Gun control

[Zazzy]

I think laws forcing people to take safety precautions if they have small children are effectively unenforceable. What's the point, if the only time you enforce them is after a child has died? So no, I don't really see the point. It's closing the barn door after the horse already took a powder, or more accurately, one of those things that sounds like a good idea but as a practical matter has fully no effect whatsoever.

You're right.

One of the differences, I think, is the extent to which guns are fetishized in this country. Americans think guns are SEXY. It's horrible, and changing that perception should be a priority.

Yes- but how do you think that happens? Most people like shoot-em-ups, or those movies wouldn't be so popular. And based on the research in the article, little boys are nearly hopeless in this regard, which depresses me.

I don't reflexively blame the gun.

It's more complicated than that for me, and I think for you, too. It's blaming a whole culture that doesn't THINK about these things, or teach parents to think about them without getting hysterical.

As for why some object strenuously to background checks, I think there is a vocal faction among gun owners who equate having their guns to living in their own personal Western. ANYTHING that they see as an encroachment on their rights is to be bitched about and resisted. Most of the gun owners I know have no problem with thorough background checks. I view those who object to them with extreme suspicion -- and I always hope they don't have a gun.

Is this a minority or majority faction, IYO? And I'm pretty sure that those who shriek about it are the most likely to be armed- or is that my liberal gun-naive voice talking?

Reasonable gun owners have no objection. The Posse comitatus crowd start to froth at the mouth at the very notion.

But surely they see YOU as unreasonable, and you probably have a better grip on why that is than I do- and I would like to hear your thoughts on that.

Truly, I hope I am helping you do that.

You are. I am genuinely thinking about what you have said and trying not to make the reflexive responses of someone who has never shot a gun. Which may or may not be working, but it's rare to find someone like you to discuss this with peacefully. I appreciate it.