Why Gun Control?

An 18-year-old should not be able to own a gun. In the United States, a person needs to be at least 21 years old to drink or smoke tobacco, but at least 18 to own a deadly weapon. Basically, it’s okay to kill other people before you can kill yourself.

I know that statement sounds harsh, but there are only so many ways we can slice this. I’m also a bit passionate considering the recent transgressions. Irrespective of how I am feeling, however, the assertion remains true. The United States is ass backwards – at this point, we all know it. One of the things that make this country so pernicious is the ubiquitous access to guns, and the government’s inability to properly regulate that access. Yes, the people who commit these atrocious acts are dangerous, usually unwell or racist individuals, and should be punished accordingly. And the mass shooting in Uvalde is a gut-wrenching ordeal – sending love and positive energy to the families and those affected by this tragic incident. 

The people who commit heinous crimes such as mass shootings may exhibit the behaviors they do regardless of any intervention, but it is possible to take away their ability to engage in these acts. Gun control. Before we get into conversations about rehabilitation and mental health support, let’s take away their opportunity to purchase a mass murder device and use it on a crowd of innocent people. 

I feel like it should be an easy decision to make. Our lawmakers can’t seem to agree on how to tackle this issue, and it’s causing people to die for no other reason than they decided to go to the grocery store, church, or even to school. Congress won’t pass gun control laws because their pockets are more or less lined with blood money. According to this article, pro-gun lobbyists outspent gun control lobbyists by more than 5x. That means for every dollar spent towards gun control, pro-gun lobbyists spent AT LEAST 5 dollars more. Evil is working hard, ladies and gentlemen. The article also illuminates which lawmakers received the most money within the last year. No surprise to see Sen. Ted Cruz on there. There’s also this website that has data going back as far as 2019 that provides insight into which lawmakers received the most pro-gun funding since that time period. Mitt Romney, a politician many of us know from his loss to President Obama during his run for a second term, received over 13 million dollars. The second most funding was to Sen. Richard Burr; however, Romney had him beat – by a lot. Knowing all this, it’s no wonder why passing gun control laws seems like a pipe dream. Our politicians don’t work for us, they work for the pro-gun coalitions. They work for guns. 

It’s disgusting to see how much money they take from these organizations, and it makes you wonder, what would our political ecosystem look like without some of these individuals? A lot of the lawmakers on these lists would not have a career in politics if it weren’t for the massive donations they accept from these pro-gun groups. If they decided not to take their money they wouldn’t be able to campaign as strongly or have as broad a platform, and they may never even see their office seat. Our government would look very different. Also, this notion that the money would just go somewhere else isn’t a justifiable argument. I guarantee the NRA are not offering Mitt Romney the same amount of money they’re offering some local conservatives with little to no platform or political following. It’s about power. It’s always been about power. Steve Kerr said it best in his speech, “…When are we gonna do something! …We are being held hostage by 50 senators who refuse to even put [gun control] to a vote despite what we, the American people, want…They want to hold on to their own power. It’s pathetic.” It’s about power folks, and until these lawmakers are ready to capitulate that blood money, are removed from office, or frankly die, then it’s going to continue to be about power.

Moving on from politics, because that isn’t our only issue here, we need to talk about why everyday people need guns in the first place. We need to think more about why people have guns and the purpose a gun serves. As a philosopher, I’ve given this a lot of thought. Going back to my first point, I find it extremely absurd that an 18-year-old can walk into a business in Texas and purchase any gun at all, whether it be a sidearm or assault rifle. I understand the 2nd amendment says that people in the United States have a right to bear arms for the “protection of a free State,” but why have we in the centuries since the Constitution was ratified never tried to define what “arms” mean? I think ownership of a gun is fine, as long as you are of a certain age – potentially even higher than 21 – and certain mental well-being, but I don’t think any person who fits these criteria should have access to any sort of gun. Sidearms, hunting rifles, shotguns, and other guns within that category are probably fine for mass consumption – probably. However, when we start talking about higher-tiered weaponry, for example, an assault rifle or machine gun, then I think that is where we need to draw a clear line in the sand.

From my interpretation, the right to bear arms for the protection of a free State means that weapons should be used to ensure that tyranny does not proliferate or pollute American society. Not carry around a huge gun so nobody will **** with you. But that’s what it seems like gun laws are today, a pissing contest of who can own the biggest gun. And in between those pissing contests, there are sick people who buy these guns to use on bystanders trying to buy eggs for breakfast or say a prayer. 

No civilian needs an assault rifle, I’m sorry, I don’t care for any arguments. The nomenclature of assault rifles should be taken very strictly. These guns are used for assault – it’s literally in the name. The word assault is synonymous with attack, and attack does not mean defend or protect. Assault rifles and machine guns should be taken away from the public; anybody who owns one is either crazy, paranoid, sinister, or some combination of the three. Think about it, how much safer would you feel right now if you knew for a fact that it was illegal to buy an assault-style weapon of any kind. Personally, I’d feel much better and would like my chances more in an active shooter situation. I know that’s a very grim situational example, but that is the reality of our world today. According to this data set, 76% of the mass shootings that occurred where the shooter had an assault weapon were in public spaces. These are weapons of mass destruction, and these people know that. 

We need to do something about this. Kids are dying. Kids, who haven’t even gotten a chance to understand who they are or what they have to offer the world. They’re dying. No more excuses, no more bullsh*t. Gun control has to happen now; not soon, now. Not that I expected better from my government, but I think it’s time for these politicians mentioned above to really rethink their political careers. Because if you need pro-gun funding to survive politically, then you’re in the wrong field.

OA