“America has a much bigger mental health problem than gun problem.“ Indubitably! But, many of the same people who now fervently wish to “BAN ASSAULT WEAPONS!” will also stand in the way of certain forms of mental health treatment, citing the “rights” of the mentally ill.
I must wonder if the tragic shooting in Buffalo would have been ameliorated if someone at Tops had been armed with a concealed carry firearm. Few people continue their rampages when victims return fire.
I heard an early report that the security guard fired on the shooter, but the shooter was wearing armor. Unconfirmed, but if there were indeed more armed citizens, he may have been taken down sooner.
The catch-22 for such things is that, when an armed citizen takes down a potential mass shooter, the shooting didn't happen and therefore no one notices.
Appreciate your "lessons" about guns Peter. This, and your previous series on guns, have been very informative. Thank you.
And absolutely agree we have a mental health problem in this country. I believe it started when state run mental institutions were shut down. But barring a serious change of view from our "progressive" state and congressional lawmakers I doubt those institutions will make a comeback. You know, because equity or something. And it would actually solve the problem they purport to fix
There are many activists defending the rights of the homeless to be homeless - no matter that, by some estimates, 2/3 are mentally ill. There is also an absolutist/puritan attitude in providing them shelters - they're not allowed to drink therein, at least in NYC - so they reject the help. Because, that drink is the only thing in their lives that makes them some modicum of happy, and they'd rather do that and work the streets as they do than dry out and sleep under a roof.
It's a very rough problem, in no small part because the defensive nature of all things public nowadays makes it impossible to give them leeway to shelter and drink or use their products. So, politicians spend OPM, and tut tut, and lament, and claim they're doing something, but without the hard choices, it's all for show.
Guns are inanimate, and gun owners are already "lost souls," so vilifying them is much easier.
“America has a much bigger mental health problem than gun problem.“ Indubitably! But, many of the same people who now fervently wish to “BAN ASSAULT WEAPONS!” will also stand in the way of certain forms of mental health treatment, citing the “rights” of the mentally ill.
I must wonder if the tragic shooting in Buffalo would have been ameliorated if someone at Tops had been armed with a concealed carry firearm. Few people continue their rampages when victims return fire.
I heard an early report that the security guard fired on the shooter, but the shooter was wearing armor. Unconfirmed, but if there were indeed more armed citizens, he may have been taken down sooner.
The catch-22 for such things is that, when an armed citizen takes down a potential mass shooter, the shooting didn't happen and therefore no one notices.
Appreciate your "lessons" about guns Peter. This, and your previous series on guns, have been very informative. Thank you.
And absolutely agree we have a mental health problem in this country. I believe it started when state run mental institutions were shut down. But barring a serious change of view from our "progressive" state and congressional lawmakers I doubt those institutions will make a comeback. You know, because equity or something. And it would actually solve the problem they purport to fix
There are many activists defending the rights of the homeless to be homeless - no matter that, by some estimates, 2/3 are mentally ill. There is also an absolutist/puritan attitude in providing them shelters - they're not allowed to drink therein, at least in NYC - so they reject the help. Because, that drink is the only thing in their lives that makes them some modicum of happy, and they'd rather do that and work the streets as they do than dry out and sleep under a roof.
It's a very rough problem, in no small part because the defensive nature of all things public nowadays makes it impossible to give them leeway to shelter and drink or use their products. So, politicians spend OPM, and tut tut, and lament, and claim they're doing something, but without the hard choices, it's all for show.
Guns are inanimate, and gun owners are already "lost souls," so vilifying them is much easier.
Great quotes. Here's my personal favorite:
“Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.” -P.J. O'Rourke
O'Rourke was a gem.