Firmin DeBrabander: ‘The Freedom of an Armed Society’

But furthermore, guns pose a monumental challenge to freedom, and particular, the liberty that is the hallmark of any democracy worthy of the name — that is, freedom of speech. Guns do communicate, after all, but in a way that is contrary to free speech aspirations: for, guns chasten speech.

This becomes clear if only you pry a little more deeply into the N.R.A.’s logic behind an armed society. An armed society is polite, by their thinking, precisely because guns would compel everyone to tamp down eccentric behavior, and refrain from actions that might seem threatening. The suggestion is that guns liberally interspersed throughout society would cause us all to walk gingerly — not make any sudden, unexpected moves — and watch what we say, how we act, whom we might offend.

This is how I’ve felt for a long time. Guns = fear. And fear does not promote healthy conversation, debate, or civility. The freedom of speech and expression can only go so far when you know someone who doesn’t like what you’re saying can extinguish you with the pull of a trigger.

(Via Jason Kottke in a post I recommend you read in full.)