These stats are interesting in that the only thing being considered is the number of "weapons" that are available. There is no social commentary regarding what has led a country which has historically always had an armed citizenry to a societal place in which the willingness of people to engage in senseless violence has increased among the general populace. It would be interesting to compare these stats to a timeline in American history of the kinds of violence, by whom, to whom, etc. My father-n-law worked in the school system in New York City in the 1950's. He said the schools used to have gun ranges in the basement where the students were taught how to handle long rifles (I guess a society having just gone through a world war might feel that something like that was necessary) however there were no metal detectors on the doors and they did not have students killing each other in random shootings. I believe this analysis must go much deeper than merely how many people own guns.
Interesting discussion, thank you. Though I think easy access to guns makes it intolerably easy to act on violent impulses, I agree that we also have to consider the social and cultural factors behind said violence.
These stats are interesting in that the only thing being considered is the number of "weapons" that are available. There is no social commentary regarding what has led a country which has historically always had an armed citizenry to a societal place in which the willingness of people to engage in senseless violence has increased among the general populace. It would be interesting to compare these stats to a timeline in American history of the kinds of violence, by whom, to whom, etc. My father-n-law worked in the school system in New York City in the 1950's. He said the schools used to have gun ranges in the basement where the students were taught how to handle long rifles (I guess a society having just gone through a world war might feel that something like that was necessary) however there were no metal detectors on the doors and they did not have students killing each other in random shootings. I believe this analysis must go much deeper than merely how many people own guns.
Interesting discussion, thank you. Though I think easy access to guns makes it intolerably easy to act on violent impulses, I agree that we also have to consider the social and cultural factors behind said violence.