Yes. We should also be talking about how gun violence is impacting kids trying to go to school. A quick scan of the news shows countless schools closed on any given day for mourning following shootings or because there have been posted threats to the schools. Some of these closures go on for days. This should outrage anyone who claims to care about the nation’s children getting reliable in-person education.
My third grade experience, all I remember of that year was being frozen in fear with my uncle in Vietnam. Because I thought that a troop was many soldiers, and not just 'one' soldier, when my Dad would bring home the evening newspaper, with a headline "67 troops lost" -- to me that was multiplied to mean ~ 6700. I did not have the vocabulary to ask the question, so I shuddered in greater fear than was reality. I mention that because these kids don't have the emotional vocabulary yet to communicate, or communicate a needed question. My uncle returned the following summer, and that year is still a milestone in my life and I can go right back there and remember.
I believe every school should have a comfort-dog in residence to balance and add hope, love & empathy in this ongoing fear-based environment.
This is such a good point. Reminds me of the hostage taking and murders at the 1972 Munich Olympics. I was in first grade so could not make sense of the news. I was especially confused as to why there were gorillas (in fact, guerrillas) doing bad things there. But I remember the fear that was all around me, even though we were miles away from where the bad things were happening. Even now I can recall it. Kids should not have to experience this kind of fear and confusion first hand.
I'm glad your uncle came home. These deep-seated memories never leave us, though, do they?
Yes, interesting how we remember it and the confusion due to our lessened language development. Susan I sense your last sentence - summarizes is what mutually concerns us so. I also remember 'The Troubles' in N. Ireland and that terror from afar. The exponential growth of this, keeps us up at night to continue thinking, working/ messaging. For children we must.
Thank you, Ruth, for focusing on this topic. I, for one, am very close to losing hope about this issue. Not only are we not making laws to make it more difficult to get/carry firearms, the laws are going the other way! This country is an embarrassment. Every developed country in the world thinks we're nuts to allow private citizens to carry weapons. They're right. If our founding fathers knew what was going on, they would tell us "Hey, Congress, can't you read?? We said 'A well-regulated militia...' for a reason. That's why we made those the FIRST FOUR WORDS of the Second Amendment".
I heard of something in the UK called The Paupers Union or The Debtors Union. The Idea is that low income people could pool their collective purchasing power by steering their shopping habits away for anti labor businesses. I really liked the idea as well as the distinctly British humorous juxtaposition of concepts =] Im wondering if something like that might get US corporations attention. They probably would not be so keen on its customers developing the habit of making their own lattes or hitting up thrift stores on weekends instead of the mall! Great post Professor, as always =]
As pitiful as it is to realize, we MUST get the money out of our politics - away from our greedy politicians. If that can’t happen, then we get new politicians who will accept the gun violence insanity MUST STOP.
The Citizen's United case was a 5-4 decision. It is now clear Justice Thomas was bribed by a billionaire. Thomas voted for Citizens United. I wish there were a way to reverse bribed Supreme Court decisions. If so, we could get money out of our politics, Kathleen.
Great article Ruth, I had not thought of the economic/business angle towards gaining meaningful traction on gun control …..the current mass shooting epidemic is staggering !
It's tragic to think that this argument, rather than the loss of lives, specifically children (over and over again) will likely have better outcomes on the national stage. Sickening, but ...always about the money.
Unfortunately the inertia in the status quo over gun violence in America is because it has become "normalized" as a part of life in this country. And that is an unmitigated tragedy. I suppose the costs to businesses for security are seen as just another expense like paying for health insurance for its employees?
Mass shootings and carnage have become inbedded into the psyche of the country. Authoritarians and MAGA like it because it prepares the country to accept the use of gun violence as a means of achieving political goals.
"Thoughts and prayers" is a typical response from NRA politicians like Ted Cruz. We have to understand that no change will occur no matter how high the body count unless extremest Republican politicians like him are voted out of office and replaced with Democrats who will vote to pass meaningful gun legislation that includes assault rifle bans.
When we see the aftermath of a mass shooting, notice the response? Easily more than 100, maybe 1,000 police ( city, county, state, FBI, EMS, SWAT, counselors, etc)...It is as if entire cities and counties rush all their resources: officers, vehicles, and equipment to the school, mall, synagogue, church, etc. What does the response cost us tax payers in dollars? Shouldn't that be part of the economic equation? And then what is the cost of the associated collective trauma of the shooting to the communities and public servants where they occur? How could one even measure that?
4,000 is the number I guesstimate between mall shoppers, neighbors, friends of the family and their friends, corporate colleagues, hospital workers, EMS, funeral homes, restoration services. If we have already had 200 mass shootings that is = 800,000 people yet this year traumatized. Almost a million Americans traumatized. It's close to 1 out of .... ? Medical insurance and mental health costs. The medical insurance companies must really be affected.
Not an argument that I personally need to hear, but excellent fodder to use when making arguments to those apparently otherwise unmoved. And an excellent demonstration of how we’ll need to find new arguments/avenues if we are going to get anywhere on this issue - the current situation is only worsening.
Elected Republican politicians are either out of touch, or just plain ignoring the desires of their constituents. A majority of both Democrats and Republicans want assault weapons banned, but that desire is falling on deaf Republican ears. In 2024 (even starting right now), it needs to be made crystal clear that if the voters want common sense gun laws, the only way to make that happen is to vote out their Republican representatives. Shout it loud, and often.
David Pepper in his book, Laboratories of Autocracy, shows that many state lawmakers don't care about their constituents. They are in gerrymandered districts and have no fear of defeat; therefore, no need to work for the public interest. You are lucky that Michigan has overcome that issue lately.
Thanks for stating this, so I didn't have to :) . David K. Johnson said "rump" looks at people as objects, not people, it makes it much easier to ignore them this way. It appears autocrats don't give a damn about anyone but enriching themself. No wonder MM never allowed a democratic bill from the house to pass. He doesn't care about people other than the rich ones
An idea - not automatically using the word ‘elites’ to describe Republican fascist wannabes or the 1% or members of Congress. None of those categories fit the real definition of ‘elite’.
The people needing to ‘ hear’ this aren’t the targeted ones, nor are ‘their’ children, nor is ‘their ‘ pocketbook. The ‘theirs’ are the ones promoting the violence, taking the contributions from dark sources , pointing the fingers at our President, our policies, our solutions. They’re holding the American people in hostage , the people who 80%+ want the gun control, want the education/teachers/curriculum better, who now have doubts or trust the establishment because the establishment is corrupt. Not the whole mind you but the ones who talk the trash, implement the restrictions/gerrymander, take away our free choices under the false flags of righteousness, the ones who still think TFG won,and can’t see the slow methodical lies.
I forget too often to say thanks , Ruth. To all of you whose comments , writs, and efforts pave the way to winning . 2024 looms ever more quickly. It is an always battle against the oppressors, so stay the course compadres. We need every one of you.❤️
Economic impact. Gun industry is 80 billion a year in this country, with 19 billion profit in 2020. The industry is worth aprox 28 billion, as a whole. Lobbying spent 9.5 million in 2022. The industry employs 169,523, not including families. 16 million firearms were sold in 2022, alone. 45% of American households own at least one firearm. There are 81 million gun owners in this country. There are 434 million guns, along with a staggering amount of ammunition. 42 Senators and numerous in the House are rated as “C” or better with the NRA. I quit counting all the “Christian” Senators who take gun lobby money, but Ted Cruz doesn’t hold the record. The record actually goes to family man extraordinaire and Jesus loving Christian, Mitt Romney, at 13 million dollars.
1. End Citizens United.
2. Outlaw lobbying.
3. Bring back the Brady bill as a minimum.
4. Work local/state legislation.
5. End limits to firearm lawsuits and loopholes.
After we do all this, we can figure out how to get the 434 million guns off the street, as well as how to reclaim the buried ammunition. It would be easier to resurrect and elect Ross Perot as President. I don’t see any mass protests. I don’t see any boycotting. I don’t see a mass movement to demand divestment in 401k. I don’t see any of the 169,523 workers quitting.
I see liars, Christian political leaders and their lies. We have become a nation of baby killers. We sit in disgust at what people like Epstein did to children, while our nation murders them. Just so you know ahead of time, I will not answer any ignorant or hateful comments. We are hypocrites, in our comfort zone, as our children and all citizens die. We will reap what we sow.
Christianity in the US has undergone quite a schism in the past 20 years. On one hand we have the devoted Christians whom have embraced Calvinism/Dominionism, and side with a more authoritarian politics and all its bigotry. On the other hand we have devoted Christians that totally reject the authoritarianism that is seen in Dominionism and fascism. I know people in both camps; they are polar opposites in many ways. The Dominionists that I know have lost touch with reality.
I hear you Steve. However, only Cruz can claim insanity with the NAR, plus his daddy is the minister. 4 great monotheistic’s in the world: Islam, Judaism, Zoroastrian and Christianity. Gun lobby money taken: No Zoroastrian’s in Congress. No Muslims took money. Only 2 misguided Jews did, both from NY. Bernie stopped taking it years ago. That just leaves Christians, led by Mitt Romney. I follow God, Steve, and I would never join the NRA, or take gun lobby money. That would be against my Gods way. So logically, they must follow a different god than I. Moloch is the main god in the Bible that requires child sacrifice. If the behavior fits, so be it. I know you know the Bible, Steve, so I’ll end with this. 586 BC, King Zedekiah watched as Jerusalem was captured. He then watched his people be taken into slavery. He also watched as his sons were killed, before his eyes were gouged out and eventually killed. The Almighty does not appreciate child sacrifice. Zedekiah and Jerusalem was an example of a nations fall due to idolatry of its leaders, and complicity of its population. This behavior will only go on so long, Steve.
Thank you Professor Ruth for a look at the financial prism. Another interesting view, would be to take the $557B cost to the national economy and divide that by the 50 states, coming up with a cost, or in republicans' terms a 'tax' if you will, of $11B+ to each state's economy. This semantical view goes against republican policy of lowered taxes. States cannot afford this burden, and to some states this 'cost' is devastating to their balance sheets. We are in essence, defunding the states
Yes. We should also be talking about how gun violence is impacting kids trying to go to school. A quick scan of the news shows countless schools closed on any given day for mourning following shootings or because there have been posted threats to the schools. Some of these closures go on for days. This should outrage anyone who claims to care about the nation’s children getting reliable in-person education.
Yes that will be a separate essay!
My third grade experience, all I remember of that year was being frozen in fear with my uncle in Vietnam. Because I thought that a troop was many soldiers, and not just 'one' soldier, when my Dad would bring home the evening newspaper, with a headline "67 troops lost" -- to me that was multiplied to mean ~ 6700. I did not have the vocabulary to ask the question, so I shuddered in greater fear than was reality. I mention that because these kids don't have the emotional vocabulary yet to communicate, or communicate a needed question. My uncle returned the following summer, and that year is still a milestone in my life and I can go right back there and remember.
I believe every school should have a comfort-dog in residence to balance and add hope, love & empathy in this ongoing fear-based environment.
This is such a good point. Reminds me of the hostage taking and murders at the 1972 Munich Olympics. I was in first grade so could not make sense of the news. I was especially confused as to why there were gorillas (in fact, guerrillas) doing bad things there. But I remember the fear that was all around me, even though we were miles away from where the bad things were happening. Even now I can recall it. Kids should not have to experience this kind of fear and confusion first hand.
I'm glad your uncle came home. These deep-seated memories never leave us, though, do they?
Yes, interesting how we remember it and the confusion due to our lessened language development. Susan I sense your last sentence - summarizes is what mutually concerns us so. I also remember 'The Troubles' in N. Ireland and that terror from afar. The exponential growth of this, keeps us up at night to continue thinking, working/ messaging. For children we must.
Thank you, Ruth, for focusing on this topic. I, for one, am very close to losing hope about this issue. Not only are we not making laws to make it more difficult to get/carry firearms, the laws are going the other way! This country is an embarrassment. Every developed country in the world thinks we're nuts to allow private citizens to carry weapons. They're right. If our founding fathers knew what was going on, they would tell us "Hey, Congress, can't you read?? We said 'A well-regulated militia...' for a reason. That's why we made those the FIRST FOUR WORDS of the Second Amendment".
I heard of something in the UK called The Paupers Union or The Debtors Union. The Idea is that low income people could pool their collective purchasing power by steering their shopping habits away for anti labor businesses. I really liked the idea as well as the distinctly British humorous juxtaposition of concepts =] Im wondering if something like that might get US corporations attention. They probably would not be so keen on its customers developing the habit of making their own lattes or hitting up thrift stores on weekends instead of the mall! Great post Professor, as always =]
As pitiful as it is to realize, we MUST get the money out of our politics - away from our greedy politicians. If that can’t happen, then we get new politicians who will accept the gun violence insanity MUST STOP.
The Citizen's United case was a 5-4 decision. It is now clear Justice Thomas was bribed by a billionaire. Thomas voted for Citizens United. I wish there were a way to reverse bribed Supreme Court decisions. If so, we could get money out of our politics, Kathleen.
Ranked choice voting!
Great article Ruth, I had not thought of the economic/business angle towards gaining meaningful traction on gun control …..the current mass shooting epidemic is staggering !
American businesses could also do the obvious - stop funding Republican politicians.
Yes but many executives are Republican so appealing to them via the bottom line might work better
It's tragic to think that this argument, rather than the loss of lives, specifically children (over and over again) will likely have better outcomes on the national stage. Sickening, but ...always about the money.
Unfortunately the inertia in the status quo over gun violence in America is because it has become "normalized" as a part of life in this country. And that is an unmitigated tragedy. I suppose the costs to businesses for security are seen as just another expense like paying for health insurance for its employees?
Mass shootings and carnage have become inbedded into the psyche of the country. Authoritarians and MAGA like it because it prepares the country to accept the use of gun violence as a means of achieving political goals.
"Thoughts and prayers" is a typical response from NRA politicians like Ted Cruz. We have to understand that no change will occur no matter how high the body count unless extremest Republican politicians like him are voted out of office and replaced with Democrats who will vote to pass meaningful gun legislation that includes assault rifle bans.
Jim Hines had it and years ago walked out when prayers were said AGAIN after another massacre.
Yes. 100%!
When we see the aftermath of a mass shooting, notice the response? Easily more than 100, maybe 1,000 police ( city, county, state, FBI, EMS, SWAT, counselors, etc)...It is as if entire cities and counties rush all their resources: officers, vehicles, and equipment to the school, mall, synagogue, church, etc. What does the response cost us tax payers in dollars? Shouldn't that be part of the economic equation? And then what is the cost of the associated collective trauma of the shooting to the communities and public servants where they occur? How could one even measure that?
4,000 is the number I guesstimate between mall shoppers, neighbors, friends of the family and their friends, corporate colleagues, hospital workers, EMS, funeral homes, restoration services. If we have already had 200 mass shootings that is = 800,000 people yet this year traumatized. Almost a million Americans traumatized. It's close to 1 out of .... ? Medical insurance and mental health costs. The medical insurance companies must really be affected.
Thank you for another timely piece.
Not an argument that I personally need to hear, but excellent fodder to use when making arguments to those apparently otherwise unmoved. And an excellent demonstration of how we’ll need to find new arguments/avenues if we are going to get anywhere on this issue - the current situation is only worsening.
Elected Republican politicians are either out of touch, or just plain ignoring the desires of their constituents. A majority of both Democrats and Republicans want assault weapons banned, but that desire is falling on deaf Republican ears. In 2024 (even starting right now), it needs to be made crystal clear that if the voters want common sense gun laws, the only way to make that happen is to vote out their Republican representatives. Shout it loud, and often.
David Pepper in his book, Laboratories of Autocracy, shows that many state lawmakers don't care about their constituents. They are in gerrymandered districts and have no fear of defeat; therefore, no need to work for the public interest. You are lucky that Michigan has overcome that issue lately.
Thanks for stating this, so I didn't have to :) . David K. Johnson said "rump" looks at people as objects, not people, it makes it much easier to ignore them this way. It appears autocrats don't give a damn about anyone but enriching themself. No wonder MM never allowed a democratic bill from the house to pass. He doesn't care about people other than the rich ones
An idea - not automatically using the word ‘elites’ to describe Republican fascist wannabes or the 1% or members of Congress. None of those categories fit the real definition of ‘elite’.
The people needing to ‘ hear’ this aren’t the targeted ones, nor are ‘their’ children, nor is ‘their ‘ pocketbook. The ‘theirs’ are the ones promoting the violence, taking the contributions from dark sources , pointing the fingers at our President, our policies, our solutions. They’re holding the American people in hostage , the people who 80%+ want the gun control, want the education/teachers/curriculum better, who now have doubts or trust the establishment because the establishment is corrupt. Not the whole mind you but the ones who talk the trash, implement the restrictions/gerrymander, take away our free choices under the false flags of righteousness, the ones who still think TFG won,and can’t see the slow methodical lies.
It’s an insidiously controlled bandwagon .
💙VOTE💙
I forget too often to say thanks , Ruth. To all of you whose comments , writs, and efforts pave the way to winning . 2024 looms ever more quickly. It is an always battle against the oppressors, so stay the course compadres. We need every one of you.❤️
Economic impact. Gun industry is 80 billion a year in this country, with 19 billion profit in 2020. The industry is worth aprox 28 billion, as a whole. Lobbying spent 9.5 million in 2022. The industry employs 169,523, not including families. 16 million firearms were sold in 2022, alone. 45% of American households own at least one firearm. There are 81 million gun owners in this country. There are 434 million guns, along with a staggering amount of ammunition. 42 Senators and numerous in the House are rated as “C” or better with the NRA. I quit counting all the “Christian” Senators who take gun lobby money, but Ted Cruz doesn’t hold the record. The record actually goes to family man extraordinaire and Jesus loving Christian, Mitt Romney, at 13 million dollars.
1. End Citizens United.
2. Outlaw lobbying.
3. Bring back the Brady bill as a minimum.
4. Work local/state legislation.
5. End limits to firearm lawsuits and loopholes.
After we do all this, we can figure out how to get the 434 million guns off the street, as well as how to reclaim the buried ammunition. It would be easier to resurrect and elect Ross Perot as President. I don’t see any mass protests. I don’t see any boycotting. I don’t see a mass movement to demand divestment in 401k. I don’t see any of the 169,523 workers quitting.
I see liars, Christian political leaders and their lies. We have become a nation of baby killers. We sit in disgust at what people like Epstein did to children, while our nation murders them. Just so you know ahead of time, I will not answer any ignorant or hateful comments. We are hypocrites, in our comfort zone, as our children and all citizens die. We will reap what we sow.
Christianity in the US has undergone quite a schism in the past 20 years. On one hand we have the devoted Christians whom have embraced Calvinism/Dominionism, and side with a more authoritarian politics and all its bigotry. On the other hand we have devoted Christians that totally reject the authoritarianism that is seen in Dominionism and fascism. I know people in both camps; they are polar opposites in many ways. The Dominionists that I know have lost touch with reality.
I hear you Steve. However, only Cruz can claim insanity with the NAR, plus his daddy is the minister. 4 great monotheistic’s in the world: Islam, Judaism, Zoroastrian and Christianity. Gun lobby money taken: No Zoroastrian’s in Congress. No Muslims took money. Only 2 misguided Jews did, both from NY. Bernie stopped taking it years ago. That just leaves Christians, led by Mitt Romney. I follow God, Steve, and I would never join the NRA, or take gun lobby money. That would be against my Gods way. So logically, they must follow a different god than I. Moloch is the main god in the Bible that requires child sacrifice. If the behavior fits, so be it. I know you know the Bible, Steve, so I’ll end with this. 586 BC, King Zedekiah watched as Jerusalem was captured. He then watched his people be taken into slavery. He also watched as his sons were killed, before his eyes were gouged out and eventually killed. The Almighty does not appreciate child sacrifice. Zedekiah and Jerusalem was an example of a nations fall due to idolatry of its leaders, and complicity of its population. This behavior will only go on so long, Steve.
Thank you Professor Ruth for a look at the financial prism. Another interesting view, would be to take the $557B cost to the national economy and divide that by the 50 states, coming up with a cost, or in republicans' terms a 'tax' if you will, of $11B+ to each state's economy. This semantical view goes against republican policy of lowered taxes. States cannot afford this burden, and to some states this 'cost' is devastating to their balance sheets. We are in essence, defunding the states
of their businesses' growth potentials.