Gun Control and Mass Murder

Have philosophical discussions about politics, law, and government.
Featured Article: Definition of Freedom - What Freedom Means to Me
Post Reply
GE Morton
Posts: 4696
Joined: February 1st, 2017, 1:06 am

Re: Gun Control and Mass Murder

Post by GE Morton »

Greta,

Here's a 2006 article from a Sydney newspaper:

https://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/stu ... 88302.html
User avatar
Sy Borg
Site Admin
Posts: 14992
Joined: December 16th, 2013, 9:05 pm

Re: Gun Control and Mass Murder

Post by Sy Borg »

Basically, you refuse to face the problem of school massacres squarely, reducing the issue to numbers. The US's morale and unity is being eroded further with every massacre.

Meanwhile, you want to claim that Australia would not have more gun massacres if it adopted the US approach, ignoring the growing divisions in Australian society in that period, plus a multitude of migrants making its population the fastest growing in the western world. That murders and suicides did not rise in that period is remarkable and seemingly a glowing testimony to by far John Howard's best moment as leader.

Meanwhile, the US is sick - you can claim ad hominem until you are blue in the face and it's still not anything like an ad hominem. The US is obviously a fading empire, just as other dominant nations have fallen from lofty peaks through hubris and internal divisions throughout history. That isn't any kind of ad hominem either (best to use the terms appropriately rather than splash them around meaninglessly for manipulative rhetorical effect).
GE Morton
Posts: 4696
Joined: February 1st, 2017, 1:06 am

Re: Gun Control and Mass Murder

Post by GE Morton »

Greta wrote: March 25th, 2018, 9:48 pm Basically, you refuse to face the problem of school massacres squarely, reducing the issue to numbers. The US's morale and unity is being eroded further with every massacre.
Greta, reducing the issue to numbers is precisely how you "face the problem squarely." Without the numbers you have no means of assessing the effectiveness of any proposed policy.

But perhaps, in light of the second sentence there, you're arguing that the US should "do something," even if the something will be ineffective, in order to assuage public grief and angst and placate well-meaning but ignorant rabble-rousers. I.e., submit to mob rule. Well, that is what a republican form of government and an independent judiciary were designed to prevent.

As for unity, there is no unity in the US, and there never has been. That is an illusory goal and a wrong-headed one. A unified society is a stagnant one. Disagreements, tensions, competition, distrust, rivalries, animosities are the drivers of dynamism.
Meanwhile, you want to claim that Australia would not have more gun massacres if it adopted the US approach . . .
That is not what I am claiming. That is what the studies are showing.
Meanwhile, the US is sick - you can claim ad hominem until you are blue in the face and it's still not anything like an ad hominem. The US is obviously a fading empire, just as other dominant nations have fallen from lofty peaks through hubris and internal divisions throughout history.
*Sigh*
User avatar
Sy Borg
Site Admin
Posts: 14992
Joined: December 16th, 2013, 9:05 pm

Re: Gun Control and Mass Murder

Post by Sy Borg »

GE Morton wrote: March 26th, 2018, 11:32 am
Greta wrote: March 25th, 2018, 9:48 pmBasically, you refuse to face the problem of school massacres squarely, reducing the issue to numbers. The US's morale and unity is being eroded further with every massacre.
Greta, reducing the issue to numbers is precisely how you "face the problem squarely." Without the numbers you have no means of assessing the effectiveness of any proposed policy.
I'm sure that approach works well when, say, your house is on fire. Do the numbers and work out the rate of burn for each item, then maybe catalogue the carpet just before it burns ...

There is an obvious problem with an obvious answer here, but it's prevented from happening by corrupt vested interests and misguided zealots who are effectively puppets of cunningly arms companies.
GE Morton wrote:
Meanwhile, you want to claim that Australia would not have more gun massacres if it adopted the US approach . . .
That is not what I am claiming. That is what the studies are showing.
Studies don't "show" anything. They provide information. You ignored some of the most critical information - societal discord and rapid population growth, as noted above. Why did you ignore it? Convenience?
GE Morton wrote:
Meanwhile, the US is sick - you can claim ad hominem until you are blue in the face and it's still not anything like an ad hominem. The US is obviously a fading empire, just as other dominant nations have fallen from lofty peaks through hubris and internal divisions throughout history.
*Sigh*
Hard truths tend not to be well accepted. All great dynasties fall, and it's internal sickness and hubris that causes those falls. America will not be the only great power in history to avoid decline. Just accept it, GE, and then you can do something about it.

It's the denial that prevents the US from doing something to at least alleviate the effects of their fall.
GE Morton
Posts: 4696
Joined: February 1st, 2017, 1:06 am

Re: Gun Control and Mass Murder

Post by GE Morton »

Greta wrote: March 26th, 2018, 3:59 pm
I'm sure that approach works well when, say, your house is on fire. Do the numbers and work out the rate of burn for each item, then maybe catalogue the carpet just before it burns ...
Yes, it does. Because someone did the numbers there is a fire station about 8 blocks away. And because I did the numbers I have fire insurance.
Hard truths tend not to be well accepted. All great dynasties fall, and it's internal sickness and hubris that causes those falls . . .
*Sigh*

It's clear that you have abandoned rational argument in favor of visceral but baseless certainty and ad hominems. A classic example of, "My mind's made up; don't confuse me with the facts."

Time to end this dialogue.
User avatar
Sy Borg
Site Admin
Posts: 14992
Joined: December 16th, 2013, 9:05 pm

Re: Gun Control and Mass Murder

Post by Sy Borg »

GE Morton wrote: March 27th, 2018, 1:05 pmIt's clear that you have abandoned rational argument in favor of visceral but baseless certainty and ad hominems. A classic example of, "My mind's made up; don't confuse me with the facts."

Time to end this dialogue.
You have essentially been claiming that lethality of rapid-fire weapons is not greater than any other, and you support your arguments with biased interpretation of statistics. So I could have said exactly what you said to me a number of posts ago - aside from your continued incorrect use of the term "ad hominem". I'm glad to pull the plug - seemingly never the twain shall meet.

You deny the one measure that could most immediately impact on the numbers of deaths during school massacres - working to get as many automatic weapons out of communities as possible. You at least agreed with screening with associated regulation to ensure that obviously unsuitable people don't have such easy access to weapons.
User avatar
Rederic
Posts: 589
Joined: May 30th, 2012, 8:26 am
Favorite Philosopher: Bertrand Russell
Location: South coast of England

Re: Gun Control and Mass Murder

Post by Rederic »

It seems that mass shootings have become so commonplace, that fewer and fewer people are outraged by them.

Are mass shootings becoming the new normal? Is there going to become a point when the shooting lobby say that enough is enough, something must be done?
Religion is at its best when it makes us ask hard questions of ourselves.
It is at its worst when it deludes us into thinking we have all the answers for everybody else.
Archibald Macleish.
User avatar
Sy Borg
Site Admin
Posts: 14992
Joined: December 16th, 2013, 9:05 pm

Re: Gun Control and Mass Murder

Post by Sy Borg »

Rederic wrote: May 21st, 2018, 7:26 am Are mass shootings becoming the new normal? Is there going to become a point when the shooting lobby say that enough is enough, something must be done?
Yes. I live in Australia but I used to be upset by the reports. Not any more. I instead just feel loathing for people trying to deflect by blaming these murders on abortions and video games when the obvious answer is the responsible regulation of lethal weapons.

A no brainer, one might think. However, the arms companies have the politicians in their pocket because the arms company shares are in the pockets of politicians' friends and allies.

Moral of the story: when constructing societies, note that whomever controls the energy, information and weapons controls the agenda. In hindsight, it would seem more logical and sustainable in terms of governance to leave energy, information and weapons with the people rather than feeding them off to foreign private interests for short term budgetary gain. PPPs at best.
GE Morton
Posts: 4696
Joined: February 1st, 2017, 1:06 am

Re: Gun Control and Mass Murder

Post by GE Morton »

Rederic wrote: May 21st, 2018, 7:26 am Is there going to become a point when the shooting lobby say that enough is enough, something must be done?
Everybody is saying, "Something must be done." The trouble is finding something to do that is both effective and constitutional.
User avatar
Sy Borg
Site Admin
Posts: 14992
Joined: December 16th, 2013, 9:05 pm

Re: Gun Control and Mass Murder

Post by Sy Borg »

Like regulation?
User avatar
LuckyR
Moderator
Posts: 7935
Joined: January 18th, 2015, 1:16 am

Re: Gun Control and Mass Murder

Post by LuckyR »

GE Morton wrote: May 21st, 2018, 8:47 pm
Rederic wrote: May 21st, 2018, 7:26 am Is there going to become a point when the shooting lobby say that enough is enough, something must be done?
Everybody is saying, "Something must be done." The trouble is finding something to do that is both effective and constitutional.
The problem is that some folks equate "effective" with preventing 100% of possible events, then smugly claim victory when they make up a scenario where the proposal wouldn't work. As if other possible laws or regulations on any other issue are held up to that sort of scrutiny.
"As usual... it depends."
GE Morton
Posts: 4696
Joined: February 1st, 2017, 1:06 am

Re: Gun Control and Mass Murder

Post by GE Morton »

LuckyR wrote: May 22nd, 2018, 2:23 am
The problem is that some folks equate "effective" with preventing 100% of possible events, then smugly claim victory when they make up a scenario where the proposal wouldn't work.
Who are these people? I know of no one who expects any measure to be 100% effective, or argues that they must be.

A petition drive has been launched in my state (Washington) to raise the minimum age for purchase of semi-auto rifles to 21 (from 18), and require completion of a firearms safety course and background checks before purchase of those weapons. This is another of those hand-waving exercises for allowing voters to think they're "doing something," but which will have no measurable effect on the problem
User avatar
LuckyR
Moderator
Posts: 7935
Joined: January 18th, 2015, 1:16 am

Re: Gun Control and Mass Murder

Post by LuckyR »

GE Morton wrote: May 22nd, 2018, 10:29 am
LuckyR wrote: May 22nd, 2018, 2:23 am
The problem is that some folks equate "effective" with preventing 100% of possible events, then smugly claim victory when they make up a scenario where the proposal wouldn't work.
Who are these people? I know of no one who expects any measure to be 100% effective, or argues that they must be.

A petition drive has been launched in my state (Washington) to raise the minimum age for purchase of semi-auto rifles to 21 (from 18), and require completion of a firearms safety course and background checks before purchase of those weapons. This is another of those hand-waving exercises for allowing voters to think they're "doing something," but which will have no measurable effect on the problem
Yes, I was exaggerating with the "100%" number, but I assume you are familiar with the cable news trick of modern "Whataboutism", especially it's use on the specific topic of gun control.

Hitting the video tab when you google "whataboutism gun control" gives >3500 clips.

As to the ineffectiveness of this or that gun control measure, you are right it won't eliminate all such events, but there is a clear correlation between states with more laws and lower gun death rates. Everyone knows the gun death rates in more regulated states isn't zero, but you said no one expects it to be.

https://www.safehome.org/wp-content/the ... s--A06.jpg
"As usual... it depends."
GE Morton
Posts: 4696
Joined: February 1st, 2017, 1:06 am

Re: Gun Control and Mass Murder

Post by GE Morton »

LuckyR wrote: May 22nd, 2018, 12:06 pm
As to the ineffectiveness of this or that gun control measure, you are right it won't eliminate all such events, but there is a clear correlation between states with more laws and lower gun death rates.
But it is not correlated with homicide rates. The correlation there is essentially zero.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/vol ... dd06393806

The Brady figures you cite are for all gun deaths, which includes suicides. And the actual correlation there is with the rate of gun ownership, not the state laws. If fewer households keep a gun in the house, guns will obviously be less likely to be used for suicides. The suicidal person will choose some different method. The state laws are relevant only to the extent they reduce the ownership rate.
User avatar
LuckyR
Moderator
Posts: 7935
Joined: January 18th, 2015, 1:16 am

Re: Gun Control and Mass Murder

Post by LuckyR »

GE Morton wrote: May 22nd, 2018, 2:23 pm
LuckyR wrote: May 22nd, 2018, 12:06 pm
As to the ineffectiveness of this or that gun control measure, you are right it won't eliminate all such events, but there is a clear correlation between states with more laws and lower gun death rates.
But it is not correlated with homicide rates. The correlation there is essentially zero.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/vol ... dd06393806

The Brady figures you cite are for all gun deaths, which includes suicides. And the actual correlation there is with the rate of gun ownership, not the state laws. If fewer households keep a gun in the house, guns will obviously be less likely to be used for suicides. The suicidal person will choose some different method. The state laws are relevant only to the extent they reduce the ownership rate.
"Yeah, but whatabout homicide rates separate from ownership rates?"

As you know some folks are lumpers and others are spliters. Some view deaths at school shootings separate from mall shootings from church shootings from robbery shootings from domestic violence shootings from accidental shootings from suicides by gun. Others lump them together into gun deaths. To me they are all tragedies that if decreased would be a victory, you are of course free to have a different perspective.

As to the idea that potential gun suicides are merely substituted (one for one) with other methods, the lethality of gun suicides vary from 65% for gunshot to abdomen (who does that?) to 98% (headshot, most common), whereas for non gun methods range from 6% (slit wrists, very common) to 97% for cyanide (rare).
"As usual... it depends."
Post Reply

Return to “Philosophy of Politics”

2023/2024 Philosophy Books of the Month

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise
by John K Danenbarger
January 2023

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul
by Mitzi Perdue
February 2023

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness
by Chet Shupe
March 2023

The Unfakeable Code®

The Unfakeable Code®
by Tony Jeton Selimi
April 2023

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are
by Alan Watts
May 2023

Killing Abel

Killing Abel
by Michael Tieman
June 2023

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead
by E. Alan Fleischauer
July 2023

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough
by Mark Unger
August 2023

Predictably Irrational

Predictably Irrational
by Dan Ariely
September 2023

Artwords

Artwords
by Beatriz M. Robles
November 2023

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope
by Dr. Randy Ross
December 2023

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes
by Ali Master
February 2024

2022 Philosophy Books of the Month

Emotional Intelligence At Work

Emotional Intelligence At Work
by Richard M Contino & Penelope J Holt
January 2022

Free Will, Do You Have It?

Free Will, Do You Have It?
by Albertus Kral
February 2022

My Enemy in Vietnam

My Enemy in Vietnam
by Billy Springer
March 2022

2X2 on the Ark

2X2 on the Ark
by Mary J Giuffra, PhD
April 2022

The Maestro Monologue

The Maestro Monologue
by Rob White
May 2022

What Makes America Great

What Makes America Great
by Bob Dowell
June 2022

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!
by Jerry Durr
July 2022

Living in Color

Living in Color
by Mike Murphy
August 2022 (tentative)

The Not So Great American Novel

The Not So Great American Novel
by James E Doucette
September 2022

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches
by John N. (Jake) Ferris
October 2022

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All
by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
November 2022

The Smartest Person in the Room: The Root Cause and New Solution for Cybersecurity

The Smartest Person in the Room
by Christian Espinosa
December 2022

2021 Philosophy Books of the Month

The Biblical Clock: The Untold Secrets Linking the Universe and Humanity with God's Plan

The Biblical Clock
by Daniel Friedmann
March 2021

Wilderness Cry: A Scientific and Philosophical Approach to Understanding God and the Universe

Wilderness Cry
by Dr. Hilary L Hunt M.D.
April 2021

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute: Tools To Spark Your Dream And Ignite Your Follow-Through

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute
by Jeff Meyer
May 2021

Surviving the Business of Healthcare: Knowledge is Power

Surviving the Business of Healthcare
by Barbara Galutia Regis M.S. PA-C
June 2021

Winning the War on Cancer: The Epic Journey Towards a Natural Cure

Winning the War on Cancer
by Sylvie Beljanski
July 2021

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream
by Dr Frank L Douglas
August 2021

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts
by Mark L. Wdowiak
September 2021

The Preppers Medical Handbook

The Preppers Medical Handbook
by Dr. William W Forgey M.D.
October 2021

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress: A Practical Guide

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress
by Dr. Gustavo Kinrys, MD
November 2021

Dream For Peace: An Ambassador Memoir

Dream For Peace
by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah
December 2021