Gun Debate Heats Up

**GREENBACK** · 01-15-2013, 12:41 PM

The N.R.A. and the gun industry should hire Obama as their spokesman. He's created more sales and memberships in the past month than they possibly could have on their own

**frank_1982** · 01-17-2013, 09:30 AM

I'm British. I'm not sure what to say about this situation on gun laws.

Maybe they need to restrict guns by having some sort of test in mental stability, and handling procedure. You'll never stop someone from murdering, but maybe you can minimize the risk.

Bring in licensing rather than have it over the counter. Cars kill people, we have an age restriction and licensing for those. Why not do the same for guns?

**bjl584** · 01-17-2013, 10:50 AM

Originally posted by frank_1982 View Post

I'm British. I'm not sure what to say about this situation on gun laws.

Maybe they need to restrict guns by having some sort of test in mental stability, and handling procedure. You'll never stop someone from murdering, but maybe you can minimize the risk.

Bring in licensing rather than have it over the counter. Cars kill people, we have an age restriction and licensing for those. Why not do the same for guns?

The 2nd Amendment to the Constitution makes the things that you mentioned very tricky (by design.) But, there is some talk of mental health checks gaining bipartisan support. And there are already age restrictions on guns. You have to be 18 to buy ammo and 21 to buy most guns.

**GREENBACK** · 01-17-2013, 01:25 PM

It's very unfortunate that so much emphasis is being placed on the firearms that have been used in these horrible tragedies and not nearly enough emphasis on why these people committed these acts. I find it ironic that at one time guns were much more attainable than they are now and these types of events were practically unheard of. You could actually mail order guns at one time.

Chicago and D.C. are classic examples of how more strict controls do nothing to modify behavior. Criminals and mentally defective people with criminal intent will find a way around any law. We really should address these societal problems instead of just focusing on the tools used. I'd feel no better if the Newtown or Colorado crimes had been committed with bombs instead of guns. I can only surmise that it's politically expedient and much easier to go for the low hanging fruit.

**riverwed070707** · 01-17-2013, 02:40 PM

Originally posted by bjl584 View Post

The 2nd Amendment to the Constitution makes the things that you mentioned very tricky (by design.) But, there is some talk of mental health checks gaining bipartisan support. And there are already age restrictions on guns. You have to be 18 to buy ammo and 21 to buy most guns.

Which is a waste of time becuase in all of the incidents that are bringing these talks up none of the guns were legally issued to the asailant. Most were issued to family and obviously just because the owner is sane doesn't mean their relatives are.

**frank_1982** · 01-18-2013, 12:13 AM

Originally posted by GREENBACK View Post

It's very unfortunate that so much emphasis is being placed on the firearms that have been used in these horrible tragedies and not nearly enough emphasis on why these people committed these acts. I find it ironic that at one time guns were much more attainable than they are now and these types of events were practically unheard of. You could actually mail order guns at one time.

Chicago and D.C. are classic examples of how more strict controls do nothing to modify behavior. Criminals and mentally defective people with criminal intent will find a way around any law. We really should address these societal problems instead of just focusing on the tools used. I'd feel no better if the Newtown or Colorado crimes had been committed with bombs instead of guns. I can only surmise that it's politically expedient and much easier to go for the low hanging fruit.

I completely agree that crimes committed are gonna happen with or without restrictions, but there has to be something done in America's education system as far as mental health and well-being. Most of these high school shootings are because of bullying or parental issues. They feel that they aren't being heard, and see that other shooters got fame on TV. So they repeat what others have done in the past.

They try and fill the void at first by fantasising using violent media, but soon that fantasy just doesn't help with the pain, and they have to actually do the action. Most serial killers follow this pattern of fantasy and eventually acting out the fantasy when simulation just doesn't work anymore.

I think with a mix of further safety rules on who can gain access, education and a major change in American mental health awareness may help. Even if the person about to act out these atrocities doesn't feel they need help. Spotting subtle signs, and people acting on those may save lives

**Tabs** · 01-18-2013, 06:55 PM

I'm a gun owner and I am pro-gun. I'm just throwing that out in advance so that people will understand my position on this issue.

I don't like parts of the assault weapons ban as it is currently being proposed. For example, I am not sure how imposing a nationwide magazine ammo capacity will actually curb crime really.

On the other hand, I really don't like how the NRA is responding to this as well. More armed guards in every school? That sounds nice on paper, but there is an associated cost and implementation that should be considered for an already straining school budgets. Worse, blame everything else except guns? Blame Video games?

Why don't we just blame the shooters? They're the source of all this problem.

Personally, I believe in regulation, not restriction. Why do these killers have such an easy access to firearms? Every responsible firearm owner knows how important it is to lock up and secure their firearm, so why is this not enforced? Why not make securing firearms a national awareness campaign? I wouldn't even mind if it was made punishable by law.

What about mandatory firearm safety training? We have mandatory driving safety training, why not firearms, which is just as dangerous when it is used unsafely. I'm OK with that too.

I'm also OK with mandatory background checks for all firearm sales, including ones in gun shows and private sales, although I understand that it is difficult to implement, but it is a reasonable expectation in my opinion.

But to restrict firearms to only 10 rounds? I don't understand measures like that.

**frank_1982** · 01-21-2013, 02:56 AM

I've heard there is more gun crime in the UK than Canada. I'm not sure if it is true, but if it is it may indicate that either population density or that legislation is far from the cause of gun related crime

**Tabs** · 01-21-2013, 01:04 PM

I know this is only the Guardian, but basically, Puerto Rico has one of the highest crime rates in the world:

guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2012/jul/22/gun-homicides-ownership-world-list

And yet, it is also extremely restrictive in terms of gun laws:

nraila.org/gun-laws/articles/2008/puerto-rico-firearms-laws.aspx?s=puerto+rico&st=&ps=

Apologies in advance for not being able to provide clickable links as I don't have enough posts to do so.

Also, the second link is fairly long, but to give you guys a quick context, article 459b states that it is a felony to buy the wrong caliber ammo, and that can land you anywhere from 3 to 12 years for doing so.

I realize as well that this is Puerto Rico, and not the US, but the US actually does own Puerto Rico, and distant thoughts of statehood has been uttered before. Their government services are also fairly Americanized as well.

Anyways, I have no problems toward responsible gun ownership, but this assault weapons ban idea... well, the bottom line is, they're not going to stop school shootings. I hear that Puerto Rican criminals rent their guns from established illegal gun dealers, and as part of the service they provide, the guns are hidden again so that those who commit the killings are never caught with guns on them.

Gun Debate Heats Up