Like everyone else, I have been pondering the significance and aftermath of the recent mass shooting in San Bernadino, CA. It hits close to home—literally, in my case, as I was born and grew up in Riverside, just 15 miles from San Bernadino. Among the questions that come to my mind is, What is an appropriate or effective response as a Buddhist?
Since such an event evokes strong visceral emotions, including fear, I thought it might be helpful to report some facts about gun violence in America I have gleaned from my recent readings. Some of these are rather counterintuitive. For example, in the last 30 years the overall incidence of gun violence has dropped rather dramatically. Read more…