Valley Views

It’s time for good faith efforts

Anew year brings with it new hope for a new beginning. As the ancient saying goes, the old has died that the new may be tried. And so we celebrate the happy holiday time in the spirit that the year to come will bring more peace, good will, and good faith.

The outbreak of modern war in Europe will only end with the resolve or the existence of Putin, the war’s perpetrator. Our devout expectation is that more rational world leaders will contain the spread of this conflict.

Here in the traditionally peaceful and protected part of earth, though, there is great violence, too. Civilian perpetrated gun violence has been continuing here for decades, and is worsening. It is no longer even news to a numbed public unless it surfaces as a massive example. The mass murder weapon of choice is an assault style rifle with an extended clip that can equip killers to kill a dozen or a score or more, as fast as they can pull the trigger.

The United States is home to 415 million guns in private circulation. On a per capita basis, that makes us easily the most gunned-up country on earth. And with about 45,000 annual gun deaths, the guns continually do what they are manufactured to do.

U.S. youth are on the forefront of the carnage. American teenagers are many times more likely to be shot dead than similar age teens in our peer countries. Kids 1820 account for 4% of the American population but commit 17% of our murders. This, when most of this age group can’t buy a legal beer, but easily can an AR-15 style rifle. American civilians of all ages now possess more assault weapons than our military has of the fully automatic version. There can be no debate that what we are doing for gun safety in this country isn’t working. While there is debate over what we can do about it, now is a fresh time to open rational discussions on guns. The clear purpose must be bringing about greater gun safety.

To begin with, only about 30% of gun owners own or have owned an AR-15 or similar assault rifle. These types of weapons don’t represent the typical American gun owner. Their primary purpose is to kill and maim people. Should they be allowed to be carried in public places?

Opinion polls show that gun owners themselves overwhelmingly favor universal background checks. Should a review of those purchasing an assault rifle be as stringent as those required for adopting a rescue puppy?

What law-abiding purpose is served by a 30 shot capacity clip? Should there be any limit? Where should we draw the line? Courts have found that the Second Amendment is not without limits in its application.

“Red-flag” laws can restrict persons who are undergoing a mental health crisis or are subject to domestic violence protection orders from possessing a gun. Reasonable? Enforceable? Former President Trump expressed his support for red-flag laws.

Mandatory gun-liability insurance is now being considered. So is the increasing manufacture of guns by 3-D printers. Should mandatory safe gun storage laws to protect children, prevent theft by criminals and reduce suicides be implemented? How about standard safety devices on trigger mechanisms?

We have countless safety laws and regulations in this country. Very few have been politicized. Without confiscating guns, or challenging our deeply held gun culture, it is clear that the time is both ripe and right for good faith state and national efforts to

Legislative Notes Bob Brown Former MT Secretary of State and State Senate President

Hunters donate to landowner relations

During this season of gratitude, let’s think about the goodwill and shared goals for our hunting traditions. Let’s thank private landowners that opened their land to public hunters and let’s thank hunters who voluntarily donated over $218k to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Block Management Program. These donations, made by voluntarily returning unsuccessful drawing fees, show how much hunters appreciate the opportunity to hunt private land.

Block Management is an access program that reimburses private landowners for impacts of letting public hunters on their property. Through Block Management, landowners get a lot of control in determining who comes onto their land, and when and where they hunt. It also lets them decide if they want to interact with the hunters directly, have FWP manage the hunters, or let the hunters manage themselves. It is a flexible program that helps sustain our hunting traditions.

In Montana and across North America, our ability to manage and sustain deer, elk, antelope, and other game species relies on partnerships between private landowners, public hunters, and the agencies who hold our resources in trust. Wildlife is a public resource that uses both public and private land. Our access to private land is a privilege that can be taken away at any time, and it’s up to us to show appreciation and good steward-

Legislative Notes Representative Marilyn Marler Missoula

see page 11 find common sense consensus for reducing the unnecessary and avoidable carnage of guns.

Bob Brown is a former MT Secretary of State and State Senate President.

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hunters

from page 10

ship for those relationships.

In past legislative sessions I have heard complaints about inconsiderate hunters. But $218k of donations shows that many recognize the pressures that private landowners endure, and most of us work to demonstrate our appreciation. What if we focus on the majority of good partners and work together to expand ethical behavior?

I am proud that I carried the bill that made it possible (and convenient) for hunters to donate their unsuccessful drawing fees to Block Management. Montana’s Private Land/ Public Wildlife working group also recognized the importance of Block Management and per their suggestion, Senator Hinebaugh (R-Glasgow) is carrying a bipartisan bill that will increase annual payments to private landowners in the program.

This winter when my husband and I plan next year’s hunts, we will write holiday cards to the ranchers who let us hunt on their land. I’m not sure where we’ll be applying for next season but I know I’ll check the box to donate my unsuccessful application fees to Block Management. I’ll keep putting my money where my mouth is, and by the looks of it, so will many other hunters.

vj

Holiday cheer benefits all of us

Eight of us lounged around the table, candlelight flickering on crumpled napkins and cracker crumbs. It was the tail end of our yearly holiday party for our neighbors, and our guests – ranging from 30-somethings to 60-somethings – seemed reluctant to leave. Nor did we want them to. Swapping stories and laughing together, though we barely know each other, seemed the most important thing we could do at that moment.

It makes sense. Humans are wired to want connection. Our neurobiology craves those moments. When we feel rejected or disconnected, we sense a threat akin to being stalked by a lion. Social connection is hugely important to our mental, emotional, and even physical health. When the United Kingdom created the position of Minister for Loneliness in 2018, the government cited evidence that loneliness can be as bad for health as obesity or smoking. More recent studies have shown we sleep better when we are with someone. In this country, we’re awash in studies about how pandemic isolation wreaked havoc on our health and our social organization.

During this holiday season we can use the science of our social nature to renew old connections and forge new ones. We’ve known for a long time that social ties to family and friends are good for us. We’re now learning that positive interaction with strangers is beneficial. Chatting with the person in line at the store makes us more happy and healthy, more connected to our community, more trustful and optimistic, and even mentally more astute.

It doesn’t need to be hard to reach out. Because we’re such social beings, we are wired to reciprocate behavior we experience. We tend to greet smiles with smiles. Others appreciate our small acts of kindness (a compliment, holding the door) more than we realize. How can we use the holiday season to build connections? — Scribble notes on our holiday cards in addition to the pre-printed story of the year’s events: jokes or questions about the recipient’s year. Extra points for sending cards to those who might not expect it. — Pay for the coffee of someone in line behind us, gifting a stranger. — Host low-lift potluck celebrations, even for just a few, and introduce guests by more than their name to ease conversation: “This is

Valley Views Melinda Burrell PeaceVoice Judy, my college roommate, and she loves to cook.” — When out shopping or enjoying holiday events, challenge ourselves to have a cheery interaction with at least one stranger – a joke, a smile, a shared complaint about the weather.

These acts of kindness and connection benefit not only the people involved. Studies show they also benefit those who simply see or hear about them. Even the smallest act of reaching out can be the most important thing we do today.

Melinda Burrell, PhD, syndicated by PeaceVoice, is a former humanitarian aid worker and now trains on the neuroscience of communication and conflict. She is vice-chair of the National Association for Community Mediation, which offers resources for community approaches to difficult issues.

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