Three years ago on a sabbatical, I spent some time studying
the gun culture. I read a few books by sociologists who had interviewed gun
enthusiasts and spent a fair amount of time on the websites of organizations
like the NRA and the Gun Owners of America. (One thing I did not do, which I
intend to do in the near future, is attend a gun show and talk to folks; I have
to admit the prospect is a bit unnerving).
At the same time I
have paid attention to the people most outspoken in favor relaxing restrictions
on guns, and why they think that is so important. A couple weeks ago I attended
a gun violence prevention rally and a small group of pro-gun counter-demonstrators
were waving American flags and signs while their long guns were conspicuously
strapped over their backs. They looked pathetically ridiculous to me, but they
were dead serious, and in the next day’s news they were displayed nearly as
prominently as the gun violence prevention advocates; for good or ill they have
the media’s attention.
Then I thought about
my June 6 posting (“It Starts with the Guns, Stupid!”), which attracted 4-5 pro
gun advocates who berated my position that guns should be more fully regulated
(expanded background checks, one handgun a month limits, mandated reporting of
lost or stolen guns) so as to discourage straw purchasers. I got comments like
the following:
- owning a gun is a protected right in America. You don't have to agree...but so long as it is protected, requiring finger printing for that right is not only unconstitutional…”
- - So one gun a month is an acceptable infringement of the 2nd Amendment? Then I guess you also support a one comment a month in order to exercise the 1st Amendment? Or a one time a month application of the 4th Amendment if hassled by the Cops? Or a once a month use of the 5th Amendment?
Despite several attempts to say I wasn't against legal gun
ownership, these critics took my comments to mean I covertly wanted to rid all
guns from all persons. Statistics and facts about the relationship between the
prevalence of guns and gun-related injuries and fatalities were not
persuasive. In the end the only things I
could get them to agree with was (1) they had a basic mistrust of the
government and so opposed any sort of government regulation and (2) they
believed that violence is inevitable so they felt a need to arm themselves in
self-defense.
Now, I grant you I don’t endorse this way of thinking, but
I have come to the conclusion that any effective strategy to reduce the
prevalence of guns in our society needs to address the issue at the level of culture. In a
recent NY Times Op Ed Brendan Nyhan wrote about “When Facts and Beliefs Collide.” While he was speaking about global warming debate (more specifically why
certain climate change detractors aren't convinced by scientific facts), I
think his insights apply equally to the issue of guns. He writes “The deeper
problem is that citizens participate in public life precisely because they
believe the issues at stake relate to their values and ideals…”
When Nyhan speaks of values and ideals, he is talking about
what makes human beings unique and about the power of culture. Culture is what
gives people a sense of meaning and belonging, who I am and who I belong to. People will go to the mat for their values
and ideals. Values and ideals are the origin of some of the world’s greatest
good (Think: King’s “I Have a Dream” speech) and most incredible evil (Think:
Hitler’s “Final Solution”). People will often allow their reason and common
sense to be guided by values and ideals, and they interpret their reality
through the lens of those values and ideals. That’s why, as Nyhan points out,
people with strong values and ideals are not swayed by facts, logic or reason.
They have no need of them because their culture has already given them their
truth.
For pro-gun advocates, the Second Amendment is the center of
their truth. The right to bear arms is an all-encompassing ideal that shades
everything they believe. They believe that if every home had a gun in it, we
would all be safer. From who or what I am not sure, since everyone would have the ability to shoot each other, but that is their belief. When I heard young woman who I deeply respect
say that to me recently, I nearly fell off my chair. For me a gun in every home
is frightening, to her it was safety.
All of which brings me back to culture. Guns and violence
are deeply embedded in the American social psyche; in some quarters they are
central to what it means to be a man, a husband, a father. Our heroes, our favorite movies, our favorite
TV shows, our sports – center around the use of violence to solve problems, and
often that violence involves guns. Guns are the ultimate expression of
individualism; one can protect his (usually it is a he) loved ones without need
of help from others. For many the gun culture is a source of camaraderie, much
like old Army buddies gathering for reunions. And let’s not forget, it is a huge
business. God, family, patriotism, manhood, freedom – all get wrapped up with
the right to bear arms. Values, ideals, beliefs – these are the stuff of
culture.
Somehow we must find a way to engage the pro-gun folks on
this level – the level of their values, beliefs and ideals. What that looks
like and how that is done, I am not sure. However, there was a time when
smoking was considerate sophisticated and cool; now it is seen as pathetic and
pitiable. Culture changed around tobacco; it can change around guns.
It has too
or we will never break the polarization that exists. Simply focusing on facts will not win the day. Political victories in this age of big money seem few and far between. High profiling shootings, not to mention the nightly tragedies in many urban communities have not created a sense of urgency. I am not suggesting we ignore the facts, or stop pursuing political avenues or turn fatalistic toward the daily carnage. However, I am suggesting that unless we can engage American pro-gun culture on the level of ideals, beliefs and values, we will never prevail.
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