Tuesday, December 8, 2015

ISIS vs. NRA

The brutal murders perpetrated by radicalized Muslims resulted in the American response of fear, increased gun purchases and reactions against all Muslims by the likes of Donald Trump.

But look at the reality. These radicalized Muslims are a very small proportion of all Muslims. The number of Americans killed in these terrorist attacks is noticeably below the number of Americans killed in American streets and homes by lone gunmen and gangs and in suicide and murder-suicide attempts. The odds are probably higher that and American could get killed by another American than by a radical Muslim.

ISIS and perverted ideology brainwashed those radicalized. But to me, the NRA has to accept culpability in the gun deaths of Americans. It has a long history of brainwashing under the guise of Second Amendment rights and of bullying and buying U.S. Congressmen.

Should anyone have an assault rifle so a few can use them recreationally? Should access to guns be unfettered so a few can plan and execute mass shootings? Do we really want the citizenry armed to prevent a military takeover of the government? Are we safer knowing ordinary and untrained citizens will jump into a gun battle to save us? Are our children safer in classrooms with armed teachers.

If we try to solve these complex problems by knee-jerk fear, we will only fail.

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