Gun lovers are fond of saying “Guns don’t kill people, people kill people” and it’s generally true. Sure, a loaded gun could fall off a table during an Earthquake or dance party, discharge itself on hitting the floor and kill somebody, but it’s not the usual case. I saw once on Monk how a monkey was charged with murder, but he was being framed, of course and, besides, that’s fiction, but it could happen. And there are lots of cases where very young children shoot people. While they are technically people, they are still not very good at it, and you can’t really blame them.
Unironic American Family
So, in those cases, perhaps, but most of the time the guns, themselves, are blameless. Even though they are used for horrific murders they, themselves, are dispassionate. The gun feels no thrill in the kill. They are not even aware that it happened. Consciousness. Inanimate objects don’t have it.
Guns are every bit as disinterested as hurricanes, or volcanoes. Sometimes you’re just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
But, let’s think about that for a second. If we were to ban all guns, the guns themselves would not be the least bit upset. They would not feel that their rights have been infringed upon, because they have no concept of rights. Only the people who own guns would be upset.
And, it’s people who kill people. Let them be upset.
An apology and a correction: A bit over a month ago I wrote a column about a murderer who wanted his tattoo (which said ‘murder’) removed before his trial, and my beef with the story was that they gave sort shrift to the victim, who they identified as Damon Galliart.
One person left a comment pointing out that I got the name wrong. The murdered man was Damon Galyardt. He was 25 years old. The reason I’m just commenting on this now is because I just found out about it now. The comments don’t go in under my blog, but go straight to wordpress, I have no idea why, and I’d never even thought to look there.
Anyway, glad to know people are reading and thanks for pointing out my error.
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