the caricatures of gun owners as slobbering morons come springing out of mouths and twitters it offends me. It offends many people. When it’s said that what I own must be taken because I don’t “need” it it’s hard to perceive such a statement as not a direct attack on my character. By saying such things, and stooping to low levels, you associate a massive group of people with mass murderers. You’re saying to me that I’m a crazy man, and bad.
“So you think arming everyone would help.” Will come the reply from someone who thinks that anyone on my side of this actually believes that. That’s an absurd retort, I doubt even Ted Nugent would espouse that viewpoint. Let me iterate what people who carry concealed are trying to say, but who’s words get twisted for effect by the pundits.
Look at your mass shootings. It’s difficult, but look at them. Where do they happen?: Schools, movie theaters, churches, army bases, malls. To my friends who are not clued into the gun culture they so look at with suspicion. These are all places where one is legally prohibited from carrying a concealed weapon. You may shout for glee that so few mass shootings have been stopped, but then fail to notice that all the mass shootings occur in areas where people who potentially could stop them are not allowed to. They’re not allowed to because people said “Oh, well who would EVER need a gun at a school, or a theatre, or a mall.” Not everyone, not anyone, but someone like me, who knows how to use one (to fairly good effect if I might add), and who often carries one, should not be prohibited from that privilege in the places where it is most likely to be needed. I’m not a violent person, I don’t ever want to kill anyone. The world would be a better place if no weapons at all were needed, but we don’t live in that world, we live in this one.
“But why would you carry a gun around, are you paranoid?” I dunno, are you? It may come as a surprise to many, including many friends but I HAVE used a firearm in self defense. That impossible scenario that many outlay occurred. I don’t often speak of it, and I might not even if you ask me, but it has occurred, and thankfully no life was lossed. Yet many would tell me that when I cross the invisible plane from where I am at into say, a theatre, that I am suddenly a criminal, a bad man, who must only mean harm, for who would EVER want to carry a gun in such a place? I don’t. No really, I don’t. I don’t want to have to carry a lump of uncomfortable steel around when I am out having fun, but I normally do.
You walk by a murderer in waiting every day, it’s a hard fact to face, but you must. You don’t have to take action, you don’t have to do anything. If I were you, I’d work to get these people help. To help society so that not only mass killers but petty thieves and murderers see no need for their dark designs. But if you won’t, if you won’t do these things, then please with all respect do not prevent me from facing the reality of a cruel world, and if you’re near me when that cruelness springs forth I’ll do my best to protect you from it.
As I opened with, there are monsters out there. I’d prefer there weren’t, or that their numbers were so few as to not matter, but what I want and what actually exists are rarely the same.
I hope that helps explain where many gun owners and carriers come from, to someone who may not understand. My only wish right now is that I didn’t have to write something like this. That there were neither dead innocents nor people screaming threats to me in response.
If you think yourself capable of a civil discourse feel free to contact me about it.
"If our culture around firearms is “uniquely American” then I submit that our callous attitude towards those of us who are ill is also uniquely American. I know I am sticking my toes in fire by bringing up universal healthcare in the same bit as guns, but we are our brother’s keeper. Whether we like or hate each other, our country and community is in all of this together. A man who is sick and cannot get help can kill you and your family and your community. Whether bearing some plague that could spread to you or bearing a mental anguish that he cannot understand or control. A fire that’s ignored will eventually find it’s way to something you hold dear. "
THIS.
The only way to solve issues like this is to make sure that people with mental illness are properly treated.
You say that areas shouldn't be allowed to prohibit you from concealed carrying on the property. In the case of privately owned property, I must disagree. To say that the land owner isn't allowed to decide whether or not people can carry guns onto their property is up there with people telling you that you should have your guns taken away. Its their land, their right to choose.
As far as other places you mentioned, I think the sweeping cry of "no guns here" comes from the part where there's a very large risk of inexperienced civilian shooters doing more harm than good. I saw this argument a lot after Aurora, and I asked the same question I ask now. Is the average, untrained civilian ready to respond effectively to an active shooter when they have never experienced or prepared for such an event?
Over time I've come to find that the answer is an alarming "no" in most cases. They don't know how to compensate for the sudden rush of adrenalin, or how to fight off the flight/fight response that comes along with that first shot. Their hands shake, they panic, and suddenly any movement is a threat. Its the proverbial match in the black powder factory.
At the same time, I also understand the need for armed civilians. The fact is, the police and military can't be everywhere at once. People do need a way to protect themselves from those who do harm.
So after a period of study and thought, I've come up with an idea, a plan. I'd actually like to hear your thoughts on it since I know your response won't be the usual "ugh, liberal!" response I get.
If the owner of private property wishes to ban firearms on the grounds, then that's their right, and not much can be done except not going into those areas. However, I think that providing mandatory training for civilian shooters, who wish to conceal carry outside their homes, that teaches them to be effective in firearm use when defending themselves and others. It should also teach them who to properly identify themselves to law enforcement, and tell them how they should act once LEOs appear on the scene. Shooters would certify yearly, and would be issued some kind of ID card that shows as such. I believe that such a program would allow us to relax the limitations on where you can carry, maybe even to the point to where private property owners would feel more at-ease with civilians carrying on the premises.
I came up with this idea because I recognize that a gun ban won't help. The truth is that America is too far along for it to be an effective measure to take. I don't subscribe to the all or nothing mentality that so many pro-gun/anti-gun folks do. I believe in reasonable ownership, and reasonable limitation.
I personally believe that while we can never truly put a stop to such incidents as Newtown, that through public awareness and available training, we can at the very least minimize the impact and destruction of such horrors.
From what I understand many schools used to teach gun safety to children, and had shooting teams. Something like that, though you'd NEVER see it get approved now a days, might really help on at least a basic level. We let people pretend to shoot guns all the time, we should teach them how real one work and what NOT to do.
It's true many civilians lack the training to handle something like this, but many law enforcement agencies have woefully inadequate training as well. They have a lot of things to train for and depending on agencies some only get a firearms qualification that a blind man could pass.
Michigan just passed a bill that's awaiting our governors signature (Which he better fucking sign cause I'm ready to strangle him on the right to work BS), it allows people with a CPL to carry into the previously restricted zones with: additional training.
Private property owners currently already can ban that. Not many do put up signs, but they have that right. I could make an argument though that if you're open to the public you should make some public accommodations, like they already do following the ADA and such. Honestly though I'm not so sure how I feel on that front cause I'm conflicted.
Thanks for the reply :3 I don't think you're really too far off from me really. It took a lot of back and forth whether I'd even stick my nose in this at all. Been staying a mile away from it, lol.
From what I understand many schools used to teach gun safety to children, and had shooting teams. Something like that, though you'd NEVER see it get approved now a days, might really help on at least a basic level.
I think a large part of this is because of such incidents like Columbine. People are so worried that teaching kids proper firearm respect and safety will result in them shooting up their schools when upset. Its the knee-jerk, scared of everything mentality. I witnessed it first hand when I was suspended from school for 5 days because of a multi-tool.
...but many law enforcement agencies have woefully inadequate training as well.
I can personally attest to the fact that this is mostly due to budget issues. The officers must be paid for training, as well as equipment costs, range time, and other expenses. The budget dictates how much of this can happen. I really wish we had a larger training budget than we do, most of what we're given now is too inadequate to the point where I know a number of officers train on their own dime in order to stay sharp.
I agree on the training. So how do you make that not an undue burden. Perhaps subsidized training, or tax deductible?
I've given that some thought, and I agree that either subsidized or tax deductible is best. That's really the only way to keep it from becoming a "gun tax" of sorts.
When I did private armed security we had a qualification course ther mirrored the local police and it was abyssmal. Every thing I learned I've done on my own dime. It's not their fault but I do hate seeing the argument that police are better shots. Some are great. A lot I wouldn't want to be anywhere near. I have no clue how to address that. Budget issues exist but I ser police everywhere buyin fancy equipment and paramilitarizing themselves to the point I turned down a LE job offer largely because I no longer like what our police represent. They seem to find money for that. They ought to buy less toys and more training
Also, I'm sick of the news. Let the victims and the victims' families get some reprieve and private mourning time.
I'll note that it wasn't necessarily the case here, but it seems related.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog.....s-are-the-rise
Whether Psychology Today is a reasonable source or not I'll leave up to you...
People hourly make fools of themselves by even trying to suggest any simple fix to it, but I firmly believe healthcare and education to be the most important places to start.
we belive in these monsters so they exist
its a logical thing but you need brain