Sarah, Tim, and Amanda discuss the prospects for meaningful gun reform in the aftermath of the Uvalde and Buffalo mass shootings. To listen to a podcast version, click here.
This was both therapeutic and helpful in thinking about what exactly I would like to see done. I am like Tim and was at another school just a few miles from Columbine - it is truly frustrating that we're still living this nightmare. Appreciate all you do, but gotta say, this one was really helpful with both feeling like others share the same rage but also in looking towards solutions.
Politifact "A large-scale RAND study found that 26% of mass public shooters between 1976 and 2018 were younger than age 25. Another study from the University of Alabama found that 27.2% were younger than 25, and that 6.8% were younger than 18."
May as well have listened to Ted Cruz. Does everyone think a 21-year-old won't walk into a school, church, or grocery store with an AR-15? It's the guns, not the age or mental health issues that are almost always unknown or downplayed prior to an assault. The gun manufacturer uses children holding these guns in their ads. There is only one thing that will solve this. But continue to fret about how to tell your children and thinking you'll have relief when someone changes age requirements.
18 year old gunman. Salvador Ramos, was 18. He had no prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain responsible for judgment and responsibility. A lot of us don't develop that part of the brain until we are at least 21 years of age. Or more. That's one issue.
Another is his prior history of combative behavior and referral for psychiatric or psychological intervention. Obviously, that didn't work.
What if we, collectively, decided to create a database holding information about angry young males referred for psychiatric intervention. In addition, suppose we connect that database to all the gun shops in America and inform all owners of Federal Firearm Licenses that persons on this list may not own firearms. Meaning, you can't sell to this guy. The same restrictions would apply to gun shows.
What if red flag laws were enacted in every state. Angry young men demonstrating violent tendencies would be identified and prevented from purchasing firearms. AR15's, handguns, muskets, you name it.
Would that help?
I happen to be a gun owner and believe that law abiding citizens should be allowed to possess firearms, but this is insane.
How did we arrive at the current state of 2nd amendment jurisprudence, after no less than a former Chief Justice, Warren Burger, a Republican and conservative, observed that the 2nd Amend has been the subject of one of the greatest pieces of fraud (his word) on the American public in his lifetime? Is this fixable?
Bulwark punditry on the National Review retreat from democracy is always fascinating. Any backstories you have would be delicious. Also, where would you put Rich Lowry on a sliding scale of NatCons?
I hope our anemic media will take note of those reporters who continue to demand answers.. ie Ted Cruz: What is so wrong about background checks? Why do you not see that guns are the problem..ie why is this only happening in America?
Motivating voters to demand action on gun violence: what about open-casket funerals for school children killed in mass shootings (à la Emmet Till)? Horrifying, of course, but isn’t that the point?
Can y'all talk about the feasibility of banning body armor? I see no use for private citizens to bury or own body armor. If it's necessary for a job, then the employer must be the owner and keep that under lock and key.
I hope the discussion could keep an open mind that this is a situation that could be improved over time. Really tired of the "experts" telling us this is never going to change. Folks with that mindset need to get out of the way. America is a nation of can-do problem solvers. We just need to focus and find a way to get our laws in line with what the VAST MAJORITY of voters want. Thx for listening
Even the Bulwark is getting simplistic about solutions. We have to focus on the problem, keeping guns out or the hands of deranged angry killers. It will take a combination of carefully drawn red flag laws, raising the age to buy long guns to 21 (same as handguns) and a lot more attention to the mental health needs of our children. Ending the sale of one type of firearm is a non-starter and it only shifts the misuse to more powerful but "safer" looking hunting rifles. The more the gun lobby/Republicans get demonized the better their chances of sweeping victories in November.
I think that giving images of the dead bodies to the media is horrendous, but I think it would change the public’s mind on gun control. Please discuss.
What's the Venn diagram for right to lifers and the pro 2nd people? Nearly a perfect circle? The same people who moved heaven and earth to get Roe and Casey overturned, to protect babies while they're still inside the mom, but want guns everywhere, and so what if kids die? I can only hope voters will call them out on their hypocrisy in November
This was both therapeutic and helpful in thinking about what exactly I would like to see done. I am like Tim and was at another school just a few miles from Columbine - it is truly frustrating that we're still living this nightmare. Appreciate all you do, but gotta say, this one was really helpful with both feeling like others share the same rage but also in looking towards solutions.
Politifact "A large-scale RAND study found that 26% of mass public shooters between 1976 and 2018 were younger than age 25. Another study from the University of Alabama found that 27.2% were younger than 25, and that 6.8% were younger than 18."
May as well have listened to Ted Cruz. Does everyone think a 21-year-old won't walk into a school, church, or grocery store with an AR-15? It's the guns, not the age or mental health issues that are almost always unknown or downplayed prior to an assault. The gun manufacturer uses children holding these guns in their ads. There is only one thing that will solve this. But continue to fret about how to tell your children and thinking you'll have relief when someone changes age requirements.
Sarah: "Joe Manchin could do something!"
I mean... do we really think that? I don't.
18 year old gunman. Salvador Ramos, was 18. He had no prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain responsible for judgment and responsibility. A lot of us don't develop that part of the brain until we are at least 21 years of age. Or more. That's one issue.
Another is his prior history of combative behavior and referral for psychiatric or psychological intervention. Obviously, that didn't work.
What if we, collectively, decided to create a database holding information about angry young males referred for psychiatric intervention. In addition, suppose we connect that database to all the gun shops in America and inform all owners of Federal Firearm Licenses that persons on this list may not own firearms. Meaning, you can't sell to this guy. The same restrictions would apply to gun shows.
What if red flag laws were enacted in every state. Angry young men demonstrating violent tendencies would be identified and prevented from purchasing firearms. AR15's, handguns, muskets, you name it.
Would that help?
I happen to be a gun owner and believe that law abiding citizens should be allowed to possess firearms, but this is insane.
How did we arrive at the current state of 2nd amendment jurisprudence, after no less than a former Chief Justice, Warren Burger, a Republican and conservative, observed that the 2nd Amend has been the subject of one of the greatest pieces of fraud (his word) on the American public in his lifetime? Is this fixable?
Bulwark punditry on the National Review retreat from democracy is always fascinating. Any backstories you have would be delicious. Also, where would you put Rich Lowry on a sliding scale of NatCons?
I hope our anemic media will take note of those reporters who continue to demand answers.. ie Ted Cruz: What is so wrong about background checks? Why do you not see that guns are the problem..ie why is this only happening in America?
Motivating voters to demand action on gun violence: what about open-casket funerals for school children killed in mass shootings (à la Emmet Till)? Horrifying, of course, but isn’t that the point?
Do you honestly think there will be gun reform? What would be better is outlawing advertising guns as they did with cigarettes.
Can y'all talk about the feasibility of banning body armor? I see no use for private citizens to bury or own body armor. If it's necessary for a job, then the employer must be the owner and keep that under lock and key.
I hope the discussion could keep an open mind that this is a situation that could be improved over time. Really tired of the "experts" telling us this is never going to change. Folks with that mindset need to get out of the way. America is a nation of can-do problem solvers. We just need to focus and find a way to get our laws in line with what the VAST MAJORITY of voters want. Thx for listening
Even the Bulwark is getting simplistic about solutions. We have to focus on the problem, keeping guns out or the hands of deranged angry killers. It will take a combination of carefully drawn red flag laws, raising the age to buy long guns to 21 (same as handguns) and a lot more attention to the mental health needs of our children. Ending the sale of one type of firearm is a non-starter and it only shifts the misuse to more powerful but "safer" looking hunting rifles. The more the gun lobby/Republicans get demonized the better their chances of sweeping victories in November.
I think that giving images of the dead bodies to the media is horrendous, but I think it would change the public’s mind on gun control. Please discuss.
Please talk about Jim’s piece today about guns. Its excellent. Or invite him to join you. We dont see him enough. Thx
What's the Venn diagram for right to lifers and the pro 2nd people? Nearly a perfect circle? The same people who moved heaven and earth to get Roe and Casey overturned, to protect babies while they're still inside the mom, but want guns everywhere, and so what if kids die? I can only hope voters will call them out on their hypocrisy in November