Consider the nail

Consider the nail.

The purpose of a nail, what it does, is to hold together two pieces of wood. The hammer does not perform that function, nor does the hand wielding the hammer. The fact that nails can conceivably be used in other ways does not alter their primary function.

The purpose of a gun – any kind of gun – is just as singular: what it does is propel a projectile into a body, human or otherwise, in order to inflict injury or death. The fact that it can also be used to shoot at some other object (usually a practice target, the purpose of which itself is to improve accuracy in performing the primary purpose) is irrelevant and does nothing to alter the primary function.

It is just as illogical to say “guns don’t kill people” as it is to say “nails don’t hold two pieces of wood together”.

But the intention behind the action is all that matters, right? We can’t blame the existence of guns. Well, let’s talk about intent.

The nail and the gun are both inanimate objects. Will a nail join together two pieces of wood without the intervening force of the hammer and the intent behind the hand holding it? Of course not, just as a gun is unlikely in the extreme to perform its function without the movement of its own hammer and the intent behind the finger on the trigger. Both require intention, aim, and purpose. Wait, I’m making the argument for you, you say? It’s all about intent!

Well, yes. But not in the way you’re thinking.

Anyone with a mind to destruction can inflict injury or even death on another with an almost infinite number of intervening “tools”. Even our own bodies and most inanimate objects found in nature can be used to injure, maim or kill a living being. Weapons are different. They are designed and manufactured to inflict harm. That’s what weapons do, that’s what they are. The manufacturers of Weaponry, being in the business of making products to be sold for a profit, want to sell more than their competitors. They make their product more powerful, more efficient, and more lethal in order to do so. That is their intent. And gun manufacturers have completely taken over the National Rifle Association (originally little more than an enthusiast’s club, and not the national lobbying powerhouse we’ve known since the 1970s) and through lobbying efforts have successfully convinced many Americans that they need weapons that are more powerful, efficient, and lethal simply to protect themselves. And they’ve successfully convinced many politicians that any attempt to limit the production and sale of these weapons is an attempt at limiting the rights of the citizenry. It’s brainwashing – the control of public opinion and policy – and it is the intent of the gun lobby; it’s what they do.

The problem is not that guns exist, or even that so many people seem obsessed with them. Hunting animals is a legitimate activity, and one which fills a long-standing and legitimate function in human society. One may not approve of hunting for sport, or may choose to oppose hunting on general moral grounds, but it’s easy to simply opt out, to not participate in that activity. No harm done. The problem is that guns that aren’t designed for hunting game, but that are instead designed specifically to kill large numbers of human beings as quickly as possible, are also available. Now, presumably these other humans are also similarly armed, and out to kill us as well. That’s why our armed forces and law enforcement organization legitimately carry such weapons.

Consider the gun: fires a projectile into a body in order to injure or kill.

Consider the gun manufacturers: will stop at nothing to continue to sell its products.

Consider the gun lobby: will attempt to control our legislators by any means necessary.

Now consider the nail again. The nail does what it does, because that is its purpose. As do the gun, its manufacturers, and its apologists.

Consider all of that, and the situation, the climate, that we find ourselves in in America today. Consider the real reasons behind what’s going on. And consider yourself, your friends, and your family.

What will we do?