More states are pushing for stronger gun control initiatives 😑

This stuff really gets a prolonged sigh out of me. I hate guns and I hate gun violence as much as anyone, but I simply cannot support something that I don't believe works and ever will. Start pushing for things like holding the media accountable for how they report on mass shootings, I'll be right on top of that any day! But I firmly believe we're long past the point of new gun regulations and stricter background checks making any real difference.

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NerdyPotato · M

I agree the attention mass shooters get is making things worse, but think gun control is also important. The best solution is to tackle this problem from multiple sides. Better mental healthcare is another important factor, but none of these measures will separately make more than a dent in gun violence. Together they can.

Elessar · 26-30, M

@NerdyPotato We're neither champions of mental health, let alone of sensible journalism in our continent and especially my country, and yet:

The solution to gun violence is gun access restriction, whether republicans like it or not.

Ducky · 31-35, F

@NerdyPotato You may be right, but until I start seeing both working out, I have to remain skeptical of one.

NerdyPotato · M

@Ducky well, gun control only works on a national level. Has that been really tried yet? If one venue, city or state has strict laws on buying guns but doesn't check what people bring in from areas where they can obtained a lot easier, of course the impact will be limited.

Ducky · 31-35, F

@NerdyPotato I'm not convinced of that either though. France has some of the strictest gun laws in the world, but that didn't stop the 2015 Paris shootings from happening. Unless I missed something there.

NerdyPotato · M

@Ducky Of course no regulation or anything will completely stop anything. But you had to go back 7 years to find one example there and how many have there been in the USA this year alone?

Speed limits and seatbelt mandates don't bring traffic deaths down to zero either, but does that make them useless?

Ducky · 31-35, F

@NerdyPotato None that I'm aware of. But even so, I think it would be a bit harder for it make much of a difference when we already have guns everywhere. If it does happen someday and proves effective, I may very well have a different perspective on gun control in my country. For now, I have to see it work to believe it will.

NerdyPotato · M

@Ducky That's true, it can at most help phase guns out, but it will take decades to centuries before it will may start to have an effect. On the short term it will definitely not do a thing. But then again, most measures won't have an immediate effect.