The difference between guns versus mental illness, videogames, drugs, etc. as a root cause

[Tommy_Carcetti]

In order for a death to occur:

Mental illness + weapon = killing

Violent movie/video game infatuation + weapon = killing

Drug/alcohol abuse + weapon = killing

Versus

Gun (i.e, a weapon) = killing

Guns are not merely a motivating factor. They are means to an end.

Being mentally ill, being infatuated by violent movies and video games, abusing drugs or alcohol does not kill anyone else by themselves. They do not kill in isolation.

They all require an additional step. That additional step is a weapon. The most common weapon used in murders are firearms.

That is why the discussion must begin first with guns and the access to guns.

[Frenkstap]

1. Spam deleted by hlthe2b (MIR Team)

[Recursion]

2. The gun is also the hardest thing in those to do anything about

We can expand access to mental health services. We can censor movies and games (or at least rate them). We can provide substance abuse treatment services.

Actually getting guns out of people's houses is much more difficult.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

3. Ironically, it's far more tangible than mental illness and violent movies and games.

Mental illness exists within the recesses of one's own mind, and violent movies and games exist only on media.

Guns, on the other hand, are tangible and concrete.

[Warren Stupidity]

4. The initial step is simple: ban magazine capacities greater than 5.

[Recursion]

5. I'm fine with that ban

There are several hundred million bigger magazines in private hands today already and no way to get them back. So, I don't think there's anything wrong with the ban, and I don't think it would do any good for the next 40 years or so.

[Warren Stupidity]

6. make them illegal to own with a one year amnesty and a serious penalty for non-compliance.

yes they will continue to exist, but over time access will diminish, which is the point: access.