Time For Gun Control In America???

By Bob Resch. Purple Walrus Press.

The deadly massacre that just occurred at a church in Sutherland
Springs, Texas, that killed more than 26 and injured numerous others
is still ringing in the hearts and minds of Americans.

It's becoming the new normal.  Another heartbreaking headline ripping
across newspapers and our TV and computer screens.   Another Mass
Shooting.  What's the reason for all this mayhem and bloodshed?

I just read a recent article in the November 7th issue of the New York
Times by Max Fisher and Josh Keller that might offer some insight.

"The United States has 270 million guns and has had over 300 mass
shooting since 1982.  No other country has over 46 million guns or
more than 18 mass killings in their history. Most killings involve
guns, usually handguns that are legally obtained."   A New Yorker is
just as likely to be robbed as a Londoner but is 54 times more likely
to be shot and killed in the process.

Mother Jones reports that "More Americans have been shot to death in
the last 25 years than have died in every war."

These are startling statistics and one aggravating circumstance is THE
OVERWHELMING AVAILABILTY OF GUNS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC!

We've heard it a million times.  GUNS DON'T KILL.  PEOPLE KILL.  But
one thing is clear in the make up of the human species. We all have
breaking points.  Depression, Frustration, Love, Jealousy, Envy, are
just some of the emotional triggers that often times overrule common
sense, not to mention that AMERICA IS A VIOLENT PLACE.

The second Amendment of the Constitution is a contributing factor here
as it gives  "The right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not
be infringed".

The NRA will always make it's presence felt in every debate.  In 2016
more than half of the House of Representatives got money from gun
rights groups.   Let's face it, some people like to collect guns like
some people collect stamps.

Guns can be a hobby, or a means of protection, or a security blanket,
or a hunting tool.  But when a cool mind turns angry and vengeful, a
gun becomes a lethal weapon.

Maybe it's because Death comes easy in Hollywood. People of a certain
age, like myself,  grew up watching Western movies where gun play and
killing the bad guy was just a normal part of the story line.  The
modern day Movies are no different except there's far more blood
involved.

The debate over Gun Control will be debated for years to come.

Unfortunately, there are no easy answers.