It seems the issue of gun violence is really a conglomerate of other, albeit not smaller, issues. While this article will not attempt to solve any of these, it will try to highlight them.
The Second Amendment takes center stage, mostly for Constitutional reasons. Changing the Constitution is extremely improbable and highly resisted. Interpreting it is veiled in fog and no one interpretation garners large support. Looking at the Second we see issues of militia, free state security and keeping and bearing arms. No mention of personal protection or ownership of arms. This seems interesting.
Mental Health. Needless to say, those who murder are not mentally healthy. Care, maintenance and/or support for these people is lacking. The problem arises as to who should/could undertake such an assignment. Who would pay for it? Who would be "enrolled" in such support services?
Freedom. A much used term, but is it really understood? Do we, as Americans, really enjoy it? We stop at red lights. We drive within designated road lanes. Perhaps these are minor issues, but is it total freedom?
Tackling these, and other, issues is also a challenge. OvalOptions in Denver recently listed on their facebook page an open call for opinions from anybody on the issue of gun violence. It seems that facebook users will "chat" about subjects on their or their friends' pages, but not on a neutral and public space. They seem inhibited a bit. This does not bode well for open discussion in public on this issue or others (abortion, gay rights, etc) in the near future.
We seem to be in for some trying times in the next decade that may shape the U.S. for centuries. The first problem to tackle is communication. We need to be able to speak to each other about sensitive topics and not resort to vitriol, name calling, and automatic dismissal of ideas, thoughts and concerns. It is OK to be open, wrong and ignorant on issues. It is not OK to limit yourself of remedying these.
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