The Good and The Bad

I’ve just received two emails from people who disagree with my views on gun control. They cite a shooting in San Antonio two days after the Newtown disaster, in which a man, after killing his ex-girlfriend in a restaurant, went to a theater next door looking for more victims and was shot by an armed off duty county deputy. They question why this event, which they feel confirms their views on the subject, didn’t receive the same media attention as the Newtown murders. The answer to this is simple. The shooting of one person to save the lives of others while admirable and newsworthy, isn’t in the same league as the killing of 20 preschool children, among others.

They consider the San Antonio incident a strong argument against the need for more gun control. It would be, but only if there was disagreement over the arming of the deputy, a properly authorized law enforcement official. The culprit’s possession of a lethal weapon might be another matter depending how he acquired it. If he purchased it from a licensed dealer after having passed a proper background check then the shooting was simply one of those things. If he bought it at a gun show, over the internet or from a friend, there are those of us who feel a little scrutiny would have been in order.

The gun people seem to think that the best way to reduce the homicide rate is to allow anyone who wants a gun to have one, or even a dozen. The sky’s the limit. In this case marksmanship just might be a consideration. After all we want to be sure the right people get shot. Bystander injuries at Time’s Square came from police shooting at and missing the perpetrator, so we can assume that even New York’s finest might need more practice.

But the big hole in the pro gun argument is that “the best thing to stop a bad person with a gun is a good person with a gun.” Suppose more bad people own guns, and more of them, than good people. How can we tell the difference? I suppose you could just ask them. Maybe the good old honor system would work after all. Just have a good guy box and bad guy box and have would be gun owners check one. You’re next Dr. Jekyll.