Yes, But How Does It Work, Exactly?

[carbonelle]

I am one of those tiresome people who, when told about some amazing cure, whether it's an herbal supplement or waving a crystal over the general region of my internal plumbing, want to know just how and why I'm going to get better. Yes, there's no doubt a placebo effect, but I don't want to waste time and money (and potentially poison myself).

Comments

[ejmam]

But does a ban on assault weapons lead to a decreased number of massacres? Massacres aren't a big percentage of gun-related homicides, but they have a huge impact on society. I think it's worthwhile to work to decrease their number. That's a legitimate topic to discuss.

And I sure hope "shooting the Nazis" is never the first response to worrying that they will "come for the nice lesbian couple." Voting them out, or not voting them in, would be much preferable. I find most politicians much more worried about the votes than the guns of the voters.

[houseboatonstyx]

Massacres aren't a big percentage of gun-related homicides, but they have a huge impact on society. I think it's worthwhile to work to decrease their number.

Yes. And expanding the topic from 'school and theatre shootings' to 'all gun-related homicides' is not helpful.

[carbonelle]

Er. The set of "gun related homicides" does include school and other attempted mass-shootings that use, yanno, guns. So yes: applicable.

And to answer your question: yes: the number of massacres has also decreased where law-abiding gun owners are present. In fact, whenever a law-abiding gun owner with a concealed carry permit is present at an attempted mass-shooting, they stop it. The would-be mass-murder never manages to kill more than two or three persons (I include the would-be mass-murderer, though there are those who won't: one never learns until later whether the killer is an evil man, an Islamic zealot or just some poor insane schmuck who can't get the help he needs thanks to the wacky "nobody's insane! it's all A Plot" wing of the progressive party

[houseboatonstyx]

Massacres aren't a big percentage of gun-related homicides, but they have a huge impact on society.

If you mean school or theatre shootings etc, then you're definitely right. Elsewhere I've seen support from both sides for an approach of 'keep the most dangerous people from getting the most dangerous guns'.

We've been having some constructive discussion of that approach at http://milwaukeesfs.livejournal.com/230227.html

[houseboatonstyx]

PS. Here's some good data, from a pro-gun rightwing writer. Most of the school/theatre shooters have been males under 25, obvious losers in normal life, some under psychiatric treatment.

http://dailyanarchist.com/2012/07/31/auditing-shooting-rampage-statistics/