Ahead of Trump’s debate Tuesday night with Vice President Kamala Harris, several Democratic groups issued a joint statement denouncing the watch party. The groups included Voters of Tomorrow, College Democrats of America, Leaders We Deserve, College Democrats of Georgia, Georgia High School Democrats, Young Democrats of Georgia, Path to Progress and Blue Future.
“Just days after students and teachers were murdered in Apalachee High School, Republicans are hosting a debate watch party an hour away at the world’s largest gun store,” the statement said, according to The Guardian. “The Trump team is evil for disrespecting the victims like this — and by continually refusing to support life-saving gun violence prevention policies.”
Okay, first of all, not all gun supporters are terrible people. I’m a gun owner because I live in a shitty neighborhood that would still be shitty regardless of guns. I don’t wanna get knifed by a meth head and I don’t think I’d be able to go toe to toe with one in a knife fight.
Secondly, the biggest reason for gun violence in the US is more of a mental health issue. If people had access to the resources they need when they need them there would be substantially less violence in general. Stop trying to treat the symptom by adding more guns and treat the disease by giving people the help they need. The US isn’t the only country in the world that allows gun ownership. We just don’t have enough regulation and our health care system is a joke.
Lastly, the majority of gun violence in the US comes from people going out of state to a more lax area and buy guns there. This isn’t just an issue between the US and Canada. It’s between states in our own country.
I don’t necessarily disagree with you. Gun control in this country is abysmal. But blaming and shaming people for enjoying something or trying to protect their family is just disrespectful. Generalizing an entire country based upon one specific issue is just ignorant. I consider myself left but I still own a gun. I keep it locked away and I’m the only one that knows how to get it, but still. If I ever need to protect myself when my methed out neighbor starts busting down my door at 3 AM again I’m going to do it. And fuck you for assuming that I’m some kind of obsessed weirdo that glorifies guns.
Guns make you feel safer. The evidence suggests that guns actually increases risks to you and your family.
I think I’m safer from violence over here in a country with fewer guns. The evidence seems to back up my thoughts, also.