Because of the recent shooting in the movie theater in Aurora, CO the issue of gun rights and gun control comes up often in conversations, as people get passionate over the idea of people owning guns. Many believe it is their right to own guns while others believe no one except the police and military should own guns. The common misconception among most of them is the saying “guns kill people.” The reality is that guns do not kill people; people kill people.
The guns did not walk into that theater and open fire on a crowd of innocent people there to watch a movie. Instead, it was a person with obvious mental issues. For some reason he decided he wanted to kill people. Whatever his reasons, we may never actually know why he wanted to do it. While no one is happy, he walked into the theater and harmed a bunch of people; the guns he was carrying did not harm them. He, the human being, did it.
People Who Want to Kill, Will
The fact remains anyone who wants to kill someone can do it and they do not need a gun to kill someone. People who want to kill will find a way whether it is with guns, bombs, or chopsticks. Now you might think chopsticks are a stupid thing to think of killing someone with but the sad fact remains if someone wants to kill, he or she will find a way to do it. 9/11 is proof of where people planned an attack and carried it out with something used every day in our lives: the airplane.
Consider this. People who decide to drive after drinking or to use a cell phone while behind the wheel are just as guilty of using the car as a weapon when they harm someone. The car did not do it; the person behind the wheel did it. It is against the law to drink and drive drunk and people make a conscious choice to do it anyway. In addition, while it is not against the law to use the phone in a car in all states (it is in some and people still use it), it is still a choice to use it or not use it while driving. Therefore, these are all preventable injuries and deaths, the same as with gun injuries and deaths.
Statistics Comparing Gun and Preventable Motor Vehicle Injuries and Deaths
Look at the 2009 U.S. gun accident injuries and death statistics from The Suit compared to the 2010 U.S. cell phone distractions, texting figures and drunken driving figures from MADD and NHTSA:
Preventable Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries and Deaths, 2010
Distracted Drivers
- · 416,000 Injured
- · 3,092 Deaths
Drunken Drivers
- · 10,228 Deaths
- · 345,000 Injuries
Gun Accident Injuries and Deaths, 2009
- · 31,224 Deaths
- · 66,768 Injuries
More people are killed or injured by drunk drivers or drivers using a cell phone than with guns, so why are not people asking for a ban on cars?
Education and Good Regulation is Key
Instead, of trying to ban guns completely, change the rules around owning them. Educate people; require a gun safety class and a training course on how to shoot and care for the gun before being able to buy one. Implement a waiting period in all states for background checks, etc. before a person can purchase a gun. Ban assault weapons and clips above 20 rounds from the general public (the military and police are the only people who need these types of weapons anyway). Make it illegal to carry guns (even those licensed to carry) in most public areas such as malls, theaters, restaurants, public buildings, arenas, school campuses, churches, etc.
Trying to ban guns is not the answer, just as banning cars is also not the answer since so many people driving cars cause injuries or death to others. Instead, education and better laws will help with the answer but once again, it is the person who wants to kill, who will find a way if he or she chooses to whether it is with a gun or with the chopsticks. Stop blaming the guns and start holding the people with the guns or whatever the weapon of choice accountable for their actions.
