There are certain pieces of information that are accepted as gospel when it comes to firearms and firearm related crime.
A recent article attempts to debunk some of these myths. Hop over the jump to find out what they were.
Right to Keep and Bear Arms is a DKos group of second amendment supporters who have progressive and liberal values. We don't think that being a liberal means one has to be anti-gun. Some of us are extreme in our second amendment views (no licensing, no restrictions on small arms) and some of us are more moderate (licensing, restrictions on small arms.) Moderate or extreme or somewhere in between, we hold one common belief: more gun control equals lost elections. We don't want a repeat of 1994. We are an inclusive group: if you see the Second Amendment as safeguarding our right to keep and bear arms individually, then come join us in our conversation. If you are against the right to keep and bear arms, come join our conversation. We look forward to seeing you, as long as you engage in a civil discussion.
First, the
article (pdf).
Here are the different section titles, discussing each myth.
Myth: Mass Murderers Snap and Kill Indiscriminately
Myth: Mass Shootings Are on the Rise
Myth: Recent Mass Murders Involve Record-Setting Body Counts
Myth: Violent Entertainment, Especially Video Games, Are Causally Linked to Mass Murder
Myth: Greater Attention and Response to the Telltale Warning Signs Will Allow Us to Identify Would-Be Mass Killers Before They Act
Myth: Widening the Availability of Mental Health Services Will Allow Unstable Individuals to Get the Treatment They Need and Avert Mass Murders
Myth: Enhanced Background Checks Will Keep Dangerous Weapons Out of the Hands of These Madmen
Myth: Restoring the Federal Ban on Assault Weapons Will Prevent These Horrible Crimes
Myth: Expanding “Right to Carry” Provisions Will Deter Mass Killers or at Least Stop Them in Their Tracks and Reduce the Body Counts
Myth: Increasing Physical Security in Schools and Other Places Will Prevent Mass Murder
Myth: Having Armed Guards at Every School Will Serve to Protect Students From an Active Shooter and Provide a Deterrent as Well
There is a LOT covered in this article, more than I can do justice with just three paragraph quotes. I recommend reading the whole thing and coming back to discuss. You'll also notice there are myths from BOTH sides of the debate that were debunked.
Here are some of the conclusion paragraphs, with some diarist commentary:
Gun restrictions and other initiatives may not stop the next mass murderer, wherever he or she may strike, but we can enhance the well-being of millions of Americans in the process. Besides, doing something is better than doing nothing. At least, it will reduce the debilitating feeling of helplessness.
I don't agree with the statement that doing something is better than doing nothing. Sometimes doing something is worse than doing nothing. If it's bad legislation, if it's ineffectual, and/or it accomplishes defeat at the polls whilst doing
nothing to stem the problem (see: Assault Weapons Ban), it is worse than nothing. Should we do something?
Of course. But it shouldn't just be
anything. Let's go with things that actually work.
Many of the well-intentioned proposals coming in response to the recent spike in mass shootings may do much to affect the level of violent crime that plagues our nation daily. We shouldn’t, however, expect such efforts to take a big bite out of crime in its most extreme form. Of course, taking a nibble out of the risk of mass murder, however small, would still be a worthy goal for the nation. However, those who have suggested that their plan for change will ensure that a crime such as the Sandy Hook massacre will never reoccur will be bitterly disappointed.
I'm actually just going to leave that right there. No response needed from me.
Eliminating the risk of mass murder would involve extreme steps that we are unable or unwilling to take—abolishing the Second Amendment, achieving full employment, restoring our sense of community, and rounding up anyone who looks or acts at all suspicious. Mass murder just may be a price we must pay for living in a society where personal freedom is so highly valued.
I find it sad that "full employment" and "restoring our sense of community" are both listed as steps we are unable/unwilling to take.
The discussion below should be interesting.