The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Liberalism, Conservatism, and the Second Amendment

**44 AMP** · November 25, 2009, 04:11 PM

Welcome to TFL, Flightline!

The issue is both complex, and simple at the same time. Complex, because humans are involved, and simple sweeping generalities are always subject to exceptions, sometimes large ones. And simple, because, when reduced to its most basic facts, it is a simple question. Either you believe an inanimate object has the power to control human behavior, or you don't.

However, we seldom reduce it down to this, preferring much more complex arguments. I believe guns do not cause violence. That they can be an amplifying factor is beyond doubt, but they are not the root cause. The root cause is man.

Vikings, Huns, Romans, and others beyond count, for thousands of years, raped, robbed, and murdered, all without a single gun being used. Somehow, in light of human history, the argument that guns cause violence seems to fall rather short.

If you look at the actual history of the US "old west" (and not the Hollywood version) you will see that while guns were very common, actual shootings were not. Statistically, you are safer in the Wild West then, than you are in any major metro area today. It is a matter of mindset, or worldview, if you will.

In those days, people were both able, and willing to defend themselves, and no social stigma was attached to them when they did so. Not the case today, for a variety of reasons.

November 25, 2009, 04:11 PM	#20
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,818	Since nobody else bothered... Welcome to TFL, Flightline! The issue is both complex, and simple at the same time. Complex, because humans are involved, and simple sweeping generalities are always subject to exceptions, sometimes large ones. And simple, because, when reduced to its most basic facts, it is a simple question. Either you believe an inanimate object has the power to control human behavior, or you don't. However, we seldom reduce it down to this, preferring much more complex arguments. I believe guns do not cause violence. That they can be an amplifying factor is beyond doubt, but they are not the root cause. The root cause is man. Vikings, Huns, Romans, and others beyond count, for thousands of years, raped, robbed, and murdered, all without a single gun being used. Somehow, in light of human history, the argument that guns cause violence seems to fall rather short. If you look at the actual history of the US "old west" (and not the Hollywood version) you will see that while guns were very common, actual shootings were not. Statistically, you are safer in the Wild West then, than you are in any major metro area today. It is a matter of mindset, or worldview, if you will. In those days, people were both able, and willing to defend themselves, and no social stigma was attached to them when they did so. Not the case today, for a variety of reasons. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.