WHO ARE WE AFRAID OF?

Aiming at the Wrong Target Doesn’t Work

When we seek to solve a problem, we need to clearly identify what is causing it, testing this hypothesis to be sure we have it right before we implement a solution.  I learned this lesson in grad school and honed my technique as an IT performance analyst.  As an example, if you think you need more CPU to make a system run faster, but your problem is memory, you will have wasted time and money on the wrong solution.

Gun Violence is the Problem, not Gun Ownership

No one will dispute that many people, particularly those living in low-income housing areas, fear gun violence.  The rates of shooting have skyrocketed, surprisingly to some, mostly in areas with the most stringent gun laws.  But why are we surprised?  The most basic concept is that criminals don’t care much about laws, particularly now, where authorities appear to be hesitant to use existing law to put the bad guys in prison.  But still, the demand for more gun laws continues.

Can we agree that the concern is the criminal element that uses guns to get what they want, harm people or simply to wave around and fire recklessly?  Legal gun ownership is NOT the heart of the problem, as those who go through the complex and expensive process to buy a gun are following the law.  Very few criminals go through this process; they steal guns or get them on the black market.  Making this process more complex doesn’t deter criminals.

Identifying Solutions

If we now identify the problem as gun violence by criminals, people who should not have access to a gun, then we can narrow down solutions.  With more than 20,000 gun laws on the books, let’s look at how many actually impact criminals, instead of disarming people who might be harmed by them.  In fact, taking guns away from those most in danger from violence from criminals is the opposite of good policy.  After Florida opened up concealed carry to good citizens, gun violence dropped substantially, and mostly involved shootings between rival gangs and criminals.  One exception was that foreign tourists still could be held up.  Why?  Because they couldn’t take a gun with them on their travels.  Crooks even avoided senior citizens walking with canes.  Granny could be packing heat. 

Since criminals ignore laws, passing more won’t solve the problem.  And by making it hard for good guys and gals to get a gun, you make them much more likely to be victims.

Instead, we need to look at what has worked.  In states with “shall issue” laws, which mean that unless you have a criminal record or serious mental problem, you will be issued a concealed carry permit if you want one, the rate of gun violence is much lower.  “May issue” works differently, as in my home state of California.  Here, you “may” get a permit, but only if you are a star or key politician. 

Criminals are deterred not by laws, but by fear for their own safety.  It’s why they don’t accost pro football players or other “tough guys” on the street.  But when they don’t know who might shoot them, they are far more cautious.

What needs to go along with this proposal is that each new gun owner needs training, which is harder and harder as cities and counties strive to close gun ranges.  But without these, how can you know how to safely and sanely carry a weapon?  I just went through retraining in Nevada and ended up with three pages of notes—some more ideas on how to be a safer gun owner.  Just like owning a car, which causes far more deaths than guns, you need to know what you’re doing and you need to practice. 

The Problem of Teen Anger

School shootings are generally due to an aggrieved kid acting out.  The solution, again, is not another law or preventing adults on campus from having guns.  Instead, we need to work harder at identifying at-risk children and getting them the mental health help they need.  Keep in mind that years ago, the school problems were kids with zip-guns and knives.  If a child is angry and wants to harm people, they don’t need a gun.  If they don’t have access to one, they certainly have other options.  Early detection and intervention will reduce these acts as well as bullying behavior.  It might also help alleviate other problems we see in schools today, such as anorexia and the feeling that teen malaise would be eased if you simply changed your sex.

We need to do better for our teens. But at the same time, we need to allow people to ensure their own safety.  Numerous gun laws haven’t worked; it’s time to give up on that hypothesis and go with a proven solution.

“When seconds count, the police are only minutes away.”