Submitted by celebratedrecluse in Anarchism (edited )

I complained a little while ago about the abysmal state of the antiwar movement in the united states & Canada. But so what can we do about it? What would be effective?

I think a campaign against the gun manufacturers would be effective. This would not demand any criminal penalties for gun possession, but just seek to limit the production of new guns for profit.

Additionally, a prohibition on the exportation of firearms & weapons of war would be a good goal to agitate for.

I think these policies would directly challenge powerful capitalist interests, but would have a solid basis of popular support in the US & Canada. It would also challenge the foundational aspects of power in the imperial system.

What do you all think? Good morning Europe & Africa

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ziq wrote

What do you all think? Good morning Europe & Africa

Ha, you kinda posted it when N. America is asleep so don't expect a reply for a while.

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conseil wrote

Additionally, a prohibition on the exportation of firearms & weapons of war would be a good goal to agitate for.

Ultimately, I think that's a goal that would be effective and appeal to almost everyone - except for the capitalist counter-propaganda campaigns that would come, at least. I imagine most people supporting it depending on the wording.

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betterletter wrote

we could just ask ctuyed to handle all of our enemies with his massive biceps and cognitive abilities.

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ctuyed wrote

I think a campaign against the gun manufacturers would be effective. This would not demand any criminal penalties for gun possession, but just seek to limit the production of new guns for profit.

How is stopping gun production any different than liberal gun control? How are we going to fight a revolution if we can only buy antique guns that cost a fortune?

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celebratedrecluse OP wrote

well, for one thing, antique guns are unregulated (in the US), so you can get a gun that was patented before 1898 and carry them with no license, which is pretty cool. They are also somewhat cheaper than modern firearms. For purposes of self defense, the "antiques" are actually pretty useful.

Moreover, and more pertinently, in the US there are already more guns than people. I am not sure that it is particularly helpful to a revolutionary cause to make even more? Because the problem is that the right wing and government is stockpiling the brand new hot-from-the-assembly-line guns anyway, and the best way to purvey a gun for anyone with a criminal record (read: a lot of marginalized/left people) is a person-to-person sale of a used firearm, anyway

Plus, the arms manufacturers in the US are making most of the guns for exporting them around the world, which is pretty terrible of course -shrug-

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ctuyed wrote

So what happens in 40 years when all the guns have broken and the next generation can't start a revolution because you let them ban gun manufacturing?

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celebratedrecluse OP wrote

Well, I also support comrades finding ways to make guns for ourselves. I think there can be a push to attack commercial arms traders, while simultaneously creating a leftist gun counterculture.

For example, even within a legalistic framework of regulation, one could ban corporations from selling arms, while preserving the right of person to person sales; another idea is to ban the manufacturing & export of military grade arms (fighter jets, missiles, other things economically inaccessible to the average revolutionary) while allowing for small scale rifle production.

Additionally, it is not difficult to replace broken parts on a firearm, and if you keep it in good condition & maintain them properly it should last more than a few decades, even! But my point is, I'm not arguing for banning all production...just that of our enemies, you know?

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