The Power of Distraction

     As most of you know, Gov Scott allowed H.230, "An act relating to implementing mechanisms to reduce suicide", to become law without his signature.  Gov Scott highlighted beliefs that the Judicial Branch will decide this act's fate.

    While cloaked under suicide prevention, the bill, which originated from the Health Care Committee, primary focused on firearms.  According to the recently released 2020 Vital Statistics Bulletin, suicide increased from 16.3 deaths per 100,000 residents (1979-1981) to 18.8 deaths per 100,000 residents....roughly increasing from 102 in 1980 to 117 in 2020.  The legislature believes that restricting firearms sales and ownership will reduce suicide and homicide.   Reducing Vermont's suicide totals is undoubtedly crucial, but it's worth considering larger health risks to Vermonters. 

    Heart disease (#1 with 1,591 deaths) and cancer ((#2 with 1,399 deaths) consistently remain the top two health problems in our state over time, claiming far more lives than firearms. Vermonters are affected by health issues like diabetes (#7 with 153 deaths) and opioid overdose (accidents ranked #3 with 482 deaths, 158 attributed to opioids).

     So...why study these grim numbers?  Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth, recently highlighted that we have a "massacre" problem, misrepresenting Vermont's seven (7) homicides by firearms.  We need to look at hard numbers and cease the rhetoric.  

    In 2020, roughly 141,000 hunting licenses were sold - not including out of State hunters.  That's about 22% of the state as registered hunters....and statistically, additional Vermonters own firearms and don't hunt.

    How do we become so distracted from facts?  Vermont has a heart disease and cancer problem, not a firearm problem - the statistics don't lie, but our news cycles highlight "gun massacres" and "problems" every 24 to 48 hours.  Little credence towards our actual healthcare crisis.  

    The problem stems from decision-makers guided by emotions rather than data. While data might seem cold and heartless, it presents the truth. It's convenient to take national headlines about shootings and attempt to overlay them onto Vermonters, but it's intellectually dishonest and diverts attention from real issues.

     Vermonters who value transparency and authenticity should question the focus on manufactured problems. Vermont already faces enough challenges – we don't need to create additional issues just to fit a certain narrative. Let's stay informed, rely on data-driven decisions, and focus on solving the actual healthcare crisis in our brave little state.

    Together, we can ensure that our voices are heard and real problems are addressed.

    

    



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