Does our culture of gun violence relate to the "Wild West" mentality?

[bluedeathray]

As it turns out, violence in the Wild West was wildly exaggerated. People had to find ways to get along and establish justice without killing everyone.

A very good read that's been around since 2010.

http://www.independent.org/publications/tir/article.asp?a=803

Of course implications run way past the article. Current culture only relates to our past in certain ways.

And it's interesting that the authors found evidence of subsidies and military backup from the government going to many Republican business owners.

[Turbineguy]

1. The thing about the wild west

was that we moved up from it. We are now going backwards. At least some parts of society are.

[hunter]

2. My family is authentic "Wild West" and very reactive against idiots with guns.

Literal "Gun Grabbers" in some cases.

An idiot and his gun were soon parted, even if they were family, maybe especially if they were family.

[Rozlee]

3. Law enforcement back then concerned itself more with property crimes.

Not those against persons. Sheriffs went after horse and cattle rustlers, train and bank robbers and other crimes against private property. Actions like domestic violence, even murder, were often left for those involved to work out. Lawmen considered them "family matters" or personal affairs unless the crime was against a person of high official standing. Child and spousal abuse were a blind spot and if a new tiny plot in the family cemetery popped up, oh well. Counties were large and lawmen traveling long distances on horseback picked and chose their 911's. But, the common people, then like now, have always been on their own. The law exists for the 1% and people in poverty stricken areas are more often preyed on by police forces than protected by them. The poor, the minorities and the challengers of the status quo like Occupy are the new targets of a militarized police force, taking the place of yesterday's Native Americans. Because the 1% knows where the roots of rebellion are most likely to start and threaten their seats of power. And like with the Native Americans, they're going to be vicious about wiping them out.

[Aristus]

4. A lot of towns in the Old West had civic ordinances prohibiting carrying a gun,

concealed or otherwise, within the town limits.

Try doing that today, and the gun-humpers wil start screeching and walking around with guns strapped to their bloated waistlines, bleating about their fucking rights...

[BillyRibs]

5. What did the old Soviets call us?

Buck-a-roos?