A week ago, there was a shooting in Sacramento, leaving 6 people dead and 12 injured. Here was President Biden: "Today, America once again mourns for another community devastated by gun violence...But we must do more than mourn; we must act. That is why my Administration has taken historic executive action to implement my comprehensive gun crime reduction strategy..." His strategy includes banning ghost guns (made from a kit or parts), banning "assault" weapons, requiring background checks on all gun sales, and repealing gun manufacturers' immunity from liability.
I wish that Biden was mourning the existence of bad guys, people who all too easily are willing to murder other people. And it seems to me that removing manufacturers' protections from liability is simply a backdoor way to put manufacturers out of business. Banning "assault" weapons is another way to ban all guns, because any gun can be considered an "assault" weapon. As for the AR-15, the AR does not mean "assault rifle." Rather, it is the manufacturer's name, Armalite, and then the word "rifle." Furthermore, almost all gun killings are done with a pistol. Will all pistols be banned?
I have no objection to background checks, if handled expeditiously. But, California for example, already requires background checks, with a few exceptions such as private sales and antique guns. Then there is the concern of what the government will do in terms of having a database of all gun owners. The biggest concern, it seems to me, are the 3-D printed guns. While they might be good for only a few firings, anyone with access to such a printer might be able to produce such a gun. "Ghost" guns may be more problematic to ban, because then the issue becomes one of banning the sale of all gun parts, arguably another way to limit gun ownership.
Here was California Governor Gavin Newsom: "Sadly, we once again mourn the lives lost and for those injured in yet another horrendous act of gun violence." Of course we mourn for the victims and their families and friends. Newsom: "The scourge of gun violence continues to be a crisis in our country, and we must resolve to bring an end to this carnage." Of course I would like to see an end to all murders and senseless killings. But the left always blames the instrument rather than the perpetrator. Is mental illness part of the problem? No doubt. But what about the scourge of criminality? What about the lack of decent values instilled in young people?
But here is a different take than that of our left-wing politicians. Recently, Israel has suffered a series of terrorist attacks. (See the companion post.) Fourteen people were killed in four different cities. Here was the Israeli Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett: "Citizens of Israel, we are currently experiencing a wave of murderous terrorism...What is expected of you, citizens of Israel? Alertness and responsibility. Open your eyes. Whoever has a license to carry a weapon, this is the time to carry it."
This is the time to carry your weapon. With good reason. It is not just the police or members of the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) who are able to kill murderers before even more people are shot dead by the perpetrators. Civilians have also been able to prevent more deaths by shooting and killing the perpetrator. Like here, police in Israel will confiscate a gun used by a civilian, for forensic purposes. Unlike here, there is apparently an expedited procedure to have a new handgun issued to that person. Also unlike here, there is little chance of a civilian being prosecuted for taking down a terrorist bad guy.
So, which approach is preferable? Try to eliminate guns, even though we know criminals will always find a way to get a gun. Use a gun in the US, even in self-defense or the defense of others, and there are any number of left-wing prosecutors who would prosecute the good guy. Or Israel's approach, all those licensed should carry their guns. Of course, the politicians and the elite here often have their armed security. But what about everyone else?
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