Gizmology Offers No Easy Way Out A User Problem To Stop Shootings, People Must Change.
Last week, Congress happily watched another round of gun control legislation collapse. But a campaign issue was born and for that, the politicians are delighted. Now, Democrats can wail that Republicans and the National Rifle Association want children to bleed in the schoolyards. Republicans can sneer that Democrats want to pistol-whip law-abiding Americans with ineffectual regulations.
OK, so all the politicians provided us was … more politics.
Where should Americans turn, then, for a quick, simplistic solution to the frenzy over school violence?
How about technology? If Big Brother can’t be our savior maybe microchips can. Firearms researchers have been working to develop “smart guns.” Internal computers might prevent accidents or stop unauthorized users from firing these weapons.
Nice theory. But in practice there are bugs.
“Excuse me, Mr. Bank Robber, but would you kindly freeze while I reboot my pistol?”
“OK, son, now as soon as the deer enters the clearing, enter your password and click OK on the `Safety’ pull-down menu. No! Don’t click there! (Bang) Aieeee …”
Even if they worked, “smart guns” merely would add to the supply of weapons.
By definition, guns are supposed to be dangerous. Two million times a year, law-abiding Americans use firearms in self-defense, stopping crimes. Every time politicians debate another futile gun regulation they stimulate gun sales and add to the anti-government cynicism. Criminals ignore regulations and would circumvent “smart” technology, too. The United States does not need smart guns or smarter regulations. It needs smart people. Free people who act responsibly.
In the post-Littleton frenzy, Americans have blamed everyone except the killers and talked of changing everything except themselves.
There is a better way. Gun owners can learn and practice firearms safety. Hollywood and gun makers can stop promoting bloodshed. Parents can provide the intervention troubled adolescents need. Political leaders can challenge us to voluntarily shoulder our social responsibility - for without it, freedom dies.