MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR: The Debate on Gun Control

Today, President Obama unveiled his administration’s plan to address gun violence, calling on Congress to ban military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. This move will inevitably draw the ire of the National Rifle Association and other gun advocates, citing the Second Amendment right to bear arms. Last week, I invited HNN readers to weigh in on the gun control debate, and there were a variety of responses. Some argued that, as humanists with concern for human welfare, this should be one of our priorities. Others say this is a debate best left to other organizations. But very few opposed more gun restrictions—reminding me that humanists tend to agree on most issues (even if we may passionately disagree on what to call ourselves as people who don’t believe in a god!). Whatever your views, the purpose of any “Humanist Debate” is to engage our readers and, hopefully, get you thinking on the complexity of issues that affect all of us as United States citizens. We’re humanists—we have an opinion on everything.

Maggie Ardiente
Editor, HNN