Skydancer, you have a distorted, knee jerk version of gun ownership in the US. That video must have pushed all of your hot buttons. In reality, the shooting was safe (except for that moving .50, IMO), and the people there no more likely to misuse weapons than you are to ride full throttle down a street crowded with pedestrians.
Nor, is there a common “live in fear” mentality except for those living in inner city areas and facing the consequences of the war on drugs. Or, those living in rural areas where they may have to rely on themselves for self defense since it can take up to a hour for the police to arrive. Or, an average person who knows the odds of a violent encounter are very slim, but wants extra piece of mind in case the absolute and unlikely actually happens.
Again, it might be hard for you to understand that having fun shooting guns at a range (even the poor innocent children enjoying quality time with their attentive parents) will not lead the average, socially developed person to go on a rampage. Rampages make a lot of news, but hard statistics don't bear that out as a general reality.
Deaths in the US in 2000 (out of a total population of 281,421,906):
* Tobacco: 435,000 deaths (.15 percent of the total population)
* Alcohol consumption: 85,000 deaths (.03 percent of the total population) Note: 16,653 deaths from alcohol-related vehicle crashes are included.
Total daily death toll, 233. While Columbine got a lot of attention with
15 dead, how many “Columbines” happen to high school kids each weekend due to underage alcohol consumption and driving? Where’s the outrage? I know. A lot of non gun owners find it easy to take away somebody else’s gun hobby or needed protection, but by dammed if they will let you touch their bottle of Carbernet Sauvignon, Martini or pint of Guinness.
* Incidents involving firearms: 29,000 (.01%. of the total population)
Figures generally indicate that over 50% of all firearm deaths are suicides. Guns are very effective suicide weapons, but if you use a gun you are serious to begin with, and will likely find an equally effective alternative. Hopefully not killing other people in the process, like the young lady who tried to kill herself recently by car accident and ended up taking out two innocents (she lived) in the process.
Similarly, where urban crime is concerned, over half of the deaths are criminal on criminal - “failed drug war” combat casualties. I would imagine that a good percentage of the remaining is also drug war related. Living near a high crime major city myself, and regularly reading the local paper, it is very seldom that you find a casual gun homicide between legal “regular Joes” who got in an argument. And, as often as not, a knife, blunt object or beating seems to be the weapon of choice. Are the guns the problem, or the social conditions that lead to illegal gun use? Criminals will find a way to guns, and even if by chance there is a total prohibition, then the knife or blunt objects come into play. But, for many politicians, blaming the guns seems easier than trying to do something about the underlying reasons for the illegal gun use.
* Drugs (obviously hard drugs): 17,000 (.006% of the total population)
I personally know three friends who died alcohol-related deaths, but believe responsible drinkers should be able to socially drink and pay the consequences if they can’t handle the booze. However, you UK folk who like to tilt a pint or two might have some room for concern. The government is already willing to “do what’s best” and alcohol is apparently on the radar at some level:
August 22, 2003
Alcohol Deaths Triple in U.K.
According to the latest government statistics, alcohol-releated deaths among British citizens aged 15-44 have tripled in the past 20 years -- including deaths from health problems, accidents and murders.
In the early 1980s only two percent of deaths among that age group were attributed to alcohol. The latest official statistics put that rate at six percent in 2001 and one health official blames the government for not implementing its own alcohol policy, according to DeHavilland Information Services.
Evan Harris, Liberal Democrats' health spokesperson, said as many as 240,000 lives may be lost since the government first developed its alcohol strategy in 1998 and when it will be implemented in 2004.
"Alcohol is one of the most dangerous and damaging drugs in Britain today," Dr. Harris said. "Excessive boozing kills four times as many people as drug abuse. It is one of the main causes of anti-social, aggressive and violent behaviour. It causes huge problems for the health service - for accident and emergency departments as well as doctors treating the effects of long-term alcohol abuse, such as liver damage and heart disease."
'There must be more research into the problem, better information and a structured alcohol strategy,' he added.
And what about you motorcycle riders?
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents today issued a six-point action plan to cut casualties on Britain's roads after Government figures showed the highest number of road deaths for six years. Deaths rose from 3,431 in 2002 to 3,508 last year - up two per cent. The biggest problems were with deaths among motorcyclists - up 14 per cent - and car users - up one per cent.
RoSPA wants:
1. Measures to ensure motorcyclists get enough training and that they build up experience on smaller machines before progressing to the bigger bikes, often favoured by people in their 30s and 40s.
2. The drink drive limit to be lowered to 50mg - a move that could save 50 lives and 250 serious injuries a year - and random breath testing.
3. Motorists to be encouraged to take regular refresher training, which would improve driving standards.
4. Employers and the Health and Safety Executive to do more to manage the risks faced and created by employees on the road - between 800 and 1,000 road deaths a year are work-related.
5. A switch in the system of changing clocks in spring and autumn to give lighter evenings all year round and potentially save 450 lives and serious injuries each year.
6. Higher profile police presence to act as a deterrent to bad drivers because the number of traffic police has reduced in recent years.
Pretty reasonable, perhaps. But is that a stopping point or a starting point?
Charon
