I firmly believe the culture of guns, or how I like to call it, the CULT of guns is the problem in America. Yes you can make laws upon laws, but they will be ineffective over a generation. For instance, exhibit A:
Exhibit A:
People love their guns. They adore their guns. They get extraordinarily paranoid if someone mentions gun control. They believe that it's "liberals" thinly veiled attempt at "absolute control" when anyone mentions gun safety. Why would someone be wearing a lapel pin showing their support for a law from 200 years ago? It is a very strange obsession. Any time one brings up a very reasoned argument for gun control, gun enthusiasts and "Patriots" will argue semantics over fear mongering and the misrepresentation of gun types. Newsflash, it doesn't matter what you classify them as (see previous posts). An AR-15 is just, if not more deadly than an M16. One may not be classified as an assault rifle, but who gives a damn what the hell it's classified as?
The CULTURE of guns needs to change in America, and it begins with baby steps. Much like institutionalized racism ended, SSM being allowed, and other culture shifting changes are made through law changes, laws need to be introduced to promote the nasty side of guns. One day there will need to be a president bold enough to stand up to the lobbyists, and introduce laws such as (and these have been mentioned before):
- A ban on gun advertising (much like tobacco)
- Show statistical, scientific evidence of America's gun problem vs other developed countries on government sponsored TV ads.
- Promote a culture of lending a helping hand to your neighbor, instead of reaching for your gun immediately.
It would take at least a generation for the attitudes of guns to change, and that is what needs to happen.