Gun violence is a public health crisis?

[WatchManUSA]

In the September 26, 2007 Minneapolis Star Tribune there was an an article that concluded ths - "The epidemic of gun crime among youth is as much a health issue as smoking or drinking, advocates said at the North Side forum."

I'm not going to paste in the whole article but you can link to it and read it yourself.

Link: http://www.startribune.com/local/29777529.html?elr=KArks:DCiUnP::DE8c7PiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiU

I couldn't let it pass without sending a letter to the editor.  Here is what I'm thinking about sending.

Gun violence is a public health crisis?

In the September 26 edition of the Star Tribune Lora Pabst wrote about a community meeting on the North Side discussing “gun violence” labeling it a public health crisis.  Stella Whitney-West, Northpoint Health and Wellness Center CEO, contends that, "We need to bring focus to this issue as a public health problem, because it is loss of life, loss of community."

Give me a break!  This kind of thinking would have us believe that that we can reduce violent crime if we prescribe a medicine, provide therapy sessions and hold Gun Owner‘s Anonymous meetings – “Hello, my name is Sam.”  “Hi, Sam!”  “I haven’t shot a Sig in 378 days.”

What we need is for our elected officials and community leaders to have the tenacity and vision to attack the problem of gun wielding criminals with NO TOLERANCE. 

Richmond, VA initiated a program in 1997 to break the link between guns and drugs, between guns and crime and to help put an end to gun violence.  The program gives local prosecutors, law enforcement agencies and the courts more resources and tools to get gun wielding criminals out of the neighborhoods and off the streets.

The Result: Richmond has reduced crime and specifically reduced gun violence by 40%!

[Hazcat]

Yard signs, pickets, t shirts....

Why do these idiots continue to belive that a slogan can slove a problem?

Arrest the thugs and put them in jail, arm the citizens and put them in the ground!

[shooter32]

It's that saying," guns kill".
No, it's the wack job pulling the trigger

[MikeBjerum]

I argue and argue and argue with people that the gun is only a tool.  The problem with gun violence is a social issue, and if you take away all the guns (successfully) tomorrow you will be writing about knife violence chain violence, bat violence, car violence, etc.  Why can't these "smart" social directors get it through their mind that they are attacking the symptom of the disease and not the actual disease itself?

Somebody's parents spent a million dollars to buy them a PHD in phsycology, sociology, or some such area, and the idiots think they are better at firearms control.  Take their sheepskins away, and put them on an assembly line where they can't hurt anyone.

[ericire12]

A: No, our idiot elected officials are a public health crisis...... They make me sick!

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

"Gun Violence" is another bullsh!t phrase like "Assault weapon". Violence, AKA assaults, is the problem, not the gun knife, club, rock, or boot used in a particular case.
In history's first recorded murder, Cain killed Abel with a rock, shall we register, control, or ban rocks ?

[SwoopSJ]

In history's first recorded murder, Cain killed Abel with a rock, shall we register, control, or ban rocks ?

Well said.  Next thing you know, there will be a background check, as well as, a five day waiting period in order to landscape your yard.   

Swoop

[Fatman]

The CDC used to classify gun deaths as an health 'epidemic' issue. Until a law was passed preventing them from using funds to further this unfounded attack on RTKBA. 

[ccd]

What a joke!! If they were really concerned  with the lives of teens (in their nanny state kind of way) they could save a LOT more lives by not permitting teens to drive until they were 18.

[Big Frank]

If it's an epidemic, can people get shots to immunize them?