I meant if guns weren't readily available then the likelihood of gun violence is lessened and that is a fact. I once heard an American commentator say that Americans need to defend themselves, but whom are you defending yourselves from with all these guns ?
I'm not being flippant but I am trying to get my head around why there is around 300 million guns on the streets of America
Define readily available.
Violent crime is down in the USA and has been for a number of years, even decades. It is these mass shootings that are on the rise. Mentally ill people are more likely to act out their fantasies than in previous years. Why? Multi-layered response and firearm ownership is only the incidental aspect.
You said it, 300 million guns and yet these shootings are outliers in terms of use of firearms per gun owners.
If we break down the logic of those who want to abridge the Right to own firearms to its logic inputs because a very limited number of people commit crimes with them then the same can be said to restrict/limit our other Rights which are also poorly used by small elements of Society.
The gun free zones and new laws restricting type of arms are of limited benefit as mostly law abiding are affected. Those who wish to commit crimes will find an end around. So we are left in the situation of penalizing law abiding people for the acts of criminals which are a very very small number of firearm owners.
It is more accurate to state it is a mental health issue and not a firearm related issue.
In the USA, the Press and other elements really rush to judgement because the real reasons are complex and far beyond the simplistic knee jerk reaction of ban guns, restrict guns, etc.etc. which are ideal talking points, affect mostly those of a particular political bent who are also their political adversaries, etc.
Another common element mass shooting perpetrators have with criminals focusing on theft-they strike at those who cannot defend themselves. None have attacked where their targets are likely to be able to defend themselves and when confronted with armed resistance either meekly surrender or commit suicide. Yes, there are exceptions of course.
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