General Discussion

DanTex

(20,709 posts)

13. And most drunk drivers make it home alive without hurting anyone.

Wed Sep 11, 2013, 04:17 PM

Sep 2013

Unfortunately, the small percentage that get into accidents cause so much damage that the total toll on society due to drunk driving is large.

Looking at the fraction of people who actually end up killing people is a very poor methodology. We certainly don't look at, say, sarin gas that way, because even one person's misuse that can cause thousands of deaths. What you need to look at is the total amount of harm that comes to society, which in the case of guns is enormous, much bigger even than drunk driving.

And really, there isn't any solution that doesn't address the guns. It's a question of costs and benefits. Is unfettered access to guns really such a valuable thing that it's worth losing 30,000 lives a year?

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32 replies

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Is there REALLY ANY WAY to end gun violence [View all] GalaxyHunter Sep 2013 OP

Being in line with UKs gun homicide rate would make me much more satisfied. JaneyVee Sep 2013 #1

I think we could shenmue Sep 2013 #2

Even w/o the NRA, Japan-style near-total bans wouldn't fly. Lizzie Poppet Sep 2013 #12

Maybe not. Which means the ultimate 'solution' is jobs, infrastructure and health care. randome Sep 2013 #3

I agree!! GalaxyHunter Sep 2013 #23

One less death is one less death. onehandle Sep 2013 #4

+1 JustAnotherGen Sep 2013 #5

Get to the root causes, which lays within the person, and focus on that instead of tools The Straight Story Sep 2013 #6

And most drunk drivers make it home alive without hurting anyone. DanTex Sep 2013 #13

And yet - there are already laws to deal with them right? We don't ban cars or alcohol The Straight Story Sep 2013 #16

Looks like you missed the entire point. DanTex Sep 2013 #17

But drunk driving accidents are a small part of the toll alcohol takes on society hack89 Sep 2013 #19

I agree about alcohol. GalaxyHunter Sep 2013 #24

If the US were in line with the rest of the civilized world, things would be drastically different. DanTex Sep 2013 #7

exactly. We are behind most other Western countries in just about every area you can think of and liberal_at_heart Sep 2013 #20

Start by getting rid of the NRA! n/t bobGandolf Sep 2013 #8

And how is this done? wild bird Sep 2013 #14

I know! bobGandolf Sep 2013 #31

Banning guns would be as effective as banning alcohol was LittleBlue Sep 2013 #9

Gun violence has been cut almost 50% in the past 25 years NickB79 Sep 2013 #10

Yes. Sort of. Decoy of Fenris Sep 2013 #11

Start with mental health coverage and suicide prevention programs hack89 Sep 2013 #15

Yes outlaw all guns and when you find one melt it down gopiscrap Sep 2013 #18

And how would you outlaw all guns? wild bird Sep 2013 #22

yes. if we can reduce gun deaths by 90%, that would be significant. Pretzel_Warrior Sep 2013 #21

so you would be fine with the other %10 dying from guns? GalaxyHunter Sep 2013 #25

I wouldn't be fine with it, but since we're not going to ban guns Pretzel_Warrior Sep 2013 #26

I can think of a way without banning guns even though I am pro 2nd... 1awake Sep 2013 #27

More people wishing to live in a proper civilized society. Turbineguy Sep 2013 #28

Answers sarisataka Sep 2013 #29

There is no way to END gun violence. SecularMotion Sep 2013 #30

Teach empathy and ethics Taverner Sep 2013 #32