Opinion

In different places, but agreeing on guns

Art Markman: There can be common ground on gun control for those pro-gun and those anti. Art Markman: There can be common ground on gun control for those pro-gun and those anti. Photo: Marsha Miller /Marsha Miller Photo: Marsha Miller /Marsha Miller Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close In different places, but agreeing on guns 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

Cooperation is a dirty word in American politics nowadays. Nowhere is that spirit of polarization more evident than in the political debate about firearms regulation.

On one side are media images of people carrying semiautomatic combat rifles in public places. Dozens of states either allow open carry or firearms on a college campus, including Texas, where the Legislature passed a “campus carry” bill that will allow firearms almost everywhere on public university campuses, despite the objections of campus safety experts and the chancellor of the University of Texas System, who happens to be a retired admiral.

On the other side are proponents of stiffer firearms regulations who want to reduce the number of guns in public, stiffen the rules around background checks for people wanting to purchase firearms, and regulate some of the design characteristics of firearms available for public sale. This side exploits tragedies involving firearms to gain emotional leverage.

The two sides of this debate tend to demonize each other rather than seeking common ground.

And all the while, politicians are forced to choose sides. Either they get good grades from the National Rifle Association for not passing any firearms-related laws, or they get a failing grade and the NRA works to ensure they will not be re-elected. This side uses the fear of firearms confiscation as an emotional tool.

Passing effective firearms legislation seems impossible in this environment.

And that is why we are writing this. The political climate suggests that we should never write an article together. One of us is a concealed handgun licensed holder and former owner of a weapons manufacturing facility, and the other favors stricter regulation. We disagree on a number of issues, but even so, we are united in wanting to reduce firearms-related deaths.

Both of us oppose the push for open carry legislation across the country. When firearms are carried openly in public places, it creates an environment of intimidation and fear rather than one of openness and mutual respect. Additionally, by carrying weapons openly, the opportunity for theft or murder to obtain the firearm are increased dramatically.

Both of us also agree that there should be universal instant background checks for anyone purchasing a firearm in any setting. There are unobtrusive methods to minimize the number of firearms sold to known criminals and those with a history of mental health problems.

Likewise, we are both concerned about the implementation of campus carry legislation in Texas. The minds of young men and women on college campuses are still developing. They do not always make the best decisions, as anyone looking back on his late teens and 20s can attest. College is a time when students experiment with drugs, alcohol and sex. Emotions are high, competition is intense, and bullying is present. Adding loaded firearms to that mix is not responsible and certainly does not advance the educational process.

College students are also learning to cope with failure. Increasing the availability of loaded firearms can make it easier for students who are temporarily upset about grades or relationships to harm themselves or others out of impulse or depression.

That doesn’t mean an armed response to a shooter is inappropriate. The sooner an active shooter is engaged, the better. It is up to the college administration to fill security needs with armed and trained personnel.

We offer this column as a plea. Regardless of whether you own a firearm, it is important to take a stand against laws that do not promote safe and sensible firearms ownership. After all, most firearms owners want effective, unintrusive firearms laws.

Unless we take it upon ourselves to work together even when we disagree, the political process will be dominated by powerful lobbying groups that do not speak for either side.

Art Markman is a cognitive psychologist and director of the Human Dimensions of Organization program at the University of Texas at Austin. Mike Miller owns AceCustom Engraving in Round Rock and previously owned Calico Weapons in Bakersfield, California.