35 years ago, the rate of deaths attributable to drunk driving in America was about twice what it is today. Yes, we still have drunk drivers and they still kill. But only half as many as when I was a young man. Now, part of that difference is due to regulation — tougher penalties and the like. But a whole bunch of the change is due to social pressure — making it shameful to drive drunk.
When I was young, it was quite common to laugh about driving drunk. To tell stories about one’s adventures making it home after a night of heavy drinking. It’s not OK anymore. Anyone telling those stories today is looked on with disgust and dismay. We, as a society, have made it shameful to drive drunk.
Let’s make it just as shameful to own an assault weapon. Let’s make it socially unacceptable. Let’s stop pretending to respect the claims that “I need my AR-15 to defend against tyranny”. Let’s make it just as shameful to admit that you own an assault rifle as to admit you watch child porn. After all, child porn exploits children — AR-15s slaughter them.
So here is my pledge, one I invite you to join me in: Henceforth, when anyone in my presence, or in discussions I participate in, admits to owning such a weapon of war — or claims that they need one to “defend against tyranny” I will no longer be silent. I will no longer accept the normalization of weapons of war in civilian hands. I will call them out for the fact that owning such weapons or claiming that there is a legitimate reason for civilians to own such weapons does contribute to the slaughter of children. Let’s make it shameful!