Should we put to rest the NRA (National Rifle Association) myth, "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun"?

Question

BCA6010 · Accepted Answer

It's not really a myth when literally the only things that stop shooters are:

1. Another shooter (good guy with a gun), which according to FBI statistics the low estimate is that this stops about 90% of would-be mass shootings.
2. A cop, security guard, or tactical response team (good guy with a gun), which as Uvalde has shown can't be depended on as a one-stpp solution.
3. The shooter surrenders, which pretty much only happens with politically-motivated domestic terrorists.4. The shooter kills himself (or herself), which happens more often than not in the mass killings, but virtually never in gang violence - a much bigger problem going by numbers but completely ignored by the media. So unless the plan is to just always hope an attacker gets bored or takes their own life and twiddle thumbs in the meantime, it's a very relevant conversation to have. Now in regards to the NRA specifically, I'm not a fan. They are to second amendment advocacy what Wounded Warrior Project is to wounded veterans; they seem remarkably good at doing the bare minimum to be considered a legitimate organization while pocketing or funneling what they raise elsewhere. Because they're the largest and most recognizable interest group on the subject, they get way more attention and credit than they deserve, both good and bad. Now the reality is that simply arming teachers, staff, security, posting more cops, etc isn't going to be an effective one-off permanent solution. Deterrence is very effective and easily proven mitigation strategy, but just like trying to ban guns or specific types of guns, it doesn't address the actual source of the problem. Politicians want simple solutions they can repeat ad nauseum at rallies that energize their base, but that isn't going to work. Ever since school shootings have become a trend in the US, there are several trends in the perpetrators themselves that clearly point toward a combination of mental health decline, the devaluing of human life, and could collectively be summed up with the decimation of society. These kids and young adults almost always grow up without a father figure, get put on some mind-numbing drugs from a young age, live most if not all of their social lives through a screen rather than in the physical company of friends, attend school in an environment that shirks discipline in favor of "letting the children express themselves," and preaches to kids constantly that they should all be categorized into various identity oppressor or victim groups for arbitrary reasons beyond their control, and that angry sometimes violent activism is acceptable. It could and likely will take up the span of an entire generation just to reverse this trend. And let's be honest, this won't be seriously tackled, ever. The biggest benefactor of kids losing their minds is the pharmaceutical industry, which has hands in the pockets of about 80% of the US's elected officials, and outspends the entire gun lobby 25 times over in the course of a year. They ALL know this is a huge factor, but they care more about the funding and the power of their positions than being a public servant, across the board.

DarkWinterNights · Accepted Answer

I have an example from today in fact. Even posted a question about it earlier.

"This lady was carrying a lawful firearm," Hazelett said. "A law abiding citizen who stopped the threat of probably 20 or 30 people getting killed. She engaged the threat and stopped it. She didn't run from the threat, she engaged it. Preventing a mass casualty event here in Charleston."

Source: https://www.wral.com/woman-credited-with-stopping-mass-shooting-at-apartment-complex-in-west-virginia/20306891/

TaylornotSwift · Accepted Answer

I hate the saying. But it has actually happened. Recently infact. Except it was a good girl with a gun not a guy lol. Maybe we should just let women have guns lol. Men say we are to emotional. Yet look at most adult men on the Internet getting emotional over politics and politicians that don't truly give a damn about them. They are just pawns to use to get votes. I am talking for both the left and the right too. The government doesn't care about us. They care about lining their own pockets, their families pockets and the pockets of people who give them money.

AviatorTom · Answer

There have been armed people who have prevented mass shootings by shooting the shooter, but those are not regularly reported (and if they are, not emphasized) because that kind of news doesn't support the liberal media's philosophy that guns are bad.

In addition, there are untold situations where a potential shooter didn't commit the shooting once they recognized some of the people were armed.

BillyBalls · Answer

I guess a good woman with a gun can stop a bad guy with a gun too!!! Notice the bad guy with the gun was black. Is this why this story did not make national news?

WindAtMyBack · Answer

I was a member of the NRA for over 20 years. I don't recall them ever saying that.

However, what a lot of people don't realize is that citizens with guns DO stop and deter VERY large numbers of crimes.

DCooper · Answer

When was the last time you saw an active shooter situation ended by a good guy without a gun?

NamerOfStars · Answer

We should've decades ago; most of the time, what stops a bad guy with a gun is another bad guy with a gun. World War 2, for example.

007kingifrit · Answer

but it happens all the time, a good guy with a gun regularly stops shootings. it's just that this last one saw the cops refuse to stop it

note that mass shootings only happen in places where guns are illegal

Anonymous · Answer

So ending mass violence with force is bad? Or the people who do so aren’t “good guys”? I’m confused here.

WhiteBoyChill · Answer

Either that or when they flee the scene and try getting away like Nikolas Cruz

Anonymous · Answer

Didn't a good guy with guy kill that Hispanic trans kid?

Should we put to rest the NRA (National Rifle Association) myth, "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun"?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Should we put to rest the NRA (National Rifle Association) myth, "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun"?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.