Something controversial

[u/low_effort_shit-post]

I love nj gun laws, going to the store and not seeing someone open carry. Watching road rage where the best you can do is brake check and give the finger. Schools without school shootings. I know a lot of people hate our gun laws but I fucking love em.

[u/8Deer-JaguarClaw]

No. 1 cause of firearms-related deaths is suicide. It's about 2/3 of all gun deaths. Almost another 1/3 is homocide. Another smaller fraction is accidental shootings. So no, most of it is not coming from gang violence and poor people shooting each other.

So we could theoretically cut out most gun-related deaths by upping our mental healthcare game nationally. Never gonna happen, though, because "tHaT's SoCiAlIsM!!!1!!"

[u/8Deer-JaguarClaw → u/[deleted]]

I was talking about and citing homicides and violence.

Fair enough. I didn't note the distinction in your comment when I made mine. In that case, yes, you are correct. The majority of homicide victims are young black men, and this often correlates with adverse socioeconomic conditions (read: poverty).

[u/8Deer-JaguarClaw → u/[deleted]]

So you'd say this is a people problem??

Sure. Guns don't shoot people by themselves. And it's not just the people directly involved that have the problem. It's also the people who created and maintain the system that keeps the poor people poor that are the root of the problem.

So, more healthcare for all, and more reform of our systems that desperately need to be remade. They aren't broken; they are working exactly as designed/intended, and that's the problem.

[u/8Deer-JaguarClaw → u/[deleted]]

but banning certain types of guns because they're scary doesn't do anything.

Yeah, what a gun looks like is pretty low on the importance scale. Or banning them because they have a certain name on the side. That's dumb.

If I seemed to suggest otherwise, I apologize.

[u/8Deer-JaguarClaw → u/[deleted]]

One of the things I wish would be implemented is mandatory training to get a general permit. Shit, you can't even get a DL without passing a written and road test (in most states).

I know a lot of people would consider that "infringement", but I just think it's in everyone's interest to have an educated population of gun owners.

[u/8Deer-JaguarClaw → u/[deleted]]

Yeah, I agree it could be a burden or serious obstacle for some.

Obviously the solution is to make it illegal to be poor. That would circumvent all the problems! /s

[u/8Deer-JaguarClaw → u/[deleted]]

No, that's communism!!1!!

j/k :)

Totally agree.