# How would The US react if 6 people were killed and 24 mangled by Cougars in Highland Park on July 4th? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 4, 2022, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-us-react-if-6-people-were-killed-and-24-mangled-by-cougars-in-highland-park-on-july-4th/967416 "2022-07-04T19:11:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2022, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-us-react-if-6-people-were-killed-and-24-mangled-by-cougars-in-highland-park-on-july-4th/967416/1 "2022-07-04T19:11:14Z")
This question occurred to me while watching breaking news today on TV - How would The US react if 6 people were killed and 24 mangled by Cougars in Highland Park on July 4th? Would such a flurry of attacks cause general alarm? Would the presence of Cougars then be considered a provocation? Could politicians ignore the Cougar threat with a few prayers and a moment of silence? Would we strive to reduce the number of Cougars in Illinois? Would an actual Cougar threat be different from our actual gun threat? (the threat not some perceived right) IMHO, that level of Cougar attacks in a single day would paralyze the City. At least with regards to schools and public gatherings. Cougars would be considered an immediate threat and shot on sight. A major effort would be made to reduce the Cougar population. Even though there is no significant history of Cougars being aggressive. So, why are guns different? Why are we unable to acknowledge that guns are a clear and present danger that calls for a reduction of their number? ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2022, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-us-react-if-6-people-were-killed-and-24-mangled-by-cougars-in-highland-park-on-july-4th/967416/2 "2022-07-04T19:14:33Z")
Because Something Something Founding Fathers, Something Something MAH FREEDUMS ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2022, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-us-react-if-6-people-were-killed-and-24-mangled-by-cougars-in-highland-park-on-july-4th/967416/3 "2022-07-04T19:16:14Z")
The OP refers to the existential threat, not to a perceived right. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2022, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-us-react-if-6-people-were-killed-and-24-mangled-by-cougars-in-highland-park-on-july-4th/967416/4 "2022-07-04T19:16:15Z")
Few people believe that there is a Constitutionally-guaranteed right to have a cougar. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2022, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-us-react-if-6-people-were-killed-and-24-mangled-by-cougars-in-highland-park-on-july-4th/967416/5 "2022-07-04T19:16:50Z")
People would point to the constitution, it is “bear arms” and not “cougar paws” after all. ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2022, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-us-react-if-6-people-were-killed-and-24-mangled-by-cougars-in-highland-park-on-july-4th/967416/6 "2022-07-04T19:16:53Z")
The Cougars are native Americans. The question is, would we react differently to the threat? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2022, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-us-react-if-6-people-were-killed-and-24-mangled-by-cougars-in-highland-park-on-july-4th/967416/7 "2022-07-04T19:18:14Z")
Not on a Constitutional basis. They are also not people, and are not protected by the laws that are codified to define people’s rights, and protect them. ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2022, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-us-react-if-6-people-were-killed-and-24-mangled-by-cougars-in-highland-park-on-july-4th/967416/8 "2022-07-04T19:19:35Z")
Obviously, but would we be alarmed by the Cougar threat. (the OP avoids the Constitutional issue which has been amply discussed) ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2022, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-us-react-if-6-people-were-killed-and-24-mangled-by-cougars-in-highland-park-on-july-4th/967416/9 "2022-07-04T19:20:11Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Not on a Constitutional basis. > > They are **also not people** , and are not protected by the laws that are codified to define people’s rights, and protect them. - That depends on your definition of “cougar”. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2022, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-us-react-if-6-people-were-killed-and-24-mangled-by-cougars-in-highland-park-on-july-4th/967416/10 "2022-07-04T19:23:11Z")
These figures do not include today’s shootings in Highland Park: “Nine people have been shot and killed in Chicago over the Fourth of July weekend in Chicago. They are among at least 57 people shot, according to police. Last year, 19 people were killed and more than 100 people were shot over the long Fourth of July weekend.” As long as it’s guns, Americans don’t really give a shit, generally. > **[9 Dead Among 57 Shot in Fourth of July Weekend Shootings in Chicago](https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/9-dead-among-57-shot-in-fourth-of-july-weekend-shootings-in-chicago/2872736/)** > > Nine people have been shot and killed in Chicago over the Fourth of July weekend in Chicago. They are among at least 57 people shot, according to police. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2022, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-us-react-if-6-people-were-killed-and-24-mangled-by-cougars-in-highland-park-on-july-4th/967416/11 "2022-07-04T19:24:51Z")
> [@Crane](#): > > (the OP avoids the Constitutional issue which has been amply discussed) You asked, in your OP: > [@](#): > > So, why are guns different? The reason _ **is** _ the Constitution (and, secondarily, the fact that guns are operated by human citizens, whereas cougars are non-human, non-citizens). ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2022, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-us-react-if-6-people-were-killed-and-24-mangled-by-cougars-in-highland-park-on-july-4th/967416/12 "2022-07-04T19:26:04Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Last year, 19 people were killed and more than 100 people were shot over the long Fourth of July weekend.” If those were attributed to Cougar attacks we’d have panic in the City. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2022, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-us-react-if-6-people-were-killed-and-24-mangled-by-cougars-in-highland-park-on-july-4th/967416/13 "2022-07-04T19:26:44Z")
False, and rather silly, analogy. Cougars are self-aware mammals. They can analyze prey, asses threats, and decide to hunt, or not to hunt. Worst case, if it gets hungry enough, if it’s defending territory or offspring, it might attack something or someone it ordinarily would not. A firearm is an inanimate object. It has no agency. It does nothing until and unless a person picks it up, aims it, and pulls the trigger. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2022, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-us-react-if-6-people-were-killed-and-24-mangled-by-cougars-in-highland-park-on-july-4th/967416/14 "2022-07-04T19:27:55Z")
To paraphrase a saying: Guns aren’t people, people are people. ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2022, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-us-react-if-6-people-were-killed-and-24-mangled-by-cougars-in-highland-park-on-july-4th/967416/15 "2022-07-04T19:29:08Z")
For purposes of discussion we can set it aside. The point is to compare the two threats and their solutions. Are you saying that the 2nd amendment is sacred and irrefutable? God will smite us if we discuss it? ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2022, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-us-react-if-6-people-were-killed-and-24-mangled-by-cougars-in-highland-park-on-july-4th/967416/16 "2022-07-04T19:31:59Z")
> [@ExTank](#): > > Cougars are self-aware mammals. But, I was asking about human reaction to threats, not silliness about animal rights. Will we react to the gun death this week the same as we would if they had been caused by predatory animals? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2022, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-us-react-if-6-people-were-killed-and-24-mangled-by-cougars-in-highland-park-on-july-4th/967416/17 "2022-07-04T19:32:00Z")
> [@Crane](#): > > Are you saying that the 2nd amendment is sacred and irrefutable? God will smite us if we discuss it? I don’t personally believe this, but an awful lot of Americans do (as I am sure you are very well aware). I don’t know what you are hoping to achieve with your thread, other than to point out that if today’s mass shooting had been, instead, an attack by wild animals, the response would be different. Well, no kidding. ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2022, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-us-react-if-6-people-were-killed-and-24-mangled-by-cougars-in-highland-park-on-july-4th/967416/18 "2022-07-04T19:33:58Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > if today’s mass shooting had been, instead, an attack by wild animals, the response would be different. Doesn’t that strike you as odd. Both are threats to public safety. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2022, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-us-react-if-6-people-were-killed-and-24-mangled-by-cougars-in-highland-park-on-july-4th/967416/19 "2022-07-04T19:34:55Z")
Not odd, all kinds of stupid, but not odd. Let’s face it; humans are dumb animals, cougars are pretty clever. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2022, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-us-react-if-6-people-were-killed-and-24-mangled-by-cougars-in-highland-park-on-july-4th/967416/20 "2022-07-04T19:35:35Z")
> [@ExTank](#): > > False, and rather silly, analogy. Cougars are self-aware mammals. They can analyze prey, asses threats, and decide to hunt, or not to hunt. Worst case, if it gets hungry enough, if it’s defending territory or offspring, it might attack something or someone it ordinarily would not. > > A firearm is an inanimate object. It has no agency. It does nothing until and unless a person picks it up, aims it, and pulls the trigger. That just makes the argument for banning guns, rather than cougars, even stronger. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-us-react-if-6-people-were-killed-and-24-mangled-by-cougars-in-highland-park-on-july-4th/967416.md?page=2)