As a lifelong hunter, I vividly recall the pride of taking my first deer at thirteen on my grandfather’s south Texas ranch. My mother’s venison recipe made the experience even sweeter. Taught by my father, who learned from his, I gained not only skills like gun safety and respect for animals, but also a deep appreciation for the outdoors, contented solitude, and a heightened awareness of nature.
The vast majority of hunters respect the law and cherish the camaraderie of sharing stories. We enjoy the tranquility of “Penn’s Woods” (B.J. Small) and the bonds formed with fellow sportsmen.
We even enjoy telling hunting tales; similar to fish tales, only further from the truth!
In conversations with fellow hunters, I’ve found none who use assault rifles. None. These military weapons, designed for rapid-fire and maximum tissue damage, are unsuitable. Their high-velocity bullets and lack of precision make them a poor choice for ethically harvesting an animal.
Did you know that the 1994-2004 assault weapons ban reduced mass shooting fatalities by 70% (Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery), demonstrating their impact on gun violence. Importantly, this ban, and no subsequent legislation, has EVER targeted hunting weapons.
100% of us want mass shootings to stop. 100%. A recent Johns Hopkins report, two years in the making, treats gun violence as a public health crisis, like smoking, infectious diseases, and suicide. In the decade following the expiration of the federal ban on assault weapons, mass shootings increased by 347%. We ALL want to end mass shootings.
There were over 48,000 deaths from gun violence in 2022. That’s 132 deaths every day.
Since 2013, gun deaths among children ages 1-17 have increased by 106%, accounting for more children’s deaths than car crashes, overdoses, or cancer. Data driven, public health policies have worked in seatbelt use, combating disease epidemics, and smoking.
What can we do about this public health epidemic of gun violence? I envision a four-pronged approach.
First, invest in preventative measures through Community Violence Intervention to increase awareness of bullied and outcast teens, share gun violence education, and offer emotional support via in-school therapists and counselors.
Second, it’s crucial to pass Child Access Prevention Laws. These laws mandate secure, separate storage of firearms and ammunition. This reduces both suicides, as access is restricted, and accidental gun deaths, the leading cause of death for children aged 1-9. Sadly, those billboards depicting a child reaching for a loaded gun reflect a tragic reality.
Third, quickly and temporarily remove firearms from persons determined to be at elevated risk for firearm violence.
Fourth, call for a new ban on assault weapons and large capacity magazines.
The unimaginable happened at Sandy Hook Elementary on December 14, 2012. Imagine your beautiful 1st grader or your partner who’s an educator going to school expecting a great day. Then, just two hours later they are dead alongside 24 other innocents (some of whom had to be identified via DNA because their bodies were so badly destroyed); shot by a mentally ill young man with an AR-15 assault rifle.
I leave you with two questions. When the next mass shooting occurs, why couldn’t it happen in our community?
And finally, shouldn’t we all try SOMETHING to advance legislation to reduce the chances of another tragedy?
Thanks for your thoughtful article. I learned to hunt in Alaska and always enjoyed my trips in search of moose and caribou to be highlights of the year. Being in the wilderness was the experience!
Assault weapons have no place in our communities.
Johnny and I are working on his hunter safety course so he can begin hunting deer this year. I suggested that he give you a call, as he considers you a caring mentor.
Thanks for your thoughtful and informative article. I too grew up hunting with my Dad and brothers. Those days are deeply imbedded in my memories.
I agree that we must ban assault weapons and high compacity magazines. Too many have already been murdered in the misguided right to bear arms.