Fear of Guns

[Nakosis]

My thought exactly. If the same money and measures went into preventing mass shootings as went into anti terror measures, there would be much less mass shootings and probably none if the measures were proportional to the threat.
What is strange is that terror attacks lead to terror and actions culminating in two wars. Mass shootings (which should be classified as terror attacks) lead to "thoughts and prayers".

Unfortunately we have this two party system in the US which makes every issue a political tug of war.

 

[Revoltingest]

Yes, that is why I only have a shower.
My rational fear of bathtubs.

Most accidents happen within 5 miles of home.
So best to stay outside of that 5 mile radius.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

Most accidents happen within 5 miles of home.
So best to stay outside of that 5 mile radius.

copycat

 

[Revoltingest]

copycat

Oh....you already did that one?
(I didn't read the whole thread.)
Still, it's good advice.

 

[ADigitalArtist]

The question is whether they are worthy of fear, not attention.

Yes. Generally telling people they shouldn't be afraid of things is unproductive and unhealthy. Fear is a natural and useful emotion because it makes you pay attention to potential threats.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't temper that fear with information based response rather than just fear alone.

Also, statistics like that are really... improperly used when applied broadly. The risk of being attacked by a shark is incredibly low, but it's a lot higher if you're in the ocean in their natural hunting ground. And your risk of being shot might be different than someone living in higher crime areas, or people who are afraid for their kids when school shootings happen hundreds of times more than in other countries, and seemingly all across the nation.

 

[Altfish]

How reasonable do you think is is to fear death by gun violence?

You are more likely to die from covid.
You are more likely to die in an unintended accident.
You are more likely to commit suicide.

Than be a victim of gun violence.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr70/nvsr70-09-508.pdf

Does that make you feel better?

The chance of dying of a snake bite is very low ... but I'm scared of snakes

How many of those suicides were by a gun?

Does it make me feel better? No, I'm still scared of guns

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

Oh....you already did that one?
(I didn't read the whole thread.)
Still, it's good advice.

#20. But only used 1 mile.

 

[Nakosis]

Yes. Generally telling people they shouldn't be afraid of things is unproductive and unhealthy. Fear is a natural and useful emotion because it makes you pay attention to potential threats.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't temper that fear with information based response rather than just fear alone.

Also, statistics like that are really... improperly used when applied broadly. The risk of being attacked by a shark is incredibly low, but it's a lot higher if you're in the ocean in their natural hunting ground. And your risk of being shot might be different than someone living in higher crime areas, or people who are afraid for their kids when school shootings happen hundreds of times more than in other countries, and seemingly all across the nation.

I'm not really sure we have a choice is what we fear. Telling people what not to be afraid of is wasteful.
I never really found fear useful but sure, some might.
The problem I see with fear is how easy it is to use it to manipulate people.

I just never really liked being manipulated.

 

[Revoltingest]

Yes. Generally telling people they shouldn't be afraid of things is unproductive and unhealthy. Fear is a natural and useful emotion because it makes you pay attention to potential threats.

It all depends upon the person.
Just yesterday I counseled a friend to stop being
afraid of Bill Gates's conspiracy to have the UN
install a 1 world government after exterminating
85% of the Earth's population (Agenda 21 & 30).
I suggested that he not take Glenn Beck's claims
at face value, & do some research to see if the UN
really does have these plans. And then avoid his
doomscrolling of loopy right wing conspiracy sites
(their being bad for one's mood & focus).
I made some progress with this line of thought.

 

[Nakosis]

The chance of dying of a snake bite is very low ... but I'm scared of snakes

How many of those suicides were by a gun?

Does it make me feel better? No, I'm still scared of guns

Yes, I'm afraid of spiders. Knowing it is unreasonable doesn't change that.
I'm not afraid of guns. Just want to say I'm rational about it.
Whether it is true or not.

 

[Revoltingest]

#20. But only used 1 mile.

Use 5 miles...just to be safe.

 

[Nakosis]

It all depends upon the person.
Just yesterday I counseled a friend to stop being
afraid of Bill Gates's conspiracy to have the UN
install a 1 world government after exterminating
85% of the Earth's population (Agenda 21 & 30).
I suggested that he not take Glenn Beck's claims
at face value, & do some research to see if the UN
really does have these plans. And then avoid his
doomscrolling of loopy right wing conspiracy sites
(their being bad for one's mood & focus).
I made some progress with this line of thought.

Your friend must be more reasonable than most.
Or perhaps I just really suck at making a convincing argument.

 

[ADigitalArtist]

I'm not really sure we have a choice is what we fear. Telling people what not to be afraid of is wasteful.
I never really found fear useful but sure, some might.
The problem I see with fear is how easy it is to use it to manipulate people.

I just never really liked being manipulated.

Imo fear should prompt inquiry, not just reaction. If fear leads you to research, it's harder to be manipulated. But the fear itself I believe is useful to drawing your attention to a problem.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

How reasonable do you think is is to fear death by gun violence?

You are more likely to die from covid.
You are more likely to die in an unintended accident.
You are more likely to commit suicide.

Than be a victim of gun violence.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr70/nvsr70-09-508.pdf

Does that make you feel better?

If there were no guns, an invention of men, It would be 100% likely I would not to die from gun related violence.

Interestingly, in the mid 1800's the world was advised to reduce all its man made arms of warfare. We could have chosen to listen then.

It appears we need an ever increasing violent armed world before we look at change.

Regards Tony

 

[Revoltingest]

Your friend must be more reasonable than most.
Or perhaps I just really suck at making a convincing argument.

He is less reasonable than most.
But I've vast experience dealing with loony friends.
And decades of practice having productive discussions
about contentious issues. I'm generally nicer than you
see here on RF. But as top jerk, I've an image to keep.

 

[Revoltingest]

If there were no guns, an invention of men, It would be 100% likely I would not to die from gun related violence.

Interestingly, in the mid 1800's the world was advised to reduce all its man made arms of warfare. We could have chosen to listen then.

It appears we need an ever increasing violent armed world before we look at change.

Regards Tony

The problem of disarming is that it really needs
100% compliance. We can fantasize about that.
But it won't happen.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

I really have a hard time imagining a problem for which the solution is buying ANOTHER gun and several thousand more rounds of ammo...

Invasion by Putin's Russia, yeah...maybe a couple of guns and some supporting ammo...but really...what kind of fear is driving people to buy fifteen guns with 5,000 rounds each? You REALLY think the US government is so effective that it could declare martial law and come for your guns, etc., and wouldn't be immediately neutralized by at least half of the government actively opposing such action?

Not rational to my way of thinking.

 

[sun rise]

This is literally a reductive argument.

If you're more likely to die from heart disease than any of the above, doesn't mean the above aren't worthy of concern or attention and prevention.

I agree.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

The problem of disarming is that it really needs
100% compliance. We can fantasize about that.
But it won't happen.

Another option has been offered. Yet given the current mentality with arms and the distrust of police forces, it is going to have to transition over a couple of generations.

Thus if we consider this,

"...Compose your differences, and reduce your armaments, that the burden of your expenditures may be lightened, and that your minds and hearts may be tranquillized. Heal the dissensions that divide you, and ye will no longer be in need of any armaments except what the protection of your cities and territories demandeth...."

That would bring up options.

National arms are reduced to only what is requires to adequately police each Nation. Private citizens do not need arms. (I was in the army, was an avid gun owner, had 2 x SKK 30 mag semi automatic, a 7.62 Sniper, a 6.5 Mauser and a .22 Magnum.) I was rid of them all in the Australian buy back, they were all scrapped. Thank goodness for that.

An international force would be well equiped, represented by troops drawn from all Nations.

The Boundaries of Nations would be set and if any Nation then raised against another, the International force could be deployed to subdue that Nation into total submission.

Lots to decide, but that's a start.

Regards Tony

 

[Audie]

Yes, why I wouldn't have any guns in my house.
But this is more about personal fear.

I kept one in the USA.

ONE near death experience with a sadist
was way more than a convincing case
for being able to protect myself.