As predictable as the fact that there will be another mass shooting in this country again sometime is the inevitability that when it happens talk of controlling gun violence will crop up again. The two seem to go hand in hand. The shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School is a case in point; the media has been rife with talk of controlling gun violence—against people.
But when I saw a recent article about a handgun buyback it hit me: most mass murderers use high-powered rifles—hunting rifles—but the buyback is only for handguns. Why isn’t there a buyback on hunting rifles? Oh, that’s right, hunting is a sacred institution—perpetuated by the likes of Dick Cheney, Ted Nugent and the NRA—no one can touch it. Forget all the violence done to animals, or even to crowds of people, if it means going up against hunting.
Never do you hear a peep about stopping gun violence against non-human animals. It’s as if they are inanimate objects, living targets to practice on. But if we really want to prevent the next school shooting or mass murder of mall shoppers, isn’t it time we address the violence inspired and nurtured by hunting?
Exposing the Big Game 
Have you seen the NRA press response to the Sandy Hook killings? They tried to blame the entire thing on videogames while simultaneously lobbying for armed guards in schools. Really chilling stuff http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZb8EXUrQTo
I saw that…bizarre…
Disturbing.
The issue is PRESSED on Linkedin.
Excellent Point!
Thanks Justin.
Damn right on this one! If guns weren’t so easy to get, and if hunting wasn’t up on some pedestal, this issue wouldn’t be a problem.
Yep, but it’s a shaky pedestal that’s destined to crumble someday…
Having spent the vast majority of my life in the UK I don’t think I have ever heard so much as a suggestion that our society would be safer/happier/better off if the general population had access to firearms. Even the police I know are glad they are not armed.
Maybe our police wouldn’t go around so heavily armed if guns weren’t everywhere…
I have Dear Friends in the UK and Ireland.
All say the same. The World is watching the US 😦
I am ashamed of this Country’s ideals when it concerns the mass slaughter of any Species.
Hoarding is psychologically horrific.
Hoarding.
President Obama was supposed to be “anti gun” but he signed a proclamation for National hunting and fishing day. How does that work.
Exactly. As long as people are just mass murdering wildlife, guns are perfectly acceptable…
Jim,
The vision of the Husky shot to death in front of Babes (6 to 4 years) will never leave my brain. I was six.
First Grade to preschool children waiting for the bus witnessed a maniac killer.
Thank gosh for for Empathy and Stay at Home Moms!
“As long as humans continue to be the ruthless destroyer of other beings, we will never know health or peace. For as long as people massacre animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, those who sow the seed of murder and pain will never reap joy or love.” Pythagoras of Samos, ca. 530 B.C.
If we couldn’t put two and two together on that, I believe man will never understand. Truly man is the king of beasts, for his brutality exceeds theirs.
Thank you, Justin, for your excellent comments, making the connection between the violence happening in human society and the violence against non-human animals under the facade of “sport” or “game management.” Just saw a pro-hunting article with a photo of a 17 year-old girl sitting next to her 3 dead Sandhill Cranes, shot here in New Mexico. The Game Dept. made a big thing about how great “hunter safety courses were for young people.” I have written a letter to the paper on this violence connection in response. The NRA and state game agencies are nervous about the general decline in hunting, so they are pushing for more programs for young people.
Sure, let’s get all those kids out there shooting up the woods, killing unarmed wildlife. Guess, what? We may be seeing these same “younguns” out in the malls and elementary schools next.
It’s time to expose the Violent Culture of Hunting.
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