Change is slow
The Uvalde, TX school shootings happened slightly over 2 weeks ago and the details are as gory as can be expected. Unfortunately it looks like any meaningful change is unlikely in the short term. As an Indian (and world citizen) I do not understand why guns are essential for everyday life. Looking through the lens of America, I can see how weapons are part of the history and there is a certain deterrence people prefer given the size of the country. Hunting guns also make sense. But I’ve never been able to fathom why civilians need military grade semi-automatic weapons. Such weapons are not for defense. Identification of the children massacred required DNA analysis or clothing - Matthew McConaughey Complete Remarks at White House Press Briefing.
The argument against any gun control laws is that laws don’t solve the problem. That’s actually right. This situation is complex and it is naive to expect a single solution to solve this. Instead multiple changes are required across many areas. Each partial solution will add up to a larger solution. Even I understand that gun regulation does not mean that all guns will be illegal. However lately civil conversations among differing groups are becoming harder.
Every time there is an incident like this, public perception seems to be shifting. The threshold for change is not a simple majority. It will take a lot more to shift policy makers on this.Sometimes I’m afraid that real change will only happen by the next generation. Change is slow.