Beyond Labels

A 360° Discussion of Foreign, National and Local Policy Issues

This Week: Gun Control

Yes, we will be meeting on Monday (Columbus Day), even though the Library is closed. Same time (10:30am), same place (the Howard Room).

There’s a lot of political rhetoric about gun control these days…from both sides…so this week we’ll try to parse through the issue in detail:

  • How much of a problem is gun violence in the US?
    • Mike W. found an interesting Pew Research study about gun violence trends.
    • I’m sure someone can find a study comparing violent crime in the US to other developed countries.
  • What does the Second Amendment really mean?
    • What sort of “arms” are protected? All? Only non-combat weapons? Only for state militias?
    • What has been the influence of the Supreme Court on the interpretation?
  • So what can be done to reduce gun violence?
    • What exactly are President Obama’s “common sense reforms” and, if passed, would they really accomplish much?
    • Where do each the 2016 Presidential candidates stand?
  • Here are the alternatives as I see them. (You’re invited to bring some more if you think I’ve missed something important.)
    • Do nothing
    • Adopt “common sense reform” (aka minor tweaks to existing law
    • Wait for Supreme Court turnover to reinterpret the Second Amendment
    • Go “whole hog” for repeal. Here’s another article (sort of) discussing How to Create a Gun-Free America in Five Easy Steps.

Lastly, here’s a Washington Post article from last week on How to Argue About Gun Control that provides some arguments, pro and con, on various subtopics related to the issue.

See you tomorrow!


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