Gun control discussion

[Edwina's Secretary]

Then perhaps it is time to change the constitution.

It was written in a time when "arms" meant something very different than it does today -- by men who thought owning slaves was unpleasant but legal and that only rich white men should be allowed to vote (sounds like the Republican Party today!) Folks who channel the founding fathers - a game I think best left to oujia boards and parlor games - are always saying what they would have wanted. There is simply no way they could have imagined the world as it is today. The best line I have read about this is that what the founding fathers would have wanted was running water.

So many of the guns criminals get their hands on are stolen from homes..."protected by Smith and Wesson." That gun on your dresser? Burglars like cash, jewelry and guns. So while you're out walking the door what is to stop those crackheads from breaking in and taking that very convenient gun?

As for the Supreme Court affirming the right to own guns...what about ...

Congress passed the first set of federal laws regulating, licensing and taxing guns in 1934. The act was challenged and went to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1939. Franklin Delano Roosevelt's solicitor general, Robert H. Jackson, said the Second Amendment grants people a right that "is not one which may be utilized for private purposes but only one which exists where the arms are borne in the militia or some other military organization provided for by law and intended for the protection of the state." The court agreed unanimously.

Here's the thing. Things change. I would hope, as a country, we would be intelligent enough to recognize when it is time to change.

[Alysser]

Why change something that doesn't need to be changed?

Creating a scapegoat for a problem, doesn't and will NOT, stop the problem.

And for anyone wondering, I am as close to the middle as you can get in the realm of politics. If guns were banned, I am sure that Burglar would really start liking that set of butcher knives in the kitchen to. I am sure they'd also enjoy the use of the gun they have despite the fact that guns are banned.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Why change something that doesn't need to be changed?

Will you allow that some people..lots of people in fact DO believe it needs to be changed? Or must everyone believe as you do? I would consider myself middle of the road as well. I just don't like going to the movies and wondering who is packing heat.

I respect your position. Can you extend me the same?

[Alysser]

Will you allow that some people..lots of people in fact DO believe it needs to be changed? Or must everyone believe as you do? I would consider myself middle of the road as well. I just don't like going to the movies and wondering who is packing heat.

I respect your position. Can you extend me the same?

I will even go as far to say, I believe some thing needs to change. Whether it be the constitution, gun laws, or how we handle psychopaths - something DOES need to change. I didn't mean to make it sound like everyone should have my opinion, but yes, of course I can respect yours.

[Edwina's Secretary]

I will even go as far to say, I believe some thing needs to change. Whether it be the constitution, gun laws, or how we handle psychopaths - something DOES need to change. I didn't mean to make it sound like everyone should have my opinion, but yes, of course I can respect yours.

Thank you Alysser...I appreciate that!

[chocolatepuppy]

So many of the guns criminals get their hands on are stolen from homes..."protected by Smith and Wesson." That gun on your dresser? Burglars like cash, jewelry and guns. So while you're out walking the door what is to stop those crackheads from breaking in and taking that very convenient gun?

True, but there is no doubt in my mind, criminals will always have guns whether it is stolen off my dresser or not. They would love to see all of us law abiding citizens hand over our guns. That way, they wouldn't have to worry when robbing someone, on the street, or in a home, having a gun.
I am asking, those of you, who are against guns, what would you do if someone did break in your house while you were home? I seriously would like your thoughts on this. It puzzles me.

[Edwina's Secretary]

I am asking, those of you, who are against guns, what would you do if someone did break in your house while you were home? I seriously would like your thoughts on this. It puzzles me.

Leave. Far safer than trying to "out gun" someone. But then again...who said something about that???

[chocolatepuppy]

Leave. Far safer than trying to "out gun" someone. But then again...who said something about that???

If someone's coming through my kitchen or front door, I will not be able to get out! Sorry I'm in the wrong thread with this. I thought the thread was titled GUN CONTROL DISCUSSION. I thought there were people trying to make me give up my gun. Sorry, next time I'll read the title right!

[catlady1945]

Loaded gun in the bedroom = scary!

[pomtzu]

Loaded gun in the bedroom = scary!

I think I missed the point of this post. If you're implying that a spouse could use it against the other, then you don't have all the facts.

I've made it quite clear that I do not like guns, nor do I own one. However, if I lived alone with no other humans here, then I probably would reconsider having one at my disposal, for my own protection. I highly doubt that 2 little 11 and 12 pound dogs would deter anyone from breaking in and doing who knows what.

[Jessika]

Gun control will NOT keep guns out of criminals' hands. Criminals will break any laws you put forth to try to "prevent" them from committing crimes. All gun control does is punish law-abiding citizens.

I am firmly against gun control.

[Edwina's Secretary]

If someone's coming through my kitchen or front door, I will not be able to get out! Sorry I'm in the wrong thread with this. I thought the thread was titled GUN CONTROL DISCUSSION. I thought there were people trying to make me give up my gun. Sorry, next time I'll read the title right!

Not entirely sure what you mean. There is a difference between sensible gun laws and making people give up their guns. "Control" is the key word. Making it harder to buy guns...this guy in Wisconsin...a known hater/neo-nazi, etc. was able to legally buy guns. Looking at the kinds of guns people can own. And concealed carry - that is so scary. When Gabby Gifford was shot there was a guy in a pharmacy nearby who heard the commotion and had a legal gun in his pocket. He has said...his finger was on the trigger and he almost shot the guy giving Gifford first aid.

A gun in the bedroom is indeed very dangerous. Most people sleep in their bedroom. To come out of sleep and have enough wits to outshot a bad guy? You could ask the cop in Pennsylvannia who recently shot and killed his son.

The guy who the police shot yesterday in NYC. He had a knife. He was the only fatality of the incident. What if it had been a gun? In Time Square?

You want to keep a gun in your home...as long as you can assure me it will not be stolen and used to shot others - fine. I just don't want to be in school/the movies/the grocery store/the shopping mall with some who is carrying a weapon! My personal liberty - you know?

[Randi]

Isn't it amazing how we in other parts of the cilvilized world survive just fine without owing a gun?

[phesina]

Yeah, isn't that something, Randi.

People who are opposed to gun control say the criminals and bad people will always be able to get guns but the good people won't have any means of defense then.

By that logic, in countries like Denmark and Canada and England where the people can't all arm themselves for self-protection, the criminals in those countries will still have guns. So... why aren't the gun violence and death rates in those countries much worse than in the U.S.?

[chocolatepuppy]

Not entirely sure what you mean. There is a difference between sensible gun laws and making people give up their guns. "Control" is the key word. Making it harder to buy guns...this guy in Wisconsin...a known hater/neo-nazi, etc. was able to legally buy guns. Looking at the kinds of guns people can own. And concealed carry - that is so scary. When Gabby Gifford was shot there was a guy in a pharmacy nearby who heard the commotion and had a legal gun in his pocket. He has said...his finger was on the trigger and he almost shot the guy giving Gifford first aid.

A gun in the bedroom is indeed very dangerous. Most people sleep in their bedroom. To come out of sleep and have enough wits to outshot a bad guy? You could ask the cop in Pennsylvannia who recently shot and killed his son.

The guy who the police shot yesterday in NYC. He had a knife. He was the only fatality of the incident. What if it had been a gun? In Time Square?

You want to keep a gun in your home...as long as you can assure me it will not be stolen and used to shot others - fine. I just don't want to be in school/the movies/the grocery store/the shopping mall with some who is carrying a weapon! My personal liberty - you know?

I've seen many incidents where someone owning a gun saved lives, same as you're posting where it lead to more problems. I fail to see why a gun in my bedroom is very dangerous? It just sits there. But then, I'm not afraid of guns. Sorry I can't assure you it won't be stolen. But I would bet, if someone wants a gun to harm you, laws or not, they will get it.
Do know, I'm not against sensible gun laws, such as, them being registered and background checks on potential owners. Just remember, the criminals will still have any type of gun they want, regardless of the laws.