Marc YachtOregon’s Umpqua Community College erupted in gunfire leaving 10 dead and 7 wounded. The gunman, Chris Harper Mercer, 26, took his own life. Peculiar to this shooting, the gunman murdered people who confirmed they were Christians. Those who said they were not were wounded. The gunman’s connection to the college is unclear.
President Barack Obama quickly arranged a press conference condemning the killings and criticizing those who stand in the way of sensible gun regulation. He further stated that the vast majority of responsible gun owners and remaining citizens favor gun laws. He took to task those who block efforts for gun control and suggested that without congressional efforts he would be standing again in front of the nation expressing sympathy for victims and families in future mass killings.
The president spoke of trillions of dollars spent for security and challenged the media to compare the deaths from U.S. gun violence to terrorism deaths. The Center of Disease Control and Prevention released a report showing that from 2004 to 2013 there were 316,545 deaths from gun violence and during that period 313 deaths from terrorism. He suggests although we fund counterterrorism efforts, no effective efforts are made to curtail gun violence. He encouraged citizens to identify those elected officials blocking needed gun policy and remember their names in the polling booths.
Only an unbalanced citizen would not condemn the killings in this and past shootings. The conflict relates to how to eliminate the danger. Obama mentioned other wealthy nations and their lack of similar tragedies attributed to gun regulation. He expressed his concern that we stand alone in the frequency of these incidents among other nations. There are as many guns as people in the U.S., so it is clear, the President stated, more guns are not the answer. He continued to argue for sensible controls.
Mental health services must be part of the equation to curb gun violence along with sensible gun regulation. The dismantling of the state mental Hospitals plays a large role in the number of seriously mentally ill who roam American streets without treatment. Many are homeless; others live in families with little access to necessary services, and are a potential danger to themselves and the community.
The cost to revitalize our mental health system would be in the billions of dollars but the alternative is to observe the continued carnage. The fight to protect gun rights will swiftly follow this latest tragedy in Oregon. Sadly, one side will cancel out the other leaving the nation with a need to see the opposing groups show more empathy for victims and find a middle road for solutions. Focusing on the gunman’s mental health might prove an approach with minimal controversy.
The suggestion by gun advocates that arming students and professors to make our schools safer would have the opposite effect. More guns on campus creates an oppressive atmosphere and accidental shootings along with students and professors “going for guns” at the slightest provocations would turn our centers for education into tense armed camps.
Bills allowing guns on campus are being considered. Some have had success. There are many reasons against armed campuses: guns on campus would detract from the learning environment; a person with a gun could snap and go on a killing spree; the increased potential for accidental shooting; the carry law does not fit with campus party life; faculty and controversial guest speakers could be intimidated on gun toting campuses; statistically school shootings are rare, arming campuses will make those campuses unsafe; and concerns for shootouts on campus are valid.
More armed security with patrols roaming campuses is another terrible idea and again takes away from the sense of academic freedom that is so important to campus life.
The answer to mass shootings is not more guns but better prevention. Prevention should focus on two areas, effective mental health services and reasonable gun regulation. Without fast action in both areas, Americans can only sit back and await the next tragedy.
Marc Yacht, M.D., M.P.H. is a retired physician living in Hudson, Florida. Column courtesy of Context Florida.
