Wooden crosses in front of Robb Elementary School -Uvalde, Texas. Getty Images
With democracy on the line, passing gun legislation cannot simply be about saving lives by stopping mass shootings. It also must be about protecting our democracy. But Democrats must win elections to eliminate additional causes of mass shootings. If Democrats try but fail to pass even minor legislation, independents and suburban Republican voters who might otherwise vote for Democrats may find them weak and ineffective and vote for Republicans. Similarly, if Democrats join Republicans and pass legislation that only nibbles around the edges of mass shootings, they may discourage the disheartened Democratic base from going to the polls. And, if Republicans can pass minor legislation, it may boost their standing with that part of the Republican base that is uncomfortable with inaction in the face of the increase of mass shootings.
Although the responsibility to stop mass shootings falls on many – parents, teachers, and others in the community, politicians are the only ones who can make laws to help prevent mass shootings. However, politicians have demonstrated that they do not fully understand the causes of mass shootings.
Many Republicans believe that mass shootings occur because of (1) mental illness, (2) unsecured school buildings, and (3) cultural disruptions such as the lack of prayer in schools and legalized marijuana. Alternatively, many Democratic politicians believe that mass shootings are due to (1) the easy availability of guns to 18-year-olds, (2) the presence of a culture that fetishizes guns, and (3) the failure to regulate the possession of guns like assault rifles. Republican solutions do not include limiting access or the availability of guns, even though politicians cannot effectively address many of the possible causes that Republicans blame. For example, stress-related episodes cannot be predicted with background checks.
Although the responsibility to stop mass shootings falls on many – parents, teachers, and others in the community, politicians are the only ones who can make laws to help prevent mass shootings. However, politicians have demonstrated that they do not fully understand the causes of mass shootings.
Many Republicans believe that mass shootings occur because of (1) mental illness, (2) unsecured school buildings, and (3) cultural disruptions such as the lack of prayer in schools and legalized marijuana. Alternatively, many Democratic politicians believe that mass shootings are due to (1) the easy availability of guns to 18-year-olds, (2) the presence of a culture that fetishizes guns, and (3) the failure to regulate the possession of guns like assault rifles. Republican solutions do not include limiting access or the availability of guns, even though politicians cannot effectively address many of the possible causes that Republicans blame. For example, stress-related episodes cannot be predicted with background checks.