The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Guns don't kill people - Americans do, says Michael Moore

The Bowling For Columbine director responds to the Aurora shootings.

By Helen Lewis Published 22 July 2012 17:12

Michael Moore. Photo: Getty Images

In the wake of the shootings at Aurora last week, many have been waiting to hear from Michael Moore, who has long spoken out against the effects of high gun ownership and relatively lax gun control in America, combined with what he has described as a "climate of fear".

Today, Moore has responded with a series of thought-provoking tweets.

Total # of gun murders in Japan each year? Somewhere between zero and 7. Guns don't kill people - Americans kill people.

— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) July 22, 2012

Of all the gun murders in the 23 richest countries combined, just ONE of those countries is responsible 4 80% of them. Who kills ppl? We do.

— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) July 22, 2012

So what is it about US? Yes, gun laws would help. But there'd still be thousands of us still wanting 2 kill someone. Why here&not elsewhere?

— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) July 22, 2012

Moore then posted a link to his 2002 documentary, Bowling for Columbine, saying it was "his answer" to those questions:

He added on his Facebook page:

Having spent much time in the Aurora/Denver/Littleton area over the years, I am too sad about this most recent tragedy to comment at the moment, other than to say this:

I fear anthropologists and historians will look back on us and simply say we were a violent nation, at home and abroad, but in due time human decency won out and the violence ceased, but not before many, many more died and the world had had its fill of us.

Thoughts, prayers, and whatever comfort can be found for the victims and their families...

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View the discussion thread.

56 comments

Mon, 2012-08-06 22:48 — mbrecker (not verified)

If he's for gun control, why is he a lifetime NRA member?

Thu, 2012-07-26 03:02 — Frances Rowe (not verified)

Some back ground research on James Holmes ... another underpants bomber? Who are the big players in weaponry in the US?
http://reddirtreport.com/Story.aspx/23080

Mon, 2012-07-23 22:58 — Turnip Ghost (not verified)

"Nanananananananana-FatMan!"

Tue, 2012-07-24 06:04 — Wanting2escape (not verified)

300 million people live in the US among the world's 6 billion. That is, 5% of the world's people live in the US, and that 5% buys 40% of the world's drugs. We are all drugged up.

What I would like to know is why these mass killings in the US are almost always committed by white men. Is there a genetic component to the multitude of factors that lead certain individuals to "go postal" i.e. commit mass murder.?

Mon, 2012-07-23 21:30 — Elmerivt (not verified)

like Earl responded I am alarmed that a mother can profit $5270 in 1 month on the computer. did you see this page LAZYCASH24 DOT COM

Mon, 2012-07-23 19:22 — hugh markey (not verified)

As far was we understand it the drug cartels in all countries kill opponents or rival gang members.
Where there is an economic interest then one can't claim this is serial killing in the classic mould.
The USA is not unique in producing sociopaths, Russia and even medium-sized nation states such as Austria have their share.
Both the good old USA is definitely the leader in this field. And US publishers and Hollywood studios churn out hundreds of tales focused on serial killers and specialized psychos.
Even most video games have a lethal twist.

Dum-dum

Mon, 2012-07-23 19:05 — Norm M. (not verified)

Seriously, anyone that has to attack Moore's weight instead of the content of his statements is just plain dumb. Sure, he's a chronic complainer and chunky, but so what? I'm sure most American's think their shit don't stink. Apparently, they're the greatest country in the world. I highly doubt it. Wonderful place if you're a millionaire, maybe.

They've got a lot of growing up to do. The culture that breeds mass-murderers without any means to prevent their attacks is doomed to have this happen again and again.

How can somebody spend $15,000 on weapons and not be noticed? What kind of society allows individuals to buy six thousand rounds of ammo? What? Maybe he's into squirrel hunting? C'mon... this is absolutely stupid and for all the finger-pointing, nothing in America will ever change. I say, get used to it. Don't expect politians to fix anything. The NRA has 'em right in their hip pocket. Guns don't kill people... dummies who are angry as hell and can get guns easily kill people. Geez, I can hardly wait until they perfect laser weapons and citizens can buy them cheap and easily online. ;-)

Mon, 2012-07-23 18:32 — andyg (not verified)

Alas, how easily things do go wrong.
a sigh too much or a kiss too long.
And there follows a mist and a weeping rain,
And a life shall never be the same.

For some they don't see things being so wrong;
For their hearts so true, and their faith so strong.
For the mist when it comes and the weeping rain.
Was to be changed by the faith to sunshine again.

Mon, 2012-07-23 18:31 — andyg (not verified)

Alas, how easily things do go wrong.
sigh too much or a kiss too long.
And there follows a mist and a weeping rain,
And a life shall never be the same.

For some they don't see things being so wrong;
For their hearts so true, and their faith so strong.
For the mist when it comes and the weeping rain.
Was to be changed by the faith to sunshine again.

Mon, 2012-07-23 16:10 — Harold Stassen (not verified)

There was no mention of "very similar", only more similar than different, especially compared with both places 60 years ago. Somehow we keep "Celebrating our diversity" while becoming more and more alike.
And the US hears about how violent it is; Brazil and South Africa and Mexico and Venezuela somehow get off the hook. Maybe because we were originally colonized by you, you feel you have a special right to mention us or you have a lingering responsibility (which would be so Non Conformist Conscience of you!)that you don't have with Colombia or you think that having more money and less corruption means we're more morally liable or because these countries are majority non-white, it would be racist to mention their obvious dysfunction-who knows.

Mon, 2012-07-23 16:10 — Harold Stassen (not verified)

Mon, 2012-07-23 15:37 — peterr (not verified)

"..I guess this is what happens when you get a very masculinised, macho culture (similar to the Middle East)..."

Yes, and much of that correlates to religion in US and those countries. It is hard to sort out cause and effect. Perhaps a common cause, and neither of those, willfully ignorant religion and excess violence by males, is really a cause of the other.

Tue, 2012-07-24 11:48 — Agoodword (not verified)

how misguided you are.

The killer was doing a PHD on neurology, most likely from an atheistic persuasion, who knows.

for you to impute religion into this is just ridiculous.

Mon, 2012-07-23 10:30 — Undercurtain

One of the problems is perhaps that America's mythologies are based around a lone man wielding a gun. Here we pull swords out of stones, quest for cups and the like, there they fight against authority using the best gun available.

Mon, 2012-07-23 18:17 — John Cheese (not verified)

I like to relax with some reading of a little history of "drawn & quartered" Brit punishments...

Mon, 2012-07-23 08:31 — Dave Cahoots (not verified)

I'm still still on the fence with regard to Gun control. I'm thinking about moving to the states and these stories just scare the hell out of me. In the UK we expect shootings associated with Gangland but not so much a movie goers. But surely its not the guns but the deranged people that America breeds - without gun's they'll find other sick ways of killing each other. http://cahoots.co.uk