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Peter Gerdes's avatar

The problem here is that people don't vote or cheer politicians based on considerations of what policy is superior but based on how to advertise their values and concerns. Studies show people make different choices if they think their choice really determines what happens. Unfortunately, this is at its worst in gun regulation.

For example, consider the issue of assault weapons. These are the worst guns to ban from a cost/benefit POV since handguns are far easier to conceal, easier to carry multiple guns for more rounds and people end up carrying them for discrete self-defense. I'd love to restrict handgun ownership. Moreover, the so called assault weapons aren't actually more deadly (indeed most mass shooters would be better served with multiple handguns) -- mostly they differ in their military aesthetic. And because of that people care particularly strongly about keeping their assault weapons relative to other gun types. Yet that's the focus of much gun control because people want to signal their moral disapproval of glorifying violence and the culture these assault weapons represent.

Indeed, I believe there are good policy solutions that gun owners would accept but only if they felt that their desire to own guns was respected (difference between I know it's a sacrifice and I'm sorry but it's needed and the attitude that your desire to own a weapon is sick and bad in itself). Unfortunately, I don't know how to get us there because every new tragedy makes policy less relevant and cultural clash more.

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Joseph L. Wiess's avatar

If you don't want a gun, you don't have to buy one.

I'm a pretty chilled guy. You do you, leave me and mine alone.

If you want to be part of the rainbow, cool. Just don't push your crap on my kids.

I'll let you in a little secret. You can collect all the weapons you want, and only the criminals will have weapons. Then they'll prey on the people who can no longer protect themselves.

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