America’s pathological attachment to guns and ease of access to them is like a disease that has deeply poisoned our own society and has spread, especially to our neighbors to the south, which are also affected by corruption, gang violence, drug cartels, global warming and poverty.
America’s rate of gun deaths (4.382 per 100K people, according to Everytown, Jan. 26, 2022) is many, many times that of other high-income countries. However, the following countries have us beat in a contest none of us want to win. (source —https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/gun-deaths-by-country)
Per 100k residents in 2019
• El Salvador — 36.78
• Venezuela — 33.27
• Guatemala — 29.06
• Colombia — 26.36
• Brazil — 21.93
• Bahamas — 21.52
• Honduras — 20.15
• U.S. Virgin Islands — 19.40
• Puerto Rico — 18.14
• Mexico — 16.41
American guns are, in part, making this horrific rate of death and suffering possible. And remember, these statistics reflect deaths only, not the injured. According to the following excerpt from Stefano Pozzebon, CNN, in his excellent article published June 7, 2021, American guns are a key driver in the migration crisis. When will the U.S. address it?
About 70% of firearms seized by law enforcement in Mexico and 42% of those seized in Guatemala were first sourced in the U.S. before being trafficked south of the border, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) as of December 2019.
As we look at the film footage of people gathered at our southern border, let us keep in mind, these people are fleeing violence on a scale we cannot imagine and for which we bear some responsibility.
“… let us keep in mind, these people are fleeing violence on a scale we cannot imagine and for which we bear some responsibility.”
That is a true statement. I mean, if we can successfully sue A pharmaceutical manufacturer for making effective prescription painkilling drugs because a small percentage of people abuse them and/or becoming addicted to them, why can’t you sue a gun manufacturer for guns used in atrocities? It all depends on who’s ox is being gored.
By the way ,tobacco companies were sued too ,ironically it wasn’t for causing cancer in millions of us , it was sued because of the cost of healthcare treating the cancer- that the government was partly footing the bill . If I remember right. My history on the tobacco companies poisoning us and ensuing lawsuits by the government may need some correction .
Matter of fact ,if the victims or their families of gun violence across the nation were to ban together, with the backing of the DOJ and the states AG’s , ( like in tobacco)where these crimes have been committed in - there would be big $$$$ in it for attorneys. Wouldn’t it ? Isn’t that what’s it al about? Who thinks who deserves the $$$ from gun violence?
Anyway, the gun manufacturers believe they deserve $ for their assault weapons, don’t they ? Shouldn’t the victims from assault weapons deserve payment too?
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“… let us keep in mind, these people are fleeing violence on a scale we cannot imagine and for which we bear some responsibility.”
That is a true statement. I mean, if we can successfully sue A pharmaceutical manufacturer for making effective prescription painkilling drugs because a small percentage of people abuse them and/or becoming addicted to them, why can’t you sue a gun manufacturer for guns used in atrocities? It all depends on who’s ox is being gored.
Good point Jim.
By the way ,tobacco companies were sued too ,ironically it wasn’t for causing cancer in millions of us , it was sued because of the cost of healthcare treating the cancer- that the government was partly footing the bill . If I remember right. My history on the tobacco companies poisoning us and ensuing lawsuits by the government may need some correction .
These gun manufacturers should be sued.
Matter of fact ,if the victims or their families of gun violence across the nation were to ban together, with the backing of the DOJ and the states AG’s , ( like in tobacco)where these crimes have been committed in - there would be big $$$$ in it for attorneys. Wouldn’t it ? Isn’t that what’s it al about? Who thinks who deserves the $$$ from gun violence?
Anyway, the gun manufacturers believe they deserve $ for their assault weapons, don’t they ? Shouldn’t the victims from assault weapons deserve payment too?
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State-Journal.com’s comments forum is for civil, constructive dialogue about news topics in our community, state, nation and world. We emphasize “civil” at a time when Americans, in the words of the current president, need to “turn down the temperature” of political debates. The State Journal will do its part by more carefully policing this forum. Here are some rules that all commenters must agree to follow:
Absolutely no attacks on other commenters, on guest columnists or on authors of letters to the editor. Our print and online opinion pages are sacred marketplaces of ideas where diverse viewpoints are welcome without fear of retribution. You may constructively critique the ideas and opinions of others, but name-calling, stereotyping and similar attacks are strictly prohibited.
Leeway will be given for criticism of elected officials and other public figures, but civility is essential. If you focus your criticism on ideas, opinions and viewpoints, you will be less likely to run afoul of our commenting rules.
Keep comments focused on the article or commentary in question. Don’t use an article about the Frankfort City Commission, for example, to rant about national politics.
Hyperpartisanship that suggests anyone on the other side of an issue or anyone in a particular particular party is evil is not welcome. If you believe that all Democrats are socialists intent on destroying America or that all Republicans are racists, there are lots of places on the internet for you to espouse those views. State-Journal.com is not one.
No sophomoric banter. This isn’t a third-grade classroom but rather a place for serious consumers of news to offer their reactions and opinions on news stories and published commentary.
No consumer complaints about individual businesses. If you’ve had a bad experience with a private business or organization, contact the Better Business Bureau or the government agency that regulates that business. If you believe the actions of a private business are newsworthy, contact us at news@state-journal.com and we will consider whether news coverage is merited.
Absolutely no jokes or comments about a person’s physical appearance.
No promotion of commercial goods or services. Our outstanding staff of marketing consultants stands ready to help businesses with effective advertising solutions.
If you state facts that have not been previously reported by The State Journal, be sure to include the source of your information.
No attacks on State Journal staff members or contributing writers. We welcome questions about, and criticism of, our news stories and commentary but not of the writers who work tirelessly to keep their community informed. Corrections of inaccurate information in news stories should be sent to news@state-journal.com rather than posted in the comments section.