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?
