What Would Happen if America got rid of Their Guns?
By Morgan
@OneOfMany (12150)
United States
March 22, 2018 6:33pm CST
Okay, I often see these posts around here, and how people wish (both domestic and abroad) how we'd lose our guns completely (without any degree of wiggle room). These people all have good intentions, but for the life of them, really can't see how that could possibly be bad. Let me tell you.
Gun related crime would go up. Maybe not immediately, and probably not at the schools where everyone is focused the most right now, but on the streets. Drugs are illegal. That doesn't make them magically unavailable. Gun trafficking would still bring firearms into the country and the criminals would be the ones with the advantage.
According to statistics, guns used in violent crimes have been going down over the last 20 years. Sure, the media hypes it up and we see an increase of reports and violence, but things have gotten safer out there. Why? It's difficult to rob someone with a gun if they have one too. Although, this is not the best argument for my case, which brings me to my next one...
Population control for wildlife. Oh, didn't expect that one, did you? In fact, most people are pretty blind to that being a factor. Why? Because it's never mentioned that most of the gun owners in the United States of America utilize their tools properly and respectfully. For hunting purposes, it's a big industry. But it's not about just going out for a prize winning deer. It's about thinning the population. Not only them, but coyotes, bear, snakes, even various rodent species (groundhogs and squirrels), have their populations thinned with hunting seasons.
The result in a gunless America? The interaction between the previously thinned species goes up. Let's focus just on the deer for a moment (info pulled from one of the many sites that discuss the details):
"There are approximately 1.5 million deer-related car accidents annually
The cost of these accidents results in over $1 billion dollars in vehicle damage
There are around 175-200 fatalities every year and 10,000 injuries"
Have you ever hit a deer? I have once, and one ran into the side of my car once. The repair bills are a pain, and the animals usually die as a result of their injuries... and I was looking for them! What would happen if they aren't thinned out?
I'm sure the populations would explode. The stats would go up, and far more people would be dying each year to the deer-related deaths. Double, maybe even triple the current stats. Then there are the coyotes. Currently in this area, coyotes are becoming more bold and aggressive. They are contained in the wilderness for the moment, but if their packs were larger, they'd be in the towns in a heartbeat, eating pets and attacking humans. Bear already cause lots of damage, and that would increase. Sure, you'd have the coyotes regulating the deer a little, but not enough to make a dent.
Increased groundhogs would make fields a mess for farmers. Trying to smoke them out is highly ineffective, and traps are difficult to deal with. One sniper can easily take out a whole field of the pests. Then there are squirrels, which are super cute, but can overwhelm areas with their presence. And then snakes that have their populations checked once in a while would expand rapidly, and Timber Rattlesnakes are not something you'd want children being bitten by, but they'd be in the neighborhoods just as easily, once their populations explode as they tend to do.
But by all means, take away the guns, and see this mess with your own eyes! Not that my hunter neighbors would ever let you take them... but you can try. If you wish for gun control, then perhaps approach the areas where it would be separate from the places they are still used and needed.
Just for a slight hint for that control: Over 50% of gun related deaths in the United States is in suicides. Large amounts of total gun violence is attributed to handguns, and occurs in poor urban neighborhoods where gang violence is the main contributor. Mass shootings (the most popular for the media to report) represents a very small percentage of gun-related deaths. In 2013, of all the deaths for that entire year, guns were responsible for 1.3% of them (you were 98.7% likely to die through some other means, such as 1.4% due to traffic accidents. Car-control, anyone?)
22 people like this
5 responses
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
23 Mar 18
Every point you make is absolutely perfect @OneOfMany . I just wish more people would use logic and common sense in regards to this.
2 people like this
@OneOfMany (12150)
• United States
23 Mar 18
Thank you! I skimped out on the first set of details though. I couldn't remember where to find the article I read to support my words with the numbers.
One thing I didn't bring up with wildlife increase (particularly with coyotes) is that the spread of ticks and Lyme disease would be astronomical. There would be a rapid increase in cases every year.
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
24 Mar 18
i have no doubt crime would rise..people would still kill each other,they'd just use some other means.most of the murders in my area are commited by knives or axes..
2 people like this
@1creekgirl (41427)
• United States
24 Mar 18
That was an insightful post. Thank you for the common sense point of view.
1 person likes this
@OneOfMany (12150)
• United States
24 Mar 18
@nela13 If you read my article you'd see why I think it would be a bad idea. :P
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (35608)
•
29 Mar 18
The NRA is looking for a spokesperson. Just kidding! A very insightful argument in support of the 2nd amendment of which I am in agreement. You make many good points. Unfortunately, people are a very emotional species and do not always think rationally on controversial issues. Add the mainstream media to the mix who sensationalize these mass shootings and you have a powder keg of protests for and against. Very thought provoking post
1 person likes this
@OneOfMany (12150)
• United States
29 Mar 18
I actually don't like the NRA. They are always calling, asking for money. And when you tell them no, they don't stop.
Thank you for your supportive comments. :)
1 person likes this
@OneOfMany (12150)
• United States
30 Mar 18
@dgobucks226 Truthfully, I don't pay attention to what the NRA says or does. I just know that they are out there doing things. I have gotten to the point with telemarketers that I rarely answer my phone.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35608)
•
29 Mar 18
@OneOfMany We could not like many organizations that call for donations. It could wind up being quite a do not like list. I agree that I dislike phone calls from any organization asking for money. Although I would not make it a criteria for not supporting them. I get many donation requests from the American Heart Association, MS, Cancer Society etcetera... They are good organizations who deserve support from those financial able. If you dislike the NRA on their policies that is another story and of course, your opinion is respected here.
1 person likes this