The last three weeks have put us through the entire gamut of emotions – terror, grief, outrage. But there’s also one unmistakable and common mood emerging:
Resolve.
Based on the hundreds of emails I have received from readers since the fatal mass shooting at Michigan State University, people are exhibiting something that transcends despair and frustration over this particularly American disease.
I wrote last week about the need to act, and that led to an outpouring of thoughts from readers about where they believe the roots of the problem lie, and suggestions on where priorities must be placed. The responses were marked by two things – the deep sense of conviction behind people’s concerns and ideas, and an encouraging level of constructiveness.
Most who wrote were realistic about how hard it will be to change things. But there was an undeniable sense that things must be changed and can be changed.
“I believe we need to break this up into manageable pieces – keep small changes coming,” said reader Rick S. “Too much too soon and everything gets frozen in debate.”
I responded to everyone who wrote by asking them to state their personal first priority so I could get a more refined sense of sentiments on where to place emphasis.
A good many took up the challenge and while this is not scientific, I think the roots of an action plan and a sense of priority are here.
Legislation and law enforcement – 40 percent of replies
This is a broad category, with two distinct camps: Those who recommend more laws that would restrict access to, purchases of and types of guns; and those who believe we need to enforce existing laws with more vigilance and consistency and perhaps even stiffen penalties for those who break gun laws. Two big ones: A call for a repeal or changes to the Second Amendment and stripping lawsuit immunity from gun manufacturers.
Interestingly, no one who wrote recommending repealing existing gun legislation.
Address social and moral issues – 17 percent of replies
Several distinct themes emerged in this broad area: That Americans have turned away from God and moral principles; that families are failing to provide structure for young people; and that a combination of social media and violent media (movies, streaming, video games) have created a more violent and detached culture among Americans.
Politics and politicians – 14 percent of replies
My column last week stressed the need to hold politicians accountable. Although this was the third most-cited priority, there were some clear themes that emerged: Form a well-funded advocacy group to counter the NRA; pass campaign finance reform to cap contributions and provide more transparency; and hold candidates for office accountable for their stands on gun violence and firearm laws.
Address mental health issues – 13 percent of replies
A lot of people addressed this issue – 30 readers – but I was slightly surprised that it fell where it did among these ranked priorities. And of all of the main themes, this was the one with the fewest specific suggestions. Perhaps it feels too sprawling, too unsolvable. The most common idea was related to “red flag laws” to act on firearm ownership by mentally ill people, but I added that under the “legislation” category. The next most common response had to do with funding for mental health programs.
Prevention, protection and education: 10 percent of replies
This was a broad spectrum, at least the way I chose to group it. Suggestions ranged from “hardening” public buildings from attack, arming more people, running more public education campaigns on firearm safety and investing in police resources and tactics.
Pull together like-minded people: 6 percent of replies
This was the smallest piece of the pie, but it stood out to me. There’s a sense among many of you that you alone don’t have the answer or a sense of where to start, but that if we pull together and are committed as a nation – politicians, social scientists, health professionals, concerned parents – we can make progress toward an answer.
Many of you cited how the country educated people and enacted reforms that reduced the hold of tobacco companies, held them accountable and lowered deaths; how Mothers Against Drunk Driving was able to stigmatize drinking and driving and get laws passed and toughened; how consumer safety advocates ended up making cars and highways safer.
A reader named Mark stripped the emotion from it: “I am an engineer. I am looking at a mass shooting as a process with multiple paths and solution development as a well-designed and timely process. Go big/comprehensive. The pieces need to work and work together. Effectively dialogue with Michiganders throughout solution development.”
Exactly: A problem to be solved. And I feel this exercise in constructive dialogue is a good start. Stay tuned for more.
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John Hiner is the vice president of content for MLive Media Group. If you have questions you’d like him to answer, or topics to explore, share your thoughts at editor@mlive.com.