Strategic Influence and Guns

It’s a sensitive subject now – guns in America.  And the way a person comes to the issue often depends on a number of strategic influences – so it’s a key topic to explore the world of “influence.”

The topic has arisen again in our social dialogue because of the most recent violence in Newtown, CT.  The fact that so many small children lost their lives drew national – even international – attention.  Many of those who were touched by this terrible event have searched for ways to move forward, to deal with the tragedy and grief.  A lot people, for example, moved to the gun issue.  

This was not the case for everyone.  Some migrated towards the legal obligations around reporting imminent threats to children, for example, or mental health, or even genetics.  But the resounding story, these days, is on the gun issue.  And it’s loud and furious, with Vice President Biden interviewing  factions and pushing for more “research” and President Obama making his own statement with his goals.

What’s always interesting is where the lines are drawn and what happens that may not have been predicted.   For example, while the debate escalates, gun sales are booming – as those who are fearful of what may happen “buy now” in panic mode.  In fact, some are saying “manufacturers are having a tough time keeping up with the high demand for guns and ammunition seen around the country.”

And a new “influence” group has taken shape because of  Newtown:  children.    They can’t vote and they can’t buy guns, but they’ve been introduced to the debate on both sides, bringing a new “twist” on an issue that’s been hotly debated by adults.  Children are influencing the discussion – with their letter-writing campaigns – as well as being influenced – through programs that try to help them deal with their fears. 

So the same questions are being asked as have been asked in the past, with new players and influencers.  Whatever the results, the influence of the events in Newtown have surely been felt by many throughout the country.  And because of the influencers on both sides of the debate – it will, no doubt, be a long and drawn-out process.