|
| Alex;
>There is a lot of truth to the saying that "If guns are outlawed, only
>outlaws will have guns." The problem with banning guns is that you
>can't stop the criminal element from obtaining them.
Exactly. I'm not making this up, but guns have been banned in the city
of Chicago for almost 20 years. Less crime and violence? Don't bank
on it! The gangs still have guns.
What is the cause of the gang problem? I wish I knew. You touched on
several theories, lack of strong families, poverty, no opportunities,
and lack of plain old morals. I think all of these are contributing
factors, but humans are "pack animals" by nature. We feel more secure
with a group. . .look at what goes on in schools, from kindergarten on,
we're forming groups. The gang is basically a group with an agenda:
crime. Crime will get them money they otherwise would not have.
It must be very tempting; why work your butt off for minimum wage at a
fast food joint when you can join a gang and make some real dough? The
crappy jobs kids like me held were just a step to climb into college
and a decent job; kids in a gang culture don't usually have that
chance, though I was in an urban college with former gang members.
What got them out of the gang? Several of them I met had lost brothers
or close friends to gang warfare, and they wanted out of that life.
How did they get into college? Over 20 years ago, there were
government grants for low income kids; that has gone the way of a lot
of government programs: cut, cut, cut. What it's like today, I don't
know.
Ok, thanks for use of the soapbox! Next?
Sylvia
|
|