Another Shooting, and Still Shirking the Responsibilities...

Another mass killing.  And the same playbook getting trotted out:

* Mass killing happens.
* Media runs stories speculating motive
* Politicians start saying how bad they feel about it.
* Extreme liberals blame guns
* Right wing nuts blame not enough guns
* Wait a while
* Go back to step one

But yet, the shootings are merely a symptom of a larger disease:  Neo-conservatism.  The notion that every person is their own country, and free to act in any way, shape, or form that suits them.  Neglectful of the community they are a part of, and unwilling to self-police their own communities.

I asked to a dealer,"You know, why don't the arms dealers take it upon themselves to screen potential buyers a bit more?"  The answer,"I follow the letter of the law.  As long as I get my money that's all that matters."  Symptom of selfishness and greed, indicative of the "My own country" mentality, ignorant of the ramifications.

I asked an extreme lefty this:"The Netherlands require every person to own a gun, yet their violent crime rates are low.  How is banning guns going to solve anything?"  The answer?  "The only safe place is a place without guns!"  Sure, let's ask China how safe it is there.

The issue at hand isn't the inherently the number of guns in the US.  It's our attitudes about them.

"They're just a tool, like a hammer or screwdriver!"  Yes, and tools are designed for a purpose.  A gun's purpose is to kill.  So, stop trying to beat around the bush.

"Fewer guns on the streets makes us all safer!"  No, it doesn't.  Crime rates appear to have no correlation to gun ownership.

"The constitution says I can bear arms, so the gub'mint can't tell me what guns I can or can't buy!"  Yes, they can, much in the same manner as they restrict other arms from being borne by you, such as nuclear tipped missiles, tanks, RPG's, etc.  Reasonable restrictions to all rights has always been supported by the Supreme Court, just like the restriction on free speech which prohibits a person from yelling,"FIRE!" in a crowded theater.

We need to change the attitudes of our country if we want to prevent more mass killings.  Dealers need to take responsibility for flooding the streets with guns.  Neighbors need to pay better attention to their neighbors (Not Big-Brotherish, but pay attention for someone about to flip).  Communities need to figure out ways to keep their kids out of crime's way, not usher them right into it.  Gun owners need to take responsibility for the deadly tool under their control (At all times).

And, most of all, we need to drop this "I'm a self-made person, and owe nothing to nobody!"  That's the attitude that brings us things like this.