Gun violence requires societal shift

“We must do something” is a familiar refrain in the never-ending debate over gun control and the seemingly endless rash of mass shooting in the U.S. Unfortunately, nobody is really sure what that something is.

Many who want to see stronger gun laws want to see tighter restrictions placed on high-capacity magazines, bans on certain types of semiautomatic rifles and the closing of the so-called “gun show loophole”, which allows for private sales between individuals with less federal oversight than exists with commercial gun sales. Those who oppose gun laws argue there’s little that can be done legislatively to prevent criminals from committing heinous acts because criminals have no interest in following the law to begin with. Pro-gun advocates say guns can actually help prevent violence and that responsible gun ownership shouldn’t be infringed upon because of the actions of irresponsible lunatics.

Both sides make compelling arguments, which is a big reason why the debate has largely been at a stalemate for the past couple decades. Strong opposition from legislators on both sides of the aisle has stymied new gun law proposals, with most Republicans as well as a handful of Democrats blocking legislation that would be seen as infringing upon the Second Amendment.

So what, then, can be done to keep Americans from walking into schools, theaters and shopping malls and killing dozens of innocent people? How can we as a society stem the gun violence that plagues our big cities and cut the number of suicides caused by the use of firearms?

Those who wish to restrict guns say new laws would do the trick. Not so, say their opponents. What’s needed, they say, is better mental health care and more armed civilians, teachers and students.

They’re both partially right; and they’re both painfully wrong.

Indeed, better mental health care would doubtless prevent some of the killing. And making guns less accessible would probably keep some people from getting their hands on them. But in a nation with more guns in circulation than people, it’s foolish to think any new laws would be anything other than a token gesture with little real impact at the street level.

What needs to happen is far simpler and yet infinitely more difficult than either side’s preferred solution. It’s something that will take a monumental change in the American psyche, and something that, frankly, isn’t likely to happen.

We must turn our backs as a nation on violence in all its forms. Today’s United States is the largest military superpower in the history of the world. We’ve been at war almost continuously since the middle part of the last century. Violent video games are the most popular form of entertainment for our young people, violent action movies are box-office hits and violent sports — football and mixed martial arts — draw the most fans. Shameful levels of domestic violence and sexual abuse haunt all parts of this country, from urban centers to rural villages in Alaska.

None of this will change because we ban guns. None of this will change if more people carry guns.

America seized the title as the world’s most powerful nation by winning World War II, and it’s a title we’ve worn with pride ever since. This unofficial mantle has come with a great price; it has turned us into a nation of people obsessed with violence and power.

We must work together to change this culture. The only way we’re going to keep people from killing one another is to reject the notion that the United States must be the world’s most powerful nation and instead strive to become the world’s most peaceful people.

If we continue to live by the sword, we shall likely continue to perish by it.