Gun control that works
Robert A. Hall
Robert A. Hall
(This column was originally published in the Camden County, NJ Courier Post on August 20, 1999.)
“Oh, God, not again,” I thought as I watched strings of frightened children being led from that Jewish Community Center. A maniac with a gun. Innocent people—including kids—dead or wounded. And politicians ripping each other over “gun control,” using this hot-button issue to gain votes.
A significant portion of the American public believes they have a right to own a gun for hunting or self-protection. Let there be a violent crime in a neighborhood, or an escaped murderer, and gun sales jump. There’s research showing many crimes are prevented because of gun ownership.
And politicians who draw support from gun owners need the issue to get votes.
There’s also a significant chunk of the public who believes all guns should be outlawed or that there should be more gun control—though what form it should take depends on what kind of gun was used in the latest outrage. There’s also research showing that easy access to guns increases gun violence.
And politicians who draw support from anti-gun folks need the issue to get votes.
With the public sharply divided, and politicians on both sides benefiting from keeping the issue hot, is there any hope? Would any “gun control” legislation resolve the issue?
“Oh, God, not again,” I thought as I watched strings of frightened children being led from that Jewish Community Center. A maniac with a gun. Innocent people—including kids—dead or wounded. And politicians ripping each other over “gun control,” using this hot-button issue to gain votes.
A significant portion of the American public believes they have a right to own a gun for hunting or self-protection. Let there be a violent crime in a neighborhood, or an escaped murderer, and gun sales jump. There’s research showing many crimes are prevented because of gun ownership.
And politicians who draw support from gun owners need the issue to get votes.
There’s also a significant chunk of the public who believes all guns should be outlawed or that there should be more gun control—though what form it should take depends on what kind of gun was used in the latest outrage. There’s also research showing that easy access to guns increases gun violence.
And politicians who draw support from anti-gun folks need the issue to get votes.
With the public sharply divided, and politicians on both sides benefiting from keeping the issue hot, is there any hope? Would any “gun control” legislation resolve the issue?
