• Hardeehar@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I will agree that no guns = no gun violence if you can say it also = no gun defense. If guns take lives, they also preserve and defend them even without firing a shot.

    I dont want hurt to come to anyone but it can happen regardless of the best intentions. Media and politicians happily ignore this because they have people with guns standing next to them at all times. I don’t have enough money for a personal bodyguard. I do not live across from the police station. I only have myself same goes for my family.

    But it doesn’t matter.

    If you could remove all guns, would you? I wouldn’t because I know we would still be faced with the same level of violent people. It’ll shift from guns to something else but now, my elderly parents, my wife and I wouldn’t be able to defend ourselves apparently. I’ll say that children in schools will still be targeted by violent people even without guns.

    I lament the loss of life that has been brought by the use of guns. But there must be a way to allow law abiding citizens unrestricted access for defense while removing access to would-be criminals for violence.

    If you get your way, I’d like to know how you propose I defend my kin from a person or persons who wish me harm? Because I know you won’t be there for me, personally.

    • GiddyGap@lemm.eeOP
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      1 year ago

      Remove the tools that make gun violence possible, guns and especially assault weapons, and address the root cause of the violence: The inequality, the poverty, the lack of opportunity for many groups of people, etc.

      That’s what many European countries have been so successful at doing and they have more or less eradicated gun violence with few exceptions (like gang violence that rarely affect schools children and other innocent people).

      Unfortunately, in the US, the policies required to address these issues are often labeled as “socialism” or even “communism” by 40 percent of the population and don’t make it through the Senate filibusters.

      • Hardeehar@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        I do not believe it’s possible to remove the “tools of violence” from the ones who want to cause it. You would only remove them from me, making me less able to defend myself.

        I do agree with going after the “root cause” which is exactly as you said it is. Poverty, lack of opportunity, inequality, mental health, etc. These should be addressed as priority. I believe we would see a decrease in violence in general as a whole if proper care was achieved for everyone.

        There is a medium somewhere that satisfies (or dissatisfies) both sides of the argument.

        • GiddyGap@lemm.eeOP
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          1 year ago

          I think it requires both. Attack the root cause of crime and remove the tools of violence.

          The second amendment never meant to protect military style weapons. It’s absolutely crazy that random people run around with AR-15s for “defense.” Makes no sense.

          Unfortunately, the “bad guy with a gun” all too often used to be a “good guy with a gun,” but life turned sour and now they are going to take it out on a bunch of 2nd graders. And because they have the good-guy tools, they can. Nuts.

        • ASeriesOfPoorChoices@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          “believe”. Because it’s a belief, like a religion. Ignore all other other humans who got rid of guns, because Americans can’t because they’re a special magical people who can’t give up guns.

          Jeezus. Americans aren’t special. Other countries have given up guns. America could do it do.

          You’re just scared. You - specifically you - are ruled by fear. Look at you. Thinking having a gun is going to help you defend shit.

          You’re a baby with a binkie who never grew up.

          • Hardeehar@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            America is special. There’s no country with this amount of diversity of culture or people. It’s an experiment that works and has kept working.

            Prior to having a family, I wasn’t nearly as scared. I was absolutely invincible. After having one? You bet your ass I’m scared and willing to protect them at all costs.

            I don’t think there’s any weakness in admitting that.

            Edit - also belief has nothing to do with religion in the context I’m using it here. To frame it another way: I have accepted that there is nothing that can be done to remove guns.

            • ASeriesOfPoorChoices@lemmy.world
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              1 year ago

              And your religion (or fear) has fooled you into thinking that having a gun helps keep you or anyone around you safe.

              It’s your binky. Your pacifier. Your bible you hug and fondle without understanding.