Original Event- Sep. 2, 2015 by Eric Niller
A drastic increase of gun violence has been seen in large cities and metropolises. One may argue that this is caused by easy access to guns, the lack of employment, or even the returning home of recent convicts, experts however are arguing an even more bizarre cause. Their claim is that this gun violence has the same effect as the spreading of the flu. Daniel Webster, director of Gun Policy and Research at John Hopkins University, says, "Gun violence works as a social contgation." His theory is that this gun violence spreads through social networks or in other words "One shooting tends to breed another."
I think a lot of things are leading to the gun violence increase. To be completely honest, when I first read the title I thought it was so ridiculous but once I got further into the article it actually started to make sense to me. The way Webster said that it spreads through social networks seems like a pretty concrete hypothesis. I mean we all hear about this shooting and that killing. People are paying attention and some, I'm scared to say, are probably feeling "inspired" to join. It could be prevented by more strict gun access, it could be prevented by more job opportunities, but no matter how hard we try there will always be a threat of violence from some percentage of our population. There is absolutely no way of avoiding it. Because of our culture and history, violence is a prominent factor in our nations past and present. How are we supposed to learn to be better when all we have to learn from is violence and disorder.
website: http://news.discovery.com/human/life/violence-becomes-contagious-like-the-flu-150902.htm
Matthew Homsher 9th- While your opinion is valid there is no way to put any restrictions on gun violence without contradicting the constitution.This issue is always difficult because if we try to limit what guns people can have, then we are also limiting the second amendment. We can't keep people from talking about it either because it limits freedom of speech.The gun violence is growing because people who aren't necessarily criminals are actually protecting criminals whether they believe it or not.I don't know what the solution is, but what we've been doing isn't helping. We need a change.
ReplyDeleteJust because something is in the constitution doesn't mean its morally right, and unquestionable. The 'right to bear arms' is an amendment yes, but does that mean that if I am an American and simply exist I can go have a gun? NO! 12 year olds cant own guns, people with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia shouldn't own guns! Law is MEANT to be questioned. Guns are VERY DANGEROUS. If I went out and bought a gun, I would physically be able to kill as many people as I wanted and thats EXACTLY what people do. I recognize that there are a few legitimate reasons for guns but that doesn't mean we should trust the general population to have high morals.
DeleteInteresting theory that it spreads, and it makes sense with people having so much of an influence on each other. And I agree, there is so much violence prominent in American culture, there will always be triggers for violent people.
ReplyDelete-Isabella Montague 5th period
This makes perfect sense! Its so true! I've never seen an article phrase it like this. Think about it. When mass shootings, murder and suicide are covered by the news, more of these sad and violent acts occur. They're done by 'copycats'. They inspire people because they see "oh someone did this, this is a sign that i should do it too." Also unless the glamorization of guns, violence and death is stopped, no matter how much gun control (which is a wonderful thing) and education, this will still happen in very high rates.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Zoe, just because its in the constitution doesn't mean its always right. Times change and now that these weapons are being used on innocent people, there should be more control on these weapons. Now its not the extermination of guns but the control on buying them like Zoe said. Its interesting to think violence like this could be contagious, and to be honest that really scares me. If someone kills children, someone else could see that and do it as well... that's awful.
ReplyDelete