Ban on firearms is needed

It is inconceivably sad what has happened in the U.S. and in China. Amok is and remains incomprehensible to a human. I can only assume that the fact from the perspective of the perpetrator has a purpose. The rest of us stay back in disbelief and overwhelmed. These deeds do not make sense.

The ban on the possession of functioning weapons by individuals is only a first step. The prohibition of firearms is urgently needed. What needs an individual a gun for?

But the case in China shows that firearms are probably more used in wealthy countries for such horribly crimes. A ban on firearms may therefore be "bypassed". If someone lost it then the choice of the murder instrument is obviously secondary and depends on 'what' is available. If no guns were available anymore then there would still be plenty of opportunities to make a weapon or device.

So it is too shortsighted to simply prohibit firearms for privates. It takes courage and early detection. If such criminals capable of amok are more prevalent in "difficult conditions", then the society must include this "difficult conditions" and not exclude those people. We have to look and care, instead of turning away and marginalize. Society must care and act to prevent.

There will still be members of the community who are a danger. This is cannot to be prevented. But society must also have the right to lock up these members. For a free society, and freedom does not mean that no preventive measures may be taken in the interests of society.

Speaking of freedom: of course there are those who operate shooting as a sport. And not just guns and pistols are needed for that. There are also spears and bows and arrows and crossbows. And I do not think any use should be illegal. But the hurdles have to be higher to abuse these weapons. And there are not only athletes, but also hunters. A tax on ammunition with defined exemptions seems now a reasonable solution with a ban on functioning firearms for individuals who can not justify possession. It would still be possible to collect firearms and go hunting.

My sincere condolences go to the victims and their families, friends and the communities that have been hit by these disasters.