The pro-fear establishment shows its cowardly nature.
#41
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I note that while typing this, a large number of other excellent responses have been posted. I will take the time to digest those once I get home, just wanted to let you all know that I'm not ignoring you.
I don't think that it's "absurdly inaccurate" to employ a bit of light hyperbole in exploring the "other side" of an issue which, in this specific forum, tends to be treated in a somewhat one-dimensional manner.
That (specifically the "pocket" reference) would be an example of the aforementioned hyperbole. In this case, the reader is intended to interpret the statement as exposing the hilarity of some of the explanations put forward to justify the "need" for access to weapons originally designed for the exclusive use of the US Military and its allies in a large-scale combat role (note 1).
Yes, that seems to be what some people (note 2) fear.
I don't really see how anything that I have written is sad or absurd. I will admit that it obviously runs contrary to the undertone of certain persistent threads on this forum such as "The new warrior cop is out of control" (note 3), however I'm fairly confident that anything which I have stated as a fact is, in fact, factual (note 4).
Notes:
1 = The weapon now known as the Armalite AR-15 was the outcome of a development competition issued in 1957/58 by the US Army Continental Army Command (CONARC), to produce a low-recoil, small-caliber fully automatic rifle. This was done after several studies conducted by the US Army Operations Research Office (ORO) during WWII and the Korean war demonstrated that directing large amounts of randomly aimed fire towards the enemy was more effective at producing large-scale casualties than selectively aimed fire from larger caliber, semi-automatic rifles, a concept known colloquially as "spray-and-pray". In other words, the AR-15 was specifically designed to be the exact opposite of a "sporting" rifle.
2 = "some people" should be interpreted to mean "those who are simultaneously the most vocal about "gun rights" and also the least well-informed about both the constitutional and legislative underpinnings of same."
3 = If anything, such threads are much better examples of "hysteria and absurdity," inasmuch as the use of cherry-picked news stories from marginal sources in order to generate a sustain an atmosphere of paranoia and hysteria, and to suppress attempts at rational analysis and discourse.
4 = For instance, last week I played a game with my niece while we were driving through town, sort of like the "punch buggy" game, in which we each called out every time we saw either a gun store or a book store. For that portion of US-41 (the main road through Port Charlotte, Florida, along which >90% of the strip malls and consumer retail businesses are located) which extends from the Peace River bridge at the south-eastern most end of town to Veterans Highway at the north-western most end of town, gun stores outnumber book stores by approximately three to one, and I am counting the little religious bookstore owned by the local Catholic church in that figure. We also decided to count WalMart in both categories, as they sell both guns and books.
That (specifically the "pocket" reference) would be an example of the aforementioned hyperbole. In this case, the reader is intended to interpret the statement as exposing the hilarity of some of the explanations put forward to justify the "need" for access to weapons originally designed for the exclusive use of the US Military and its allies in a large-scale combat role (note 1).
Yes, that seems to be what some people (note 2) fear.
Notes:
1 = The weapon now known as the Armalite AR-15 was the outcome of a development competition issued in 1957/58 by the US Army Continental Army Command (CONARC), to produce a low-recoil, small-caliber fully automatic rifle. This was done after several studies conducted by the US Army Operations Research Office (ORO) during WWII and the Korean war demonstrated that directing large amounts of randomly aimed fire towards the enemy was more effective at producing large-scale casualties than selectively aimed fire from larger caliber, semi-automatic rifles, a concept known colloquially as "spray-and-pray". In other words, the AR-15 was specifically designed to be the exact opposite of a "sporting" rifle.
2 = "some people" should be interpreted to mean "those who are simultaneously the most vocal about "gun rights" and also the least well-informed about both the constitutional and legislative underpinnings of same."
3 = If anything, such threads are much better examples of "hysteria and absurdity," inasmuch as the use of cherry-picked news stories from marginal sources in order to generate a sustain an atmosphere of paranoia and hysteria, and to suppress attempts at rational analysis and discourse.
4 = For instance, last week I played a game with my niece while we were driving through town, sort of like the "punch buggy" game, in which we each called out every time we saw either a gun store or a book store. For that portion of US-41 (the main road through Port Charlotte, Florida, along which >90% of the strip malls and consumer retail businesses are located) which extends from the Peace River bridge at the south-eastern most end of town to Veterans Highway at the north-western most end of town, gun stores outnumber book stores by approximately three to one, and I am counting the little religious bookstore owned by the local Catholic church in that figure. We also decided to count WalMart in both categories, as they sell both guns and books.
#45
It's always to that extreme isn't it? I think this is kind of the point to this whole thread. Someone brings up that maybe there are things about current gun laws that should be discussed and people lose their ****. Nobody ever said anything about no one should ever be allowed to own any type of firearm. And I think most of the gun rights people aren't saying that either. They might ask why one needs to own an assault rifle and the gun people starts soap boxing that people are trying to hold them down and take their guns away from them. It always feel like a lot of overreaction to me.
No One Wants to Ban or Confiscate Guns huh? These Quotes from Anti Gun Leaders Say Otherwise
Keep in mind that the ones openly stating they want all firearms banned for civilians are ignorant in trying to accomplishing their own goals. And don't be fooled. There are plenty of politicians who would like to see all firearms banned. However, they are actually half intelligent people who know that to achieve something of that magnitude, you have to pick at it, slowly, over time. And they know to openly state, "oh yes, all guns should be banned" would be political suicide to most. There are politicians who at EVERY corner will vote against guns, EVERY chance they get. The 2nd amendment is not something the people will ever get back if it is lost, and in my opinion the "overreaction" by so many is warranted in protecting it.
#46
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That's one thing I do agree with. I don't agree with gun free zones. Except bars. And if you are caught intoxicated while carrying a firearm, you should have the hammer come down on you hard. Private property, excluded, of course business owners and land owners have the right to deny bearing arms.
#47
Really I must have missed the part where I mentioned that it was the fault of the 5 year olds that they were not armed. If I blamed anyone it was the politicians who decided to pass a law that disallows lawful citizens from carrying adequate equipment to properly defend themselves against those that ignore such laws as "gun free zones", theft of weapons, and murdering other people. The only gun free zones should be those enforced by metal detectors and armed guards, much like court rooms and prisons.
You cannot prevent every tragedy with legislation. The fact is mass shootings and gun deaths in this country are statistically rare and have been steadily declining for decades. Stop with the fear mongering.
You cannot prevent every tragedy with legislation. The fact is mass shootings and gun deaths in this country are statistically rare and have been steadily declining for decades. Stop with the fear mongering.
#48
Really I must have missed the part where I mentioned that it was the fault of the 5 year olds that they were not armed. If I blamed anyone it was the politicians who decided to pass a law that disallows lawful citizens from carrying adequate equipment to properly defend themselves against those that ignore such laws as "gun free zones", theft of weapons, and murdering other people. The only gun free zones should be those enforced by metal detectors and armed guards, much like court rooms and prisons.
You cannot prevent every tragedy with legislation. The fact is mass shootings and gun deaths in this country are statistically rare and have been steadily declining for decades. Stop with the fear mongering.
You cannot prevent every tragedy with legislation. The fact is mass shootings and gun deaths in this country are statistically rare and have been steadily declining for decades. Stop with the fear mongering.
What are you afraid of?
#50
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Here are some people... Some prominent political figures...
No One Wants to Ban or Confiscate Guns huh? These Quotes from Anti Gun Leaders Say Otherwise
Keep in mind that the ones openly stating they want all firearms banned for civilians are ignorant in trying to accomplishing their own goals. And don't be fooled. There are plenty of politicians who would like to see all firearms banned. However, they are actually half intelligent people who know that to achieve something of that magnitude, you have to pick at it, slowly, over time. And they know to openly state, "oh yes, all guns should be banned" would be political suicide to most. There are politicians who at EVERY corner will vote against guns, EVERY chance they get. The 2nd amendment is not something the people will ever get back if it is lost, and in my opinion the "overreaction" by so many is warranted in protecting it.
No One Wants to Ban or Confiscate Guns huh? These Quotes from Anti Gun Leaders Say Otherwise
Keep in mind that the ones openly stating they want all firearms banned for civilians are ignorant in trying to accomplishing their own goals. And don't be fooled. There are plenty of politicians who would like to see all firearms banned. However, they are actually half intelligent people who know that to achieve something of that magnitude, you have to pick at it, slowly, over time. And they know to openly state, "oh yes, all guns should be banned" would be political suicide to most. There are politicians who at EVERY corner will vote against guns, EVERY chance they get. The 2nd amendment is not something the people will ever get back if it is lost, and in my opinion the "overreaction" by so many is warranted in protecting it.
#51
I fear nothing. I have never been in a situation for which a gun is necessary and likely will never find myself in one. However, I am adamently against legislation for the sake of legislation. I am also against people telling others what they can't do when therr is a large amount of statistical data that proves said behaviour is not really a problem. The same reason I support the legalization of marijuana.
#53
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And in case anyone has forgotten, this thread started out more as a, why can't we have a discussion about this like reasonably intelligent people, thread. This topic always seems to be so polarized, and almost right away people take a defensive posture and become very hard headed and refuse to listen to what the other side has to say.
We already know what the 2nd amendment says, and that there are some politicians pushing for strict restrictions. Not to put words in Joe's mouth, but maybe this thread was meant more for a discussion on sociological aspects of this argument, not so much the specifics about laws and rights. Why people are so resistant to discussion on this topic and why simply stating an opinion contrary to your peers is equal to political and social suicide.
Or maybe that's just me wanting to talk about that over a pissing contest about who interprets the 2nd amendment and legislation more accurately.
We already know what the 2nd amendment says, and that there are some politicians pushing for strict restrictions. Not to put words in Joe's mouth, but maybe this thread was meant more for a discussion on sociological aspects of this argument, not so much the specifics about laws and rights. Why people are so resistant to discussion on this topic and why simply stating an opinion contrary to your peers is equal to political and social suicide.
Or maybe that's just me wanting to talk about that over a pissing contest about who interprets the 2nd amendment and legislation more accurately.
#54
And in case anyone has forgotten, this thread started out more as a, why can't we have a discussion about this like reasonably intelligent people, thread. This topic always seems to be so polarized, and almost right away people take a defensive posture and become very hard headed and refuse to listen to what the other side has to say.
We already know what the 2nd amendment says, and that there are some politicians pushing for strict restrictions. Not to put words in Joe's mouth, but maybe this thread was meant more for a discussion on sociological aspects of this argument, not so much the specifics about laws and rights. Why people are so resistant to discussion on this topic and why simply stating an opinion contrary to your peers is equal to political and social suicide.
Or maybe that's just me wanting to talk about that over a pissing contest about who interprets the 2nd amendment and legislation more accurately.
We already know what the 2nd amendment says, and that there are some politicians pushing for strict restrictions. Not to put words in Joe's mouth, but maybe this thread was meant more for a discussion on sociological aspects of this argument, not so much the specifics about laws and rights. Why people are so resistant to discussion on this topic and why simply stating an opinion contrary to your peers is equal to political and social suicide.
Or maybe that's just me wanting to talk about that over a pissing contest about who interprets the 2nd amendment and legislation more accurately.
Then you have the pro-gun side that has become incredibly paranoid and unwilling to negotiate after years and years of having various states and districts place ever increasing restrictions on the LEGAL ownership of firearms without ever giving anything back or even addressing the root causes of the real reasons for the unecessary violence. Would you continue to negotiate about restrictions on your freedom of speech if everytime we were done negotiating I took away a bit more of your freedom without ever giving in to a single one of your demands. Keep in mind we started with almost no restrictions on weapons so just allowing me to keep some of what I already had is not conceding anything.
#55
It's always to that extreme isn't it? I think this is kind of the point to this whole thread. Someone brings up that maybe there are things about current gun laws that should be discussed and people lose their ****. Nobody ever said anything about no one should ever be allowed to own any type of firearm. And I think most of the gun rights people aren't saying that either. They might ask why one needs to own an assault rifle and the gun people starts soap boxing that people are trying to hold them down and take their guns away from them. It always feel like a lot of overreaction to me.
I imagine, bad guys with guns, whether from the public of govt.
See above.
That is completely apples to oranges though. One is designed for transportation, one was designed with the sole purpose of killing. Sure you can take a gun and do some harmless target practice, but its purpose to exist is still to kill.
And no one is talking about banning, but regulating, and last I checked, ownership and operation of automobiles is regulated. Rightly so, because cars can be dangerous and can kill.
And no one is talking about banning, but regulating, and last I checked, ownership and operation of automobiles is regulated. Rightly so, because cars can be dangerous and can kill.
Because the current legislation is inadequate. Also the NY SAFE Act isn't a significant piece of legislation that is prohibiting or revoking gun ownership, but hey, it was only 20 5-year-olds and a handful of teachers.
Point still stands: what are you guys so afraid of?
Point still stands: what are you guys so afraid of?
No, he blamed those who made the rules. Also victim blaming is a completely rational thing. If I am a 5 foot tall 90lb guy with a dodgy ankle and I limp through the hood and get rolled wearing a whole heap of gold chains carrying a macbook pro, well guess what, I could have avoided it, so I am partially at fault. Just like my insurance company wont cover my car when it is left unlocked with the keys in it.
Firstly, people have taken guns, and are still coming for more guns. So no.
#57
Who is this Dunning Kruger Affect troll?
There were/are numerous attempt to regulate/confiscate/control etc on the graves of those children.
There have been ongoing attempts to ban/regulate/register (with paths to confiscation that are being played out already in CA) etc...
I don't think i'll continue to answer your ignorant goading simple passive aggressive statements. Obviously we know where you stand.
Argh I get so tired of simpletons.
There were/are numerous attempt to regulate/confiscate/control etc on the graves of those children.
There have been ongoing attempts to ban/regulate/register (with paths to confiscation that are being played out already in CA) etc...
I don't think i'll continue to answer your ignorant goading simple passive aggressive statements. Obviously we know where you stand.
Argh I get so tired of simpletons.
#59
If you were planning to kill a bunch of people, would you give up on your plan if guns were illegal? Would the legality, or even the availability of guns deter you at all from going forward with your plan?
I just feel like if someone really wants to kill a bunch of people they're going to do it regardless of whether guns are available to them or not. I see gun regulations being absolutely useless on premeditated murder.
On the other hand some regulation, restriction, education, and safety certainly seems like it would go a long way in preventing impulse and accidental shootings. I just wish some common sense on both sides could be applied to gun laws.
I just feel like if someone really wants to kill a bunch of people they're going to do it regardless of whether guns are available to them or not. I see gun regulations being absolutely useless on premeditated murder.
On the other hand some regulation, restriction, education, and safety certainly seems like it would go a long way in preventing impulse and accidental shootings. I just wish some common sense on both sides could be applied to gun laws.
#60
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I haven't seen actual numbers on the subject, but I would be willing to make a guess that premeditated gun related shootings only make up a very small percentage of overall gun related shootings/deaths. Those non meditated cases are the ones that matter in this argument. Of course a criminal with intent will get a gun either way, but a person that is unstable and untrained can have a gun, which can also lead to tragedy. Guns turn people into cowards. Like I've heard a LOT of old people say, younger people today are pussies and scared to take an *** whooping. You might get your *** beat, but you live to fight another day. Same applies to cops. Most of them are cowardly with gun in hand, too scared to put themselves in the line of actual danger, so they shoot first and ask questions later. Even in situations that would likely be non life threatening to them.