Gun Control Is Missing the Point!

By now I'm sure everyone is aware of the horrible tragedy that took place in Aurora, Co. My heart goes out to all of those impacted by the cruel action of James Holmes. At the bottom of this blog I will place a list of places where you can make some sort of contribution if you'd like to help.

It seems as though in wake of this tragedy.. people (beside the President, and Presidential candidate) are trying to exercise their political agenda. I see the left screaming 'gun control' because they feel as though Holmes had too much access, and the right is saying this is exactly why we need guns. I feel as though they're both missing the core of the problem here. I'm not defending the 2nd amendmant, or joining either side, because in my opinion to bring guns into the dialogue is erroneous.

Mainstreem media along with Hollywood play a crucial role in normalizing violence in society. When we're bombarded with messages inclusive of violence on a daily basis we become desensitized to it. We lose our connection to the severity of violence in society, unless it directly affects us; which is saddening to me. Shouldn't one act of violence (lethal or not, masscre or singular) put us in action to show it's not tolerable?

The patriarcharl society we occupy entails a list of standards for men that teach them to be a man they must adhere to it. We glorify, and glamorize men's violence in many avenues across the board (sports, T.V., music, etc.). This condtioning of hypermasculine ills begins at a very early age, and it demands that males reject expressing or showing emotions. Showing emotions is typically seen as feminine, and boys are taught that we should shun anything seen as 'girly,' because that is weak, and (the goal of becoming) a 'real man' isn't weak. While boys are taught to repress (primary) emotions, they are also taught that anger (secondary emotion) is accepted, and sometimes celebrated. Therefore, men are more prone to assert anger and aggression as a substitute or coping mechanism.

When we're talking about guns, and people who committ violence it is a detriment to combine the two. I do not agree with the term 'gun violence'. For one, it leaves the perpetrator out, and implies that guns have a causal factor in violence. Guns are not violent, but people are. I think it's crucial how we frame language around topics of such importance, such as violence, because the language shapes our perceptions. It also portrays who we should hold accountable.

The implications that gun control would prevent a tragedy, like the one in Colorado, correlates with the idea that abstinence only education will prevent teen pregnancy, and STD's (we see how well that works). Blaming or implying blame on guns for violent acts committed by people with guns, is the like blaming words for verbal abuse instead of the abuser. It's not the words that are to blame, it is the person in control of the words! The title of one article read: "It was inevitable, given our lax gun laws". That is in line with those who hold the mind-set rape is inevitable given our 'laxed dress code' in my opinion. Controlling ojects in which a person uses to do harm does not prevent that person from causing harm.

I could care less if there were guns in the world, but guns don't kill people! People kill people!



Aurora Mental Health Center: http://upwr.me/giveamhc

Thrive With Confidence Foundation: http://upwr.me/givethrive

Bonfils Blood Center ($$): http://upwr.me/givebonfils

Bonfils Blood Center (Blood): http://upwr.me/bloodbonfils

Mile High Red Cross: http://upwr.me/coredcross