There's a way to stop mass shootings and you won't like it.

[Decoy of Fenris]

Hey, DU. I figured that since there's still a small amount of time left on the "guns in GD" window, I'd post this for your consideration.

That’s right. You’re not going to like it because it’s going to require you to do something personally, as opposed to shouting for the government, or anyone to “do something!”

You ready? Here it is:

“Notice those around you who seem isolated, and engage them.”

If every one of us did this we’d have a culture that was deeply committed to insuring no one was left lonely. And make no mistake, as I’ve written before loneliness is what causes these shooters to lash out. People with solid connections to other people don’t indiscriminately fire guns at strangers.

http://mystudentapt.com/2015/10/06/theres-a-way-to-stop-mass-shootings-and-you-wont-like-it/



I'm withholding personal comment aside from this: This is an important aspect of the "guns" debate that too many are unwilling to consider. Is this the be-all end-all of violence? No, but I think it's a decent step.

[ms liberty]

1. Good point. K&R. n/t

[Stargazer99]

2. thanks to the conservatives our country is so well trained in "I've got mine to hell with you"

human life has little value - only wealth and power counts-if you don't either "go away and die". Since the wealthy have gated communities to keep out the riff/raff, tax write offs (check the tax write offs in comparison to low income people), etc. The common man has been well trained in competition for jobs, the expense of a decent education is generally beyond the low income group. There is a hundred other ways the powerful and wealthy screw it to the common man. You really expect Christian principles to rule basic human animal instinct? ie-selfishness,

[treestar]

3. That is a good point

We let people slip though the cracks.

[OneGrassRoot]

4. I wonder...

and soon I shall find out, whether or not people are willing to build better DIVERSE care and support networks.

I've talked about my Community Good (Wishadoo) social network being structured as a member-owned co-operative for years, but that hasn't taken hold enough in spite of me trying to raise awareness of worker- and member-owned cooperatives for ages.

In lieu of that right now, I'm returning to more of a mutual aid society model of old. And will build the network by asking members to invite six people...and they invite six people...with the express intent to build a network of people who, quite simply, care. The hope is that with a stronger, broader, care-based national (and eventually global) network, we can be more aware of those currently falling through the cracks. They're the people who found their way to Wishadoo in years past anyway. I want us to be more active about reaching out to find them and let them know they aren't alone.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

5. Well, duh, but why are they zero-summing it ?

Of course we should try to reach out to people who might otherwise feel lonely or alienated. That seems like basic human decency.

But why does that preclude us from talking about guns as well?

[hunter]

6. In functional families and communities people know who has a gun problem...

... and they discourage it.

People who behave foolishly with guns are in the same class as drunk drivers, they are very dangerous to themselves and others.

Healthy family, friends, and community have no problem taking the car keys away from someone who is drunk or otherwise unfit to drive, and the same ought to be true of guns.

If the second amendment prevents federal intervention, then friends, family, and community can still intervene.

Potential mass murderers are readily assimilated into a gun culture that fantasizes about murder in their gun play. This same culture is then shocked when a few of their own turn the fantasy into reality.

[OneGrassRoot]

7. Great points. Thanks. n/t