Editorial Misses Some Key Facts

In writing for the Atlanta Journal Constitution Maureen Downey clearly has good intentions, but you know what they say about good intentions. Her editorial “Our children are under siege from guns and no one cares,” misses several points. She notes:

“In Britain, Australia and Canada, which have strict firearms laws, there are fewer than 350 gun-related murders combined each year.”

Is this a reliable fact? All three of these countries have far fewer gun-related murders, but populations that are far lower than the United States. The United States also has more drug related crime, but I don’t see Downey or others in the liberal media speaking out about this fact. Nor do I seem addressing the fact that it isn’t guns that are the root of crime, but rather than crime is the root of gun violence.

She also notes:

“Yes, most gun owners are sane people who don’t go on murderous rampages. Most drivers are sane, too, but that doesn’t stop states from requiring that they get licenses and register their cars.”

What she does not note is that most states do require firearms to be registered, with proper licenses obtained. There is even a “federal firearms license” that is required for those who regularly buy and sell guns, something that isn’t required to buy or sell cars.

Yes, it is a shame that anyone should die as a result of gun violence. But it is also a shame that anyone should die in a drug overdose, or be killed by a drunk driver. That doesn’t mean all drugs (not just the illegal variety) should be banned. Nor should we try the failed experiment of prohibition again… with alcohol or guns.