Violence will always be a problem. It has been since Cain was jealous of Abel or, if you prefer, Oog was jealous of Ugg. Either way, there was a first murder and it’s been a problem since then. It will always be a problem. It’s just part of human nature that some humans are going to hurt others. The trick for the rest of us is to minimize that violence somehow.

However, when states begin looking at how to combat it, what we see aren’t real, meaningful efforts. It’s just smoke and mirrors.

(WTNH) — Some Connecticut and New Haven lawmakers are taking steps to fight against gun violence.

The House Chair of the Judiciary Committee plans to roll out a package of legislation alongside New Haven city leaders Monday to combat gun violence.

The plan will include a ban on so-called bump stocks and ghost guns.

Well, that’s a waste of freaking time.

To date, bump stocks have been used in exactly one high-profile crime. Of the thousands and thousands sold, we have exactly one misuse of them so far as I’ve been able to find.

So-called ghost guns are about the same. While it does allow people to skirt around federal law, there are ways people can do the exact same thing without buying a less than 80 percent lower receiver. In fact, I’d much rather them build an AR-15, which is semi-automatic only, than some of the alternatives.

Meanwhile, states like Connecticut are doing bupkis to look at the underlying causes of violence.

It’s important to remember that in a phrase like “gun violence,” the word “gun” is the adjective. It modifies the word “violence,” which is the noun. While some people may roll their eyes at the English lesson here, it’s something people need to be reminded of from time to time. After all, they forget that the problem is really about violence.

Seriously, does it really matter if people are shot to death or beaten to death with a hammer? They’re still dead, for crying out loud.

All these bills designed to go after the weapon is little more than political theater. It’s a vain attempt to look like they’re doing something when, in fact, they’ll really accomplish nothing. Let Connecticut pass both of those bills, then watch what happens to their violent crime rate. I’ll put good money on absolutely nothing happening. No impact at all.

Yet if just one state would actually try and take a look into why violence happens, what are the causes of violent behavior and culture, then just maybe someone would make a difference without infringing on our Second Amendment rights.

It’s just too bad that it’ll take more effort than any of the anti-gun politicians want to put into it. I mean, if the choice is just looking like they’re doing something or actually doing something to combat violence, you’d think the choice is clear. Unfortunately, since the actual work needed isn’t flashy or easily digested in soundbites, we’re not likely to see anyone actually make the effort.

Instead, we’ll see more gun grabbing misdirection.