1hundredsixty8

The day after yet another mass shooting.

This is not another anti-gun screed. I have previously noted my own positions: There are legitimate uses for firearms such as hunting or target shooting; people should be able to own firearms. (Disclosure: We own two shotguns and a .22 caliber rifle, all kept at our New Mexico residence.) I do believe that gun ownership should be somewhat regulated in order to prevent the obviously-unfit from obtaining weapons. I also recognize that criminals, by definition, would no more obey laws on firearms ownership than they do any other. That said, a prudent approach to gun ownership might be as simple as demonstrating competence, as we do with licenses to operate motor vehicles; or doing away with concealed carry permissions.

One of the great things about this country are its incongruities. We see ourselves as the world’s preeminent democracy despite evidence to the contrary. On the precipice of having the first woman be the nominee for President of a major party, for example, it is notable that several other democracies managed to elect a woman as leader long  before us. Racism, sexism, economic inequality-the list goes on- persist in the land of liberty and justice for all, where “all men are created equal.” It is the grand achievement of American sophistry that our leaders tell us repeatedly how exceptional we are.

Where we are exceptional is in death by firearm. In its landmark decision in District of Columbia v. Heller (2008), the Supreme Court presented a tortured reading of the 2nd Amendment that is now NRA cant. A key aspect of Heller is citing of an earlier Court decision (United States v. Miller (1939)) which held that the type of firearms individuals can possess are those “in common use for lawful purposes.” Laws vary from state-to-state but it is a relatively straight-forward process to be licensed to carry a handgun in states such as Florida and Georgia.

So, why are certain types of knives banned? If they are considered “arms”, why the prohibition? Is a switchblade inherently more lethal than a 9mm semi-automatic pistol? And, what about knives used in food prep or fishing and boating? If I were to muddy the water with facts, I could point out that, according to FBI statistics for murders in 2013, of the 12, 253 victims, 8,454 were killed by firearm, 1,490 by “knives or cutting instruments.” A significant number of murder by knife are doubtless committed with a kitchen knife; should I be concerned that my beloved 12” Sabatier chef’s knife or the 8” cleaver made in Communist China that I purchased in San Francisco in 1976 would subject me to arrest if I carried them on my person? Or, should I not carry my Swiss Army knife when I head into New York City?

Restrictions on knives vary from state to state. In general, knives described as weapons cannot be carried outside the home. Some states differentiate between open- and concealed-carry of knives in much the same way as they do handguns.

There has never been a mass murder committed by a solo perpetrator using a knife. The preponderance of semi-automatic firearms and large magazines enable one person to do a lot of killing in a very short time.

We ban knives and do not regulate guns.

IDGI