Gun Control Debate thread

[backstop13]

Originally Posted by slyder

same reason they can get crack, marijuana, heroine, cocaine, steroids without much effort. These items wreck more lives than can probably be tallied

But those drugs are obviously illegal, and as such, could never be used by criminals...

/sarcasm

[PA n8]

Originally Posted by KIRKRIDER

I hope this last tragedy will actually prompt a change in everybody's mind. and therefore an action under the form of a law, where NO ONE can own more than a gun, and background yearly checks to make it such a pain in the ass that takes ALL the "fun factor" out of it. Violence cannot be associated to fun. And weapons are the ultimate violence tool.

One gun? So if I want a gun I need to choose between something for self defense, hunting, or target shooting? Guns are built to meet different parameters and situations. Just like a snowboard, you have a different gun based on what you want to do.

A couple weeks ago I went out to my friend's camp and we shot clay pigeons. This was an absolute blast, so much so that after borrowing my dad's shotgun I'm getting one for Christmas as a present. I'm sorry but I do associate guns with a "fun factor" going and shooting is an absolute blast. Shooting targets and different guns with friends is so much fun. The time I spent out at my camp hunting with my dad and other relatives I always enjoyed and will always remember.

If we want to stop associating violence with fun we better stop making a bunch of movies, tv shows, video games, and music. Good luck with that.

Originally Posted by slyder

My biggest fear is copy cat's.

I really wish the media would stop plastering the assholes that do these things on everything. I wish we would never know their names.

[ARSENALFAN]

Let me just state one thing for the record. America is a fucking awesome country. I have never met an American citizen that I didn't like. I have travelled the entire east coast from New York to Florida to Louisiana. I spend alot of time in Montana and Idaho. You're a great Nation and great folk. I admire alot about the American way of life - for instance, how you all seem to know and love your neighbours - the sense of community you have. The overwhelming majority's faith in God. I also enjoy your culture. I watch some football, basketball, Nascar and sing the American anthem when US NHL teams come and play Calgary. I love the new music you are pumping out. I also love American blues, bluegrass and Kentucky Bourbon. I guess I am just disheartened with the culture of violence and the lazy government in general. That being said, I dislike our politicians too.....but most of them don't get the hair on my back standing up like when I listen to your congressmen/women on television. So if I came across anti-American, which I likely did, I was just heated up and the fingers were typing faster than my brain could process. I hope you find a solution to this epidemic. All the best!

[slyder]

Originally Posted by PA n8

I really wish the media would stop plastering the assholes that do these things on everything. I wish we would never know their names.

I have only watched less than 5 minutes of coverage on this event. I had kids that age in school when 9/11 happened. Brought back memories.

Like you said if this wasn't covered the way it is maybe that would be the best start to stopping mass shootings...

[ShredLife]

Originally Posted by slyder

same reason they can get crack, marijuana, heroine, cocaine, steroids without much effort. These items wreck more lives than can probably be tallied

My biggest fear is copy cat's.

i love how you slipped cannabis in there and left out probably the worst of all, alcohol. sorry but you need a reality check.

its not about laws, its not really about guns - its about our society. we do not give a fuck about one another. far too many people are left by the wayside of society. i don't have the answer to all of this bullshit but we absolutely need to show compassion to one another. we need to take better care of our neighbors, we need to be more invested in each others lives and in our communities.

[backstop13]

Originally Posted by ShredLife

i love how you slipped cannabis in there and left out probably the worst of all, alcohol. sorry but you need a reality check.

its not about laws, its not really about guns - its about our society. we do not give a fuck about one another. far too many people are left by the wayside of society. i don't have the answer to all of this bullshit but we absolutely need to show compassion to one another. we need to take better care of our neighbors, we need to be more invested in each others lives and in our communities.

Sadly, this is true. Americans have this "me-first" attitude that I don't think other countries and societies share to the same level as the US. Like I said earlier, we've marginalized the mentally ill to the point that we're embarrassed by their conditions. If we took more stock in their well being, could these types of events be stopped?

[scrotumphillips]

Originally Posted by backstop13

But those drugs are obviously illegal, and as such, could never be used by criminals...

/sarcasm

Those drugs can be produced and transported much more easily than fire arms. I could make some meth right now if I wanted, I could not build a gun.

[scrotumphillips]

Originally Posted by sleev-les

The real reason? How about the individual and his will to do harm?! I do care what the real reason is, which is why I stand behind gun rights and trying to stay optimistic even while seeing our politicians clawing at this recent event to serve some political agenda. That is a tragedy in and of itself. Too many are quick to blame a gun for an individuals act. To blame a gun is what truly highlights your statement about not caring about the real reason. A gun is not what causes someone to go on a rampage. Something else altogether causes that. When someone (and I've seen it posted before in other threads) says a comment such as forks are making people fat, lets ban them. You are quick to pick that apart and say its not relevant to the argument. THE ROOT CAUSE is the individual so stop blaming the tools. Yet me mentioning other opportunities for these acts to occur (and even posted a story) you again pick that apart and try to believe its not possible or wouldn't happen if a gun isn't available. I'll say it again, use the proper tools to limit the risk. Stop with the gung ho hardcore stance and look at real methods to help keep guns out of the individuals hands that have the potential to do harm. (class, psych eval, permit renewal etc etc).

It is much easier to go on a rampage with a gun than it is to go on one with a bow and arrows or a knife. Guns do increase aggression and more often than not are used against their own owner. Guns also make it much much easier to kill a lot of people quickly.

[backstop13]

Originally Posted by scrotumphillips

Those drugs can be produced and transported much more easily than fire arms. I could make some meth right now if I wanted, I could not build a gun.

The point is that even though they are illegal, they are still possessed by some of the population. Firearms are illegal in NY and in DC, and yet gun crime remains.

[Bones]

Originally Posted by ThunderChunky

You people don't listen. Bans like this have been tried. NOTHING changed. This is not going to solve the problem.

NOT TRUE!

The handgun ban in Washington DC (called the murder capital at the time) caused a 25% drop in the homicide by gun rate and about the same in the suicide by gun rate. Homicide and suicide rates by means other than guns remained relatively unchanged during the same period.

Not only did the ban work, it also put paid to the NRA's argument that murderers would simply choose another method to kill.