Gun control (or lack thereof)

Today I wonder how is it so easy to buy a weapon capable of injuring or killing so many in a blink of an eye? I myself have walked into a sporting goods store and within 30 minutes I was leaving with a .40 S&W semi-automatic pistol. While obviously I do not plan on using it to harm anyone, with the exception of personal protection of course, it did alarm me how easily a 21 year old could purchase such a deadly weapon without so much as a second glance. There were no proficiency exams, psychological evaluations, no serious background checks, just a polite man who was more than willing to help me in my purchase.

No doubt the majority of gun owners are not sociopaths and do not wish to use their weapons to cause senseless violence. But is that a good enough reason to keep our restrictions so loose on these weapons? The gun lobby in the U.S. is a very powerful group. Headed by the NRA they are constantly waving around their 2nd amendment rights. But if we stop for a minute and contemplate the 2nd amendment we may not feel the same about it. The Constitution was drafted in a very different time than our own. Their weapons were far less dangerous, proper use and training in the weapon was more common from an early age, actual threats to one's self and property were a real threat from foreign countries, and for many hunting was still a serious means of survival. None of these are really the case anymore. So why can't we at least revise and strengthen our gun laws?

If someone wants a gun THAT bad, they should be willing to wait a little longer, show a little more proficiency and knowledge with the weapon, and be willing to take any necessary tests to show that he or she can operate the weapon safely. As for handguns, I've always been torn on how we should regulate them. I personally own a handgun and I enjoy its recreational use. I operate safely, far away from other people, and only shooting at targets. But the fact still remains, handguns were made for one reason and one reason only. To kill people. We do not hunt with handguns. Their only designed purpose, from back in the old western days with their revolvers to now with the multitude of varieties of highly efficient weapons, is to kill men. Do we as Americans really feel so endangered as to make it so fast and easy to purchase a weapon regardless of the consequences? Its no coincidence that eastern countries such as Japan and China have some of the strongest gun laws and their gun deaths are counted in the single digits every year. Single digits. In some of the most populated places in the world. I think the answer is simple, people in America are too selfish, too paranoid, and refuse to acknowledge that the ways in which we leave are outdated in all the wrong ways.

America the beautiful?

For my first blog post I have decided to pose a question. While it may seem like a no-brainer for some, I think it should be evaluated on a much deeper level. Does America live up to its self appointed "greatest nation in the world" moniker? No doubt we (Americans) live in a prosperous country. Even in the most economically difficult time in any of our lifetimes the U.S. still maintains a standard of living far beyond what the majority of the world can experience. For this I am truly grateful, as should every person who has had the good fortune of being born into a wealthy, developed, democratic nation. But in 2011 America is still a bastion of hypocrites, religious and political intolerance, extreme socio-economic imbalance, prejudicial views that should have long been outdated, and inferior education amongst the masses. This is highlighted by the recent public outrage (or at least it should be) over highly inflammatory, even outright violent, remarks and implications made my politicians, talking heads, news outlets, and the like. One of our representatives was recently shot in the head by a would-be assailant along with many other innocent bystanders. As politicians begin the delicate dance of avoiding blame while still attempting to use the horrible situation for political leverage, I can't help but wonder....why are people who subtly incite violence tolerated in our society at all? Sarah Palin made very minor news with her list of 20 Democratic politicians whose views on healthcare reform were different than hers and whose names were accompanied by crosshairs. "Don't retreat, reload" she has cried many times as a slogan of sorts. Anyone who denies that the vast majority of this type of rhetoric is coming from the right is simply mistaken or lying. I could write a book about the "tea party" but I won't address it in this post. When atheist, agnostic, or otherwise non-believing groups post ads in Texas, Alabama, New Jersey, etc. there is public outrage by the religious organizations in the area. Are their views really so much better? So superior that others shouldn't be allowed to voice their beliefs, despite the fact that this right is what America was built on? Not to mention the fact that no one seems to care about these religious organizations wielding the incredible amount of power that they do. They directly and indirectly influence everyone's lives on a daily basis, even those like myself who do not practice any religion. All of this despite the fact they are allowed to exert this influence on a tax free basis. If a group can influence public policy shouldn't they also be held responsible for paying for the policies they so strongly advocate? I would love any comments/discussions on these or any related matters. Just keep it honest, intelligent, and classy.