>>But why is this an argument against gun control per se? While we wait for
>a better society, we still have to live in the current one. Shouldn't we
>support incremental change that makes incremental improvements?
>
>If you're accusing me of focusing on guns and ignoring the problem of big
>bad corporations, this just isn't the case. I recognize the dangers and
>wickedness of the capitalist system. I'd be happy to discuss its evils,
>and I'll readily admit that they cause more human suffering than guns do.
>
>But I don't see why this makes it nuts to be in favor of gun control.
>Because something is less important we can't discuss it? I'm talking about
>guns because the topic came up on the list.
I understand, Brett, and wasn't really targetting you personally or particularly, honest.
My objection to the gun-control deal, I guess, is that it's very classist and more than slightly fraudulent. It's a facile thing to do: we can congratulate ourselves that we've Taken Action. It's like targetting the socially-marginalised kids, the gamers and goths. It's a feel-good act that allows us to scapegoat the powerless while maintaining the illusion that the powerful are blameless. It's 'aspirin for a brain-tumor headache'. It's like eroding the Fourth Amendment. The asset-forfeiture law is passed to get at the major drug dealers, and a few years later an innocent woman no longer has a car to drive because her husband got caught soliciting a prostitute. How many of the ruling elite ever go to jail for dope offences? How many of them ever go to a serious jail for any offence? How many ever get their property confiscated?
I simply believe we shouldn't be doing things that are illusory, or that scapegoat -- even if those things have some positive effect.