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A very strong argument for gun rights that is often not made is how they can allow for the physically disabled to defend themselves. The linked article is by Kurt Hofmann, a paraplegic who could not realistically defend himself from a physical assault by a healthy person without some sort of weapon. A small, concealable firearm is his best option for self-defense when he is out and about. This argument is really just an extension of the argument that guns are the great equalizer, giving anyone the means to defend himself from attack by anyone else. No matter who you are, there will be someone (or some group) who can defeat you in unarmed combat. Even if you win a fight against an attacker, you are likely to be injured.
As an aside, the argument that there will be an arms race between muggers/burglars and potential victims can be answered by pointing out that criminals often already have guns. And our laws are MUCH more strict on criminals who commit murder or use a gun to commit a crime. Guns will deter casual criminals or opportunists while truly dedicated criminals will probably not be deterred but will also probably avoid victims with guns. In the US, for example, burglars avoid houses where people are present. In the UK, this is not as true.
As another aside, Oleg Volk is a stunning photographer who takes unconventional, yet striking photographs. He does portraits as well as photographs with a message. (Some galleries have artistic nudity.)
Technorati: Guns, Crime, Law,
Monday, March 2, 2009
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3 comments:
There are a few basic problems with guns. I mean this in terms of factually problematic/complicates analysis rather than the "oughtness" of it:
1. The utility of guns as a means of personal safety needs in suburban and rural areas is very different in character than the problems caused by the proliferation of guns in urban areas. Firearms and crowded living spaces are a bad mix.
2. Its amazingly easy to buy guns and ammo: they are cheap, portable, plentiful, the quality for the use as person protection ranges from passable to subperb. Irrespective of what you think about licensing and waiting periods and whatnot: Relative to say, a car, its really easy for someone basically unqualified to operate a firearm to get a hold of one. It only takes a few gun accidents to really paint a very negative picture of gun owners. Plaxico, I'm talking about you.
3. This should have gone after the first one, so its out of order. The needs of sports hunters is different from the needs of ranchers is different from the needs of personal protection. Unlike the city versus country distinction, this is realized in different classes of firearms. The fact that there are different classes of firearms for different uses is lost on gun control advocates, which tends to anger and confuse gun rights advocates.
4. This should have been after the 2nd one, boy I'm really messed up, anyhow: Gun Toys. I don't let me kids play with gun toys. Why not? Because guns aren't toys. Gun owners and the NRA should be really more aggressive about this. Gun Toys teach all the wrong lessons about guns: that they are fun, that they are good to settle arguments, that they don't hurt anyone, that you can take back firing it, that they are whimsical, etc. They also instill bad habits in terms of stance, grip, siting, firefight tactics, care and maintence of your weapon. Ok, I guess this one is sort of an "oughtness" The NRA ought to support the ban of gun toys.
I'm not sure what your point is with 1, 2, & 3. Those are certainly things to think about...
1. Unfortunately, law abiding citizens and criminals acquire guns through different channels and gun laws tend only to affect the former, not the latter. The only way to actually reduce the number of guns out there would be through draconian and intrusive law enforcement. The proliferation of concealed carry permits has not led to an increase in gun crime. If anything, it has led to a reduction. People who get concealed carry permits are less likely to commit any crime than people who don't.
2. True... and all responsible gun owners and the NRA strongly encourage people to be safe and to train.
3. There are different classes of guns for different purposes. The media and politicians tend to be grossly ignorant of even basic firearm function, though (confusing semi-automatic and fully automatic, for example). The whole issue of "assault weapons" is over a made up classification that does not actually distinguish a type of gun. So-called "assault weapons" are only cosmetically different from non-assault weapons in many cases. Yes, gun rights advocates are angered by the incredible ignorance of people who are advocating restricting their Constitutional rights without any clue what they are talking about.
4. I get your point on this one, but disagree. My kids don't have actual fake guns (unless Nerf guns count) but they play all kinds of games and I don't forbid them from playing with toy guns. They also play violent video games. I'm not proud of it but I'm not ashamed of it, either. I do frequently talk to them about the difference between games and pretend and reality and we discuss how one behaves in reality vs. how one might behave in a game (or how people behave on TV or in books). When they are older, I will take them to the shooting range and teach them the basics of gun safety and shooting.
If shooting guns wasn't fun, then why is it called "gunplay"? But seriously, shooting IS fun. Lots of fun. But it's like a lot of other things, you must take appropriate precautions or the fun can turn deadly. It's not all that different from skydiving, car racing (bike racing, even), swimming at the beach, etc...
Hmm... as my kids get older, I'll have to work on their firing stance and tactics with Nerf guns... maybe playing with guns can be used to teach them good tactics.
My point on 1-3 is that the facts are complex. 4 is somewhat of a nutty rant of mine as I too let my kids play video games and watch violent TV and pretend to kill each other with light sabers (I have maybe 6 or 7) but gun toys are a big no no for me. If my kids want to know how to shoot and I think they are able, I'll probably do the same plan as you.
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