Is gun violence a public health issue?

Edited to revise: Looking back at what I posted, I think I was pretty incoherent in what I was trying to say. Therefore, I'm going to try and start over.

I believe there's a disconnect, a disconnect that both pro-gun advocates and anti-gun advocates have when it comes to discussing the issue of gun violence.

I could be wrong, but I see pro-gun folks taking a somewhat defensive stance when the issue of gun violence is brought up at which point they tend to arguably go on the "offensive" and promote new legislation of their own. Invariably, the reaction seems to be one of they're trying to ban guns, they're trying to pass gun control laws that infringe on my rights, they're trying to penalize law abiding citizens, and on and on. And the legislation they propose to expand open/concealed carry laws, eliminate gun free zones, oppose legislation aimed at limiting domestic violence abusers and the mentally ill having access to guns goes directly to that premise.

I could also be wrong when I say that anti-gun folks seem to take an "offended" stance when the issue of gun violence is brought up - offended that pro-gun folks can't seem to understand where they're coming from, offended that pro-gun folks are so adamant in their refusal to even talk about what many consider to be sensible gun laws, and on and on at which point groups in this category start pushing for more legislation to limit, and therefore arguably infringe upon, the rights of law abiding gun owners to keep and bear arms by making it more difficult, if not impossible, to legally buy and keep guns at all.

And ne'er the twain shall meet.

Personally, I see all of these things being in need of discussion, not debate, discussion. The stakes are quite simply too high to ignore any longer.

Perhaps we should include gun safety right alongside gun violence when discussing whether either is, or both are, a public health issue. I don't believe gun violence and gun safety are mutually exclusive. Both would seem to me to be closely intertwined with the public health issue intent of the OP.

If both sides could find it within themselves to look at the broader picture of the impacts that gun violence and gun safety (or lack thereof) have on society, in general, we might be able to get somewhere. As your post clearly illustrated, SC, the long lasting effects, even of accidental shootings, is immense, both from psychological and economic perspectives. That, in and of itself, should be enough, IMO, that what we're talking about here translates into an issue to be addressed, and I believe it is, in fact, a public health issue.

Thanks for allowing me to ramble on.

A thought provoking message from a physician:

www.huffingtonpost.com/david-katz-md/gun...grief_b_6537844.html

Guns and grief are a bad combination.

I'd have to say yes, yes they are.

Interesting - from a Catch-22 perspective:

Question: Is the right to keep and bear arms based primarily in a perception that that specific right is critical to self-defense? Or is the right to keep and bear arms something broader?

I've been around guns all my life: My dad had several when we were growing up, mostly rifles used for hunting, but a couple times there were some handguns in the house.

We kids knew absolutely, without a doubt not ever, to touch those guns when he wasn't present and actually handing them to us.

When he said he'd blister our butts, but good, if he caught us or knew we so much as opened the closet they were in and showed our friends them, let alone handled one without his express permission, we knew he meant it.

He also taught us, and it mostly was angled towards my brother 'cuz he was the one most interested in the guns, to empty the weapon of ammo before the guns were taken inside the house and to sit down right away and clean them after use.

There were a lot of things we could get Papa to waffle on and we could wheedle him into or out of doing several of them, but gun control inside the house was a hard and fast rule.

When I entered the Air Force, then I had to handle a weapon at least once a year, sometimes more. Again, we were taught the correct procedures for handling a weapon and how to store it.

So, I learned at a young age and it was carried forward into my adulthood, a healthy respect of guns.

I believe something needs to be done about the violence that has become part and parcel of everyday living, but I do not believe that "better gun control" or more rules regarding guns or any laws passed for guns or weapons will help. I wholeheartedly believe that this nation has completely ignored the mental health aspect of this whole discussion.

I said that my sister's murder--I could call it a "death" or say that she was "killed": both are true, but she didn't just die nor was she killed--she was murdered, which is harsh and an ugly word and it really takes people aback when I say it. I've been asked by more than one person to "tone it down" and not use the word "murder" because it alienates people...so be it, let them be alienated. I'm speaking the truth and living in my world and if they choose to turn away because of the ugly truth...that is their problem. Anyways...I said that my sister's murder had an effect far and wide and still more than 36 plus years later affects people...I honestly do not know how many of the people it affected ever received counseling nor do I know how many people tried to cover the pain & anger with substances--I do know that two of my sister's living siblings are substance abusers and while I am not exactly sure, I believe a lot of that is because they are trying to ameliorate the pain.

So...while none of our immediate family used violence to deal with the pain...and thankfully, the substances abusers do not tend toward violence when they are inebriated...by covering it up and not talking openly about it, they have passed this unhealthiness on to their children, who because they don't know better and are doing what they were taught could likely pass it on to their children...and so on and so on.

OK...so where do "we" the people get funding for the Mental Health aspect of this? To make sure that people that have experienced traumas or tragedies get the help they absolutely need? Then, how do we make sure that no one who is in the throes of extreme grief can get their hands on a weapon to destroy anyone--and that could be a gun, a knife, a car, or poison? Who has the responsibility, when they see someone in pain and on a destructive path, to talk to that person and/or alert someone who has the authority to help?

Yes, gun violence is a public issue. And because it could affect the health of others, it is also a health issue. But, more than that...it is a PEOPLE issue. In my mind, we all, yes, I mean every single one of us, has the responsibility to our fellow man or woman to be aware of them and if we see something that alarms us, to act on it. Whether that is to invite the person to your home and cook a meal for them and listen to them or just to give them a hug and tell them you care. In my experience, a lot of times the authorities either do not want to get involved or if they get involved, will take extreme measures that aren't needed and that will make things worse.

Then the next question comes to mind: Who will provide the money or funds to provide this type of care for those that are in need?

So, in the meantime, we've got angry and scared kids who grow into angry and scared adults who try to damp down their fear and pain with substances or other things (sex, cutting, etc.) who create more angry and scared kids...really reminds me of the Elvis Presley song "In the Ghetto".

Z: I agree, there needs to be a discussion between anti-gun folks and pro-gun folks...and maybe the way to do it is to not sugar coat things and be honest...brutally so.

My last thought is that those of us being part of this discussion, right here on this board, are in the minority...we care and are looking at the problem instead of turning our heads and looking away or instead of looking past it. Most people don't want to be bothered with ugly...so they choose to look away, even when the truth is staring them in the face.

Might something like this be a "part" of an answer?

www.thenewstribune.com/2015/01/31/361693...crowd-with.html?rh=1

Other groups that help fund and organize Saturday’s event included the University of Washington’s Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, Safe Kids Pierce County, and Sportco, which provided the gun lock devices at prices below wholesale cost.

There seems to be quite a few gun owners interested in this sort of thing. If costs for better safety devices were lowered and made available on a much larger scale, might it have a positive impact?

ZHawke wrote: Might something like this be a "part" of an answer?

www.thenewstribune.com/2015/01/31/361693...crowd-with.html?rh=1

Other groups that help fund and organize Saturday’s event included the University of Washington’s Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, Safe Kids Pierce County, and Sportco, which provided the gun lock devices at prices below wholesale cost.

There seems to be quite a few gun owners interested in this sort of thing. If costs for better safety devices were lowered and made available on a much larger scale, might it have a positive impact?

Federal law requires "all" handguns sold have a locking device with them at the time of sale. We carry simple and inexpensive ($2.00 includes tax) trigger locks to gun safes. We are happy to assist you in safety, training and just to talk about related issues. Stop by or call 303-985-7240.

Watched it and hope others do, too. If nothing else is taken away, the very last line in the video speaks to this issue like none other.

My two cents.