美国国家公共电台 NPR--Even with strict gun laws, 2 mass shootings happened days ago in California

Even with strict gun laws, 2 mass shootings happened days ago in California

Transcript¹

At least 18 people were killed in the shootings. NPR's A Martinez talks to Daniel Webster of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions about whether stricter gun laws reduce gun violence.

A MART?NEZ, HOST:

Those California mass shootings happened in a state with some of the strictest gun laws in the country. Now, the CDC, which tracks gun violence, says California does have the country's seventh-lowest gun mortality rate. Let's ask Daniel Webster about the effectiveness of state gun laws. He's with the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, and he's studied gun violence for more than 30 years.

Daniel, do tough state gun laws prevent gun violence?

DANIEL WEBSTER: You know, that's a great question. We need to get very specific about what it means to have great gun laws. California is fairly comprehensive in its own regulation of firearms - one of the more regulated states. I think it is important to point out that they don't have one policy that our research has shown to be most effective in reducing all forms of gun violence - homicide, suicide, mass shootings, as well as shootings involving law enforcement - and that's licensing² those who want to purchase firearms or own firearms. So I think that's an important gap.

The other thing I want to underscore - and this was noted³ a minute ago - just because they have a relatively⁴ low rate of overall firearm mortality in California, is that you can't draw conclusions from two, three, four shootings that occur. Sadly, in the United States, we have many shootings - many mass shootings. You need to study this in a very systematic⁵ way, which is exactly what we've done.

MART?NEZ: Yeah, and many, I've seen, on social media question California's gun laws by pointing out to these recent mass shootings. So it's not - it's impossible to make that kind of sweeping⁶ statement.

WEBSTER: Absolutely. It's important to understand that we can't, through our news feed, determine whether a law is effective. Our news feed will not tell us how many shootings were prevented by any given law. Again, you have to systematically⁷ look at this across a long span of time and compare those rates with other states that don't have the gun laws in question.

MART?NEZ: Then is it possible to curb⁸ gun violence on a state or local level in absence of, say, stricter federal gun laws?

WEBSTER: Well, our research clearly shows that it is. But, undoubtedly⁹, any state's laws are going to be less effective than would be a broader federal law. And our federal gun laws are incredibly weak - have many important gaps that are exploited by gun traffickers and others who, you know, want to use guns in a violent way.

MART?NEZ: Daniel, I mentioned how you've studied gun violence for more than 30 years. I'm wondering if you've ever looked at how we react to gun violence because, I got to admit, I think we're getting a little numb¹⁰ to it - at least some of us are.

WEBSTER: That's not a particular area of my own study, but I think definitely we have normalized, sadly, this kind of mass violence or even daily violence that occurs in our cities and communities that is very abnormal, if you look across the globe, and particularly even in countries that are more like us, with respect to high-income Western democracies.

MART?NEZ: You know, back in 2018, Congress authorized¹¹ funds for the CDC to study the causes of gun violence. Back then, I saw you were quoted as saying that you were not very optimistic. Has your opinion changed at all since then?

WEBSTER: Optimistic about the funding?

MART?NEZ: Optimistic about it being something that will result in change.

WEBSTER: Oh, well, look, I think evidence is important to inform gun policy. It's not, by itself, sufficient to do the trick. I think that there are some states where there's great motivation to come up with the best solutions to reduce gun violence. And in those states, they clearly are using the research evidence, thankfully, and it's leading to lower rates of firearm mortality.

MART?NEZ: Daniel Webster of Johns Hopkins University. Daniel, thanks.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

1 transcript   

n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书

参考例句：

• A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
• They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。

2 licensing   

v.批准，许可，颁发执照( license的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• A large part of state regulation consists of occupational licensing. 大部分州的管理涉及行业的特许批准。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法
• That licensing procedures for projects would move faster. 这样的工程批准程序一定会加快。 来自辞典例句

3 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

4 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

5 systematic   

adj.有系统的，有计划的，有方法的

参考例句：

• The way he works isn't very systematic.他的工作不是很有条理。
• The teacher made a systematic work of teaching.这个教师进行系统的教学工作。

6 sweeping   

adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的

参考例句：

• The citizens voted for sweeping reforms.公民投票支持全面的改革。
• Can you hear the wind sweeping through the branches?你能听到风掠过树枝的声音吗？

7 systematically   

adv.有系统地

参考例句：

• This government has systematically run down public services since it took office.这一屆政府自上台以来系统地削减了公共服务。
• The rainforest is being systematically destroyed.雨林正被系统地毀灭。

8 curb   

n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制

参考例句：

• I could not curb my anger.我按捺不住我的愤怒。
• You must curb your daughter when you are in church.你在教堂时必须管住你的女儿。

9 undoubtedly   

adv.确实地，无疑地

参考例句：

• It is undoubtedly she who has said that.这话明明是她说的。
• He is undoubtedly the pride of China.毫无疑问他是中国的骄傲。

10 numb   

adj.麻木的，失去感觉的；v.使麻木

参考例句：

• His fingers were numb with cold.他的手冻得发麻。
• Numb with cold,we urged the weary horses forward.我们冻得发僵，催着疲惫的马继续往前走。

11 authorized   

a.委任的，许可的

参考例句：

• An administrative order is valid if authorized by a statute.如果一个行政命令得到一个法规的认可那么这个命令就是有效的。