Gun Control - Society’s Ethical Balance of Safety and Freedom

Ethic Society of Hilton Head Island
February 7, 2024
Moderated by Paul Weismantel
Speaker: Bruce Oliver

Sergeant Bruce Oliver has over 40 years of law enforcement experience and has worked for the University of South Carolina Beaufort police department for the past 14 years.

Sgt. Oliver stresses his commitment to personal gun safety, and therefore he is always ready for a gun scene (such as someone wanting to take his gun) when he carries his gun.

How does law enforcement think about gun control?

A gun is a tool similar to fire extinguishers, first aid kits, or life jackets.

Sgt. Oliver does not support more gun laws but believes in enforcement of current laws and prosecuting law breakers to the fullest extent of the law. He believes the only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. He believes there is no such thing as “gun crime” because criminals commit crimes, not guns. Also there is no such thing as “gun rights” because citizens have rights, not guns.

How can school shootings be stopped or reduced?

Every school should have a School Resource Officer. Every school in Beaufort County has an SRO.

Threat assessment is the best practice: identifying a potential school shooter and intervening before they can do harm.

An attacker profile shows - 97% are male, 74% come from broken home or are fatherless, 66% are motivated by a perceived grievance or have been bullied. 96% used firearms while 29% used explosive or incendiary devices. Guns most often come from shooter’s own home. Shooters most often select a specific date, usually in April or June and some tell friends not to come to school that day. 60% have targeted a specific classmate while 28% have targeted a specific administrator or staff member..

College Campus Carry Laws - Concealed carry permit holders in approximately 14 states are allowed to carry firearms on campus. (South Carolina is not one) Some States allow campuses to decide on their own. Some states have declined open carry.

33 States allow armed teachers in school, including South Carolina.

SC law prohibits weapons (guns, knives, blackjacks, pipes) in SC schools except for law enforcement and armed teachers.

Sgt. Oliver is against the use of bump stocks, Glock switches, and ghost guns, (no serial #). He also is against a law to punish people who have had guns stolen from their vehicles. It is not realistic to think a gun owner would report the theft of a gun knowing he would be prosecuted.

Sgt. Oliver reports there are many weapons used for homicides, including handguns, other weapons, knives, hands and fists, blunt objects, rifles, and shotguns .Europe has shown an increase in acid and knife attacks. People will find a way to hurt people. There is evil in the world.

Sgt. Oliver believes that Red Flag Laws, which allow removing guns from those deemed dangerous, is good to a degree. 21 states have enacted Red Flag Laws, but not SC.

The Supreme Court Heller decision stated that individuals have a right to firearms for purpose of self-defense in home.

SC Open Carry Law allows concealed weapon owners to carry a handgun if they are at least 21 years old, obtain a permit after taking 8 hours of training and pass a background check.

Private gun sellers do not have to conduct a background check but licensed gun dealers must do so.

Audience Questions for Consideration

1. How can we impact the availability of high capacity weapons that contribute to the mass shootings we are all too accustomed to?

Discussion revolved around addressing mental health conditions and a ban on assault rifles and long guns.

The recent Crumbly case found a parent criminally responsible for her son’s committing murder at his school. The parents knew the son was high risk yet purchased a gun and did nothing to stop the shooting.

2. Whether it be handgun violence from family or friends disputes, individual rage, or gang shootings, is uniform registration, age restrictions, and training requirements effective deterrents in reducing the carnage?

Discussion revolved around mass shootings in other countries being more than imagined, immunity for gun manufacturers, and the NRA and politicians. Should we have uniform registration, age restrictions, and training requirements?

3. Are limitations in the collection and volume of weapons and or ammunition a worthwhile intrusion into the activities of individuals exercising their “Second Amendment” rights to bear arms? What ethical interests does this serve?

Discussion: Anything we do that impedes rights is for the public good and responsibility and leads to safety. Canada has no second amendment but guns are tightly controlled. Will gun owners or family members be a victim of gun violence in their own home? There are many individuals at the ready for any intrusion by government. Would limitations in the collection and volume of weapons infringe on rights? Some think the second amendment should be changed.

Other Discussion

Schools need to pinpoint dangerous kids who are grievance collectors. Sgt. Oliver says school counselors are now crisis counselors. He also supports additional gun training and legal consequences for improper gun storage. Car owners have responsibility and so must gun owners.