It's the end of the world as we know it

Thursday, December 3, 2015
Another day, another mass shooting. This time it's a human services organization, a group that provided services to the disabled. Because nothing says "ammosexual nutjob" like shooting up an organization dedicated to helping the least among us, I guess.

But that's not why I think it's the end of the world. This is the 351st mass shooting this year, putting the U.S. on par for having more than one each day. It's part of our life now, part of our culture, and I think we can all agree that there will be no legislation or fundamental change that will prevent this type of thing from happening again tomorrow. We just don't have the political will to fix what's broken, and in fact, we can't even agree on what that is, which makes taking action more than a little difficult.

No, what's driven me to my keyboard was a brief exchange I had on Facebook with the friend of a friend on the shooting in San Bernardino. This individual truly believes that people who choose not to purchase guns are "neutering" themselves and have only themselves to blame if some nutjob chooses to kill them with a firearm. No, I'm not making that up. No, I won't mention who it is or identify the mutual friend. Yes, I have blocked this person, because...damn.

To me, this idea that the victims of violence are to blame because they choose not to go armed in what is purportedly a civilized society is more indicative of lawlessness and a slow slide into barbarism than the nutbars who are spraying bullets like a fire-hose. One of the definitions of a civilized society is that violence becomes the privilege of the state, not armed vigilantes roaming the streets with some sort of cockamamie "good guy with a gun" complex. The thought that each of us is responsible for our own personal safety, with no recourse or protection from the state...this idea frightens me deeply. It's a precursor to the world of Mad Max, and has implications far beyond the fact that the United States can't/won't address the problem of mass violence in our society. Where's the line in the sand? At what point does unacceptable behavior legitimize taking personal action versus allowing the authorities to handle it? Do I get to run my neighbor down because they don't shovel their sidewalk and they drive poorly? Do we now start to turn our house into fortress because we can't trust law enforcement to maintain the rule of law?

I've always despised victim-blaming, but this...this is something different, and something far more sinister.

Angels and ministers of grace, defend us.

2 comments:

Anne C. said...

[shudder] I have always been in favor of responsible gun ownership. That includes the adage "don't carry a gun if you are not willing to use it." I will not shoot another person. In a situation like that, my hand would be shaking so much, I'd probably kill myself by accident. I can and have shot guns for entertainment, but the idea that I need to become Sarah Connor or Furiosa in order to feel safe is pure and utter bullshit. I'll move to a safer country before I do that. Because guess what? Other countries have figured this out.

Random Michelle K said...

As a pacifist (looks around for Evan) I am amused by the idea that I am "neutered" because I won't purchase and carry a gun. Talk about carrying the penis metaphor to a ridiculous conclusion.

Does this person think that Jesus would have been a shotgun toting member of the NRA? Do they think Gandhi was a lesser person because he didn't carry?

I've shot guns. I like guns--they're loud and can be fun. But of everyone I know, I should NOT own one. Partially because I recognize that I would be a danger to myself, and partially because I have a terrible temper (see: why Michelle is a pacifist) and I don't need assistance in making irreparable decisions.

If someone pulls out a gun, my hope is that I would do everything I could to shield those who can't defend themselves (but I hope I'll never learn for certain how I'd react), but replying with my own gun? That just seems to ensure bloodshed.