February 21, 2018
Virginia Tech (2007); Sandy Hook (2012); the Orlando, Florida nightclub (2016); Las Vegas (2017); First Methodist Church, Sutherland, Texas (2017); and now Stoneham Douglas High School, Parkland, Florida (2018). (See Appendix for a list of mass shootings since 2000.) When will Congress wake up? National polls indicate that 90 – 95% of Americans support some type of gun control legislation. The Preamble to the Constitution starts with “We the People.” As part of an established representative democracy, I would expect that our elected representatives would in fact represent the People. Instead it appears that money from the NRA, and other pro-firearms/munitions lobbies, carry the day!! The People as a whole should still control what happens in our country, not the moneyed special interests. The recent list of legislators who have taken significant contributions from the NRA is shocking. I’m sure you know who is on the list!
I’m not anti-firearms. I grew up in rural Iowa, hunting, fishing and trapping. Guns were a part of my youth. However, as a retired law enforcement professional with 30 years of service as a police officer, trainer, educator, and administrator, I have developed some very strong opinions regarding the 2nd Amendment. In addition, I have been actively involved in security consulting through my company Assets Protection Associates since 1986. School/campus safety has been a large part of my work.
My thoughts:
- The 2nd Amendment was passed at a time when this young nation was concerned about threats from the British, Spanish and French. We did not have a substantial army or navy. Our protection rested with a reliance on our citizens who fought the revolution as militia or privateers. The amendment starts with “A well-regulated militia, being necessary for the security of a free state ….” Most Americans who assert their right to “bear arms” fail to note this opening statement. While the Supreme Court has consistently found in favor of the right to keep and bear arms, much of the intent of the
2nd Amendment’s regulation of the militia and the citizen soldier has been lost over time. In fact, it may surprise people to know that regulation of firearms was a part of the new nation’s tradition (Cornell, Saul, “Five Types of Gun Laws the Founding Father Loved,” The Conversation, October 15, 2017).
- Our forefathers viewed firearms as tools. They were primarily used to support the family by providing the means to put meat on the table. In addition, the wilderness posed dangers that could more easily be dealt with if one had a firearm. Occasionally that danger came from other humans, whether Native Americans or other settlers. Throughout the 1970s, firearms were still considered tools used for hunting, protection when in the wilderness, and by some as protection from fellow humans. Today our nation has changed from rural to urban, from hunting for survival to hunting for sport; a nation of uncertain safety from marauders, thieves, and others to a modern nation where crime has been on the decline for decades. Firearms no longer play a major role in most Americans’ lives, unless they live in certain high crime areas. Gun ownership by household has fallen from 50% in 1980 to fewer than 33% in 2016. Three percent of the population owns 50% of all firearms. It is interesting that a minority of the People have continued to control government considerations in the area of gun regulation!
- Those who oppose gun restrictions still believe in the myth of gunfighters in the old west. In fact, the gun may have played a significant role in our nation’s westward movement, but most of us lack an understanding of the reality of gunfights, Indian attacks or even gun regulation. Of importance is the fact that our old law enforcers often established laws that restricted guns. A line from the movie “Wyatt Earp,” spoken by Virgil Earp, sums up many of the early local law enforcement efforts. “I’m not saying you can’t have a gun. I’m saying you can’t carry a gun in town.”
- The National Rifle Association (NRA), which was chartered to provide support for gun safety through programs that taught young men how to safely use a firearm, has today become nothing but a lobby organization for the firearms industry. It is worth noting that until the mid-1970s, the NRA carried out its mission of supporting hunting and gun safety. In the mid-70s, with a change in organizational leadership, it shifted focus to the 2nd Protection of the right to keep and bear arms became its new goal. This focus has little to do with providing gun safety programs serving those of us who own firearms and like to hunt. I’m surprised that the theme was able to gather traction, since I don’t recall that the right to keep and bear arms was ever under serious attack!
- Regulation isn’t a new issue, and it wasn’t really controversial until recently. The federal government became involved with regulation in 1936 and later in 1968. During both of the discussions on the ’36 and ’68 bills, the NRA supported the proposed legislation. Other restrictions were passed following the attempted assassination of President Reagan. The controversy over semiautomatic and automatic assault weapons took center stage. The Brady Bill passed.
- While right to gun ownership has been supported by the 2nd Amendment and case law, there is no reason to make that right unlimited– to include owning whatever type of weapon or munition a gun owner might want. It is ironic that all states have laws regulating Most include limitations on the type of firearm that might be used to hunt various types of game. Some states do not allow the use of a rifle or pistol to hunt deer. In addition, some laws restrict magazine size. Fowl hunters are often faced with a three shell restriction, even when the shotgun chambers six shells. Deer hunters are not allowed unrestricted magazines. One would think that reason would dictate that similar laws would exist for humans!
- I question the need for most Americans to even have a firearm, although it is their right. In the 40 years since I left the police department, I cannot think of a time when I needed a firearm for personal protection. I own over a dozen firearms, ranging from handguns to rifles (2 semiautomatic rifles) and shotguns. That puts me in the category of 20% of gun owners who have over 10 guns. But, I consider most of them to be collector’s items, the exception being a handgun in case of home invasion and a couple of long guns to handle predatory animals. At a young age, I discovered that having a semi-automatic .22 did little to improve my chances of shooting a squirrel or rabbit. If I missed on the first 2 shots, the additional 18 rounds were just wasted. My point is that even if people do need a gun for hunting and for protecting their property from predators, they certainly do not need modern automatic or semiautomatic weapons.
- A good friend, a former Chicago police officer, has said that putting more guns on the street to reduce gun violence is like proposing adding more vehicles to our roads in the hope of reducing traffic accidents! He makes a good argument. When he and I were police officers in the 60s and 70s, the number of weapons available to the public was substantially less than today. The types of weapons that we faced were often traditional hunting-style rifles, shotguns and handguns. It was rare to find assault style weapons. Handguns which were used in the commission of a crime were often cheap foreign made items, “zip guns,” or older World War II pieces. Today, assault rifles and semi-automatic pistols are too common, especially among intercity gang members. These assault style weapons have become common place partially because the NRA and media have created a climate of fear. The NRA creates fear that the government will take our firearms away. The media paints a picture of a society where there is danger in every corner. Ironically, while the rise in the number of firearms has created a more deadly environment, our society has seen a steady drop in crime over the past 5 decades, with the exception of violent crime, which has been increasing.
- Analysis of Variance data from an international study supports the belief that the number of guns is the variable that most impacts the number of deaths by firearm. (Adam Lankford, University of Alabama, New York Times, November 7, 2017) Other variables considered and found not significant are racial division, lack of proper mental care, and screening. This data is shocking. Furthermore, Americans make up 4.4% of the world’s population, yet we own 42% of the world’s firearms. Thirty-one percent of mass shooters from 1966 through 2012 were Americans. Interestingly, Yemen has the highest rate of mass shootings among countries with populations over 10 million, second only to the United States in gun ownership. Lankford noted that mental health problems in the United States were no greater than in other countries, and our spending for mental health is in line with other wealthy countries. Thus, mental health issues did not stand out as a contributing variable.
Another factor that the study considered, based on some popular misconceptions, is that violent video games may cause unhealthy attitudes toward violence. However, Americans do not spend any more time playing video games than people in other countries.
American deaths by gun totaled 33 per million in 2009, far exceeding that of other countries. For example, Canada’s rate is 5 per million while Great Britain, which has very strict gun laws, had a rate of only 0.7 per million. Nor is our crime problem greater than other developed countries.
The bottom line is that 130 studies from 10 different countries all note that gun control legislation tends to reduce gun related murders. Thus, it is clear that the variable of gun control has by far the greatest impact on the number of deaths by firearm.
What is the solution? The answer is complicated, considering the lobbying efforts of the NRA and other interest groups. We do have laws to regulate firearms, but they are often not clear enough, or not adequately enforced. I believe that Congress needs to provide the leadership on this issue. Here are a few suggestions:
- Educate our citizenry about the 2nd Amendment with special emphasis on the first clause on regulation. In other words, we do not need a civilian militia today, but the regulation of firearms needs to be established as a governmental Constitutional duty.
- Make clear that ownership of hunting weapons and certain handguns is within the purview of the 2nd Amendment rights. However, other weapons, such as automatic, semiautomatic rifles and certain handguns, are not! Of the 32 mass shooting since 2000, an overwhelming 25 involved semiautomatic weapons!
- For those who are gun enthusiasts and feel the need to experience the “thrill” of firing automatic, semiautomatic, or other restricted weapons, application to own these weapons may be considered. However, those who qualify for ownership will be required to keep their weapons at gun clubs or ranges, where they can be locked in a vault when not in use at the range.
- Emphasize the need to support federal, state and local law enforcement in the enforcement of current gun laws. Hire additional personnel if needed.
- Allow local jurisdictions to establish gun regulations that might further restrict when, where, and how legal guns may be used.
- Publicize the progress made in reducing crime. Promote programs that reduce the fear of victimization, making clear that the major concern should be on reducing the number of guns on the streets– which in turn will further reduce violent crime.
- Concealed carry presents special problems. I haven’t seen any data which would support the contention that concealed carry has resulted in increased shootings. However, open and concealed carry needs to be restricted to traditional handguns and hunting weapons. No more AK-47s or AR-15s! No more machine or automatic pistols with enhanced magazines. And, let businesses and other establishments continue to prohibit weapons in their place of operation.
I believe that this proposal will move America in the right direction. It restates the right to bear arms, but clarifies regulation. The proposal presents a solution that is positively received by the 90 – 95 percent of the American public who want gun regulation. The NRA needs to be reminded of its original charter and the real focus of the 2nd Amendment. Ultimately, in response to public outcry which will ultimately result in gun control legislation, the NRA will lose its overpowering influence over our legislators. For more on the 2nd Amendment, see my blog – robertfischerthoughtsfromthe middle.blog.
Respectfully,
Robert James Fischer, Ph.D.
President, Assets Protection Associates, Incorporated
Director, Illinois Law Enforcement Executive Institute, retired
Western Illinois University, Emeritus Professor
APPENDIX
Mass Shooting 2000 – February 2018
By Location, Date, Number Killed, Type of Weapon
Place Date # Killed*/Location Weapon
Wakefield, MA December 26, 2000 7/coworkers Edgewater Tech AK-47
Brookefield, WI March 12, 2005 7/church members 9mm handgun
Red Lake, MN March 21, 2005 10/family, students, law handguns+
Goleta, CA January 30, 2006 7/friend & postal workers handgun
Lancaster County, PA October 2, 2006 5/Amish female students shotgun pistol
Salt Lake, UT February 12, 2007 18/shoppers, Trolley Square shotgun, pistol
Blacksburg, VA April 16, 2007 32/students Virginia Technical 2 semiauto pistols
Crandon, WI October 7, 2007 6/after homecoming party semiauto rifle
Omaha, NE December 5, 2007 8/Westwood Mall semiauto rifle
Kirkwood, MO February 8, 2008 5/city council meeting 2 handguns
Dekalb, IL February 14, 2008 5/Northern Illinois University 3 semiauto pistols, shotgun
Henderson, KY June 25, 2008 5/Atlantis Plastic semiauto pistol
Binghampton, NY April 3, 2009 14/American Civic Association 2 semiauto pistols
Manchester, CT August 3, 2010 8/Hartford Distributing 2 semiauto pistols
Carson City, NV September 6, 2011 4/IHOP restaurant semiauto rifle
Aurora, CO July 20, 2012 12/movie theatre 2 semiauto pistol,
tactical shotgun
Oak Creek, WI August 5, 2012 4/Sikh temple semiauto pistol
Newtown, CT December 14, 2012 26/Sandy Hook Elementary semiauto rifle & pistol
Herkimer, NY March 13, 2013 4/carwash/barbershop shotgun
Santa Monica, CA June 7, 2013 5/campus semiauto rifle
Hialeah, FL July 26, 2013 6/apart complex semiauto pistol
Washington, D.C. September 16, 2013 12/navy yard shotgun
Bell, FL September 14, 2014 7/family semiauto rifle
Waco, TX May 17, 2015 9/gang shootout pistols semiauto rifle
Charleston, SC June 17, 2015 9/black church auto pistol
Roseburg, OR October 1, 2015 9/CC campus 2 semiauto pistols
Colorado Springs, CO November 27, 2015 3/Planned Parent semiauto rifle
San Bernardino, CA** December 2, 2015 14/holiday party assault weapons- pistols & rifles
Orlando, FL June 29, 2016 49/nightclub semiauto rifle
Las Vegas, NV October 1, 2017 50/concert semiauto rifle
Sutherland, TX November 5, 2017 26/church semiauto rifle
Parkland, FL February 14, 2018 17/high school AR-15
Total Number of Shootings = 32 Total Number of Victims = 394
Number involving semiauto weapons = 25 Number of students# = 86
*DOES NOT INCLUDE SHOOTER IF KILLED OR COMMITS SUICIDE
** HUSBAND & WIFE SHOOTERS
#THIS IS ONLY AN ESTIMATE BASED ON THE ABOVE DATA AND INCLUDES COLLEGE A
Thoughts from the Middle by Robert J. Fischer 