GUNS: Armed - and dangerous

We as a country face a quandary about guns and violence. It is often stated as “Guns don’t kill people. People kill people,”. . . and people are killing, in terrifying fashion. People kill people in schools, theaters, shopping malls, churches, offices, and restaurants. Suicidal shooters make everyone vulnerable in every setting.

The executive vice president of the NRA recently proclaimed, “The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is with a good guy with a gun.” In turn, many now feel school employees should be armed to make schools safe. Does this mean safety also will require employees to be armed at McDonald’s, Macy’s, cinemas, concerts, the Post Office, the Super Bowl, and Disneyland? (Don’t worry; Mickey and Goofy are packin’ heat.)

Since true safety from armed crazies can’t really be trusted to others, like law enforcement officers or trained guards, many states are adjusting laws so most people can carry firearms nearly everywhere. If everyone had a gun surely we would all be safer. But maybe arming citizens isn’t sufficient. To really feel safe, my gun better be more powerful and fire more rounds than the guns others might carry. Perhaps an open carry permit for an RPG is a step in the right direction. Really!? How can all of this end well for our communities?

Our society has so far accepted the proliferation of guns as a response to the fear of gun violence. In my view the escalation of weapons will just create a greater potential for violence. The ultimate example was played out in the cold war and is evident in the current concerns over more countries arming themselves with nuclear weapons. This all begs the question. Guns may not be the whole problem, but in what reality are guns not part of the gun violence problem?

GARY W. COFFMAN

Coeur d’Alene