My wife showed me that video last night. It was very good, timely, and a recommended view for everyone.
Many individuals feel that the gun debate and consequences is a “slippery slope” but the mental health debate may very well be a much more slippery slope. Who decides mental soundness for gun ownership ? Seems to be an arena where many more civil liberties could be impacted.
If you say you, as a civilian, you need the opportunity to own an assault rifle to protect yourself from a tyrannical government, do you sound paranoid or mentally sound?
If you go to a building on Sundays and speak to an imaginary person seeking guidance in your life, do you exhibit the mental acuity to possess a weapon capable of claiming so many lives?
These are very challenging questions that need to be carefully debated. I’d like to say threads like these shouldn’t exist on our “beer and circus” forums but there are instances where the severity of subject matter transcends the platform.
Everyone that can contribute without name calling or discrediting everything someone says w/o reading their entire post, is making strides to find a common ground and moving towards the process of impacting change.
Well said.
I've never been one to hide behind the slippery slope reasoning to not have the discussion. Beer and circus forums like this (nice btw) are good places to try because a challenging POV coming into an echo chamber is a good way to start an argument. But that argument can also spur new thinking just so long as the challenger holds a moral high ground and skips resorting to insults.
Some don't like having their bubble breached but too bad. Many more don't like being shot at either.
Causes and solutions need to be discussed from all angles in an intelligent fashion. Which as demonstrated is not always easy but nonetheless, such shootings will go on and on until we do.
How many of you have gone onto OpenSecrets.org and looked up sources of campaign funding from organizations that support the firearm industry? Gun control advocates working your voting district will certainly be more than happy to share that list with you but to avoid their spin, I suggest doing it on your own.
Wait a bit if you choose before taking this next step if the "grieving" period thing is important to you because it's going to be a ballsy move when you do.
If anyone you voted for comes up on your list, call them up, identify yourself as a supporter and responsible gun owner (if you are) and simply ask them what they plan on doing about the growing problem of mass shootings in America despite having a record of accepting funds from the gun industry lobby. If you believe mental health is a factor, don't mention that. See if they bring it up.
Have they spoken to the gun industry advocates to seek their input? Probe but dont attack. Don't ask closed-ended or leading questions because they are only going to say what you want to hear.
You're not playing gotcha. But remember that this person works for you.
If the answers sound canned and hollow, time for a change. If they refer to mental health issues, they're thinking in two dimensions which is good. Ask what they are working on to keep guns out of the hands of those with mental health issues.
If they fall back to slippery slopes and dead end answers and you come away feeling like you were told that "2A trumps all so get used to it", then it's time for a change in your district. This isn't about 2A anymore, it's about mental illness and firearms. The 2A angle is just cover to avoid the real discussion.
There is a growing tidal wave of Americans on both sides out there that are becoming more and more impatient with this crap.
Even the surviving students are already pushing back.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/florida-shooting-teens-gun-control_us_5a85ea3be4b004fc3190306e
Not a huge fan of Huff but this reads well into the narrative here.
If I was an opportunist seeking election, I'd for sure want one of those kids at my podium during a rally and you can bet it's going to happen leading into the 2020 party conventions.
Any candidate or media mouthpiece that favors the same old talking points is about to get rolled but if the wave gets too big and get's out of control, we could lose 2A altogether.
Don't think beer and circus forums like this are appropriate? I agree and perhaps you're right.
Let's take our thoughts and opinions and point them in the direction of our elected then.
Be the change.
