Gun control discussion

[Lady's Human]

"The only thing that will stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun." -- National Rifle Association executive vice president Wayne LaPierre
You're missing the point. The goal is to keep the gun away from the bad guy in the first place!! Hello?!!? And what if you put someone in a school who claims to be a good guy but is actually bad? Then you have an adult with a gun in close proximity to children on a daily basis. Wasn't that the whole problem to begin with?

So cops shouldn't have weapons either? After all, one of them could (and has, on occasion) turned into a bad guy with a gun.

[pomtzu]

My grandson's high school went on lockdown today. A nice quiet school in a suburban/rural setting - much like in Sandy Hook. However, this school does have a city cop stationed inside the school at all times when there are students present. This didn't deter one student tho - who pulled a gun in class today in the classroom next to where my grandson was at the time. Another student screamed "he's got a gun" - everyone hit the floor and the cop came running at full speed. The student with the gun got tazered and "escorted" to the police station. Every school district with about a 25 mile radius was notified and they all went into lockdown mode. Don't know if the kid with the gun had ill intentions, or he was just being a smart-ass. Either way - too scary to suit me!

All of this insanity needs to end!!!!

[Lady's Human]

All of this insanity needs to end!!!!

Want to help the insanity stop?

Stop glorifying these twits in the Media. Instead of Adam Lanza, refer to the perp as "Idiot #XYZ"

Just a thought.

If you knew you were going to get called a jackass in mass media for being a twit and pulling a gun in a school, would you still do it? They're pubescent publicity stunts.

[pomtzu]

If you knew you were going to get called a jackass in mass media for being a twit and pulling a gun in a school, would you still do it? They're pubescent publicity stunts.

I don't doubt that some are stunts, but what about the ones that aren't - the ones that leave multitudes dead??? Columbine......VA Tech.....Sandy Hook - just to name the most notable. There have been numerous other ones where "only a few" lives were lost, and therefore they were forgotten rather quickly! Even one life lost is one life too many.

[Edwina's Secretary]

So you think you can ban weapons from your home? Guess again. Earlier I posted other random shootings. One was an appliance repairman who had a concealed carry permit and always carries a gun in his pocket. (Shot himself in the winky as a result.)

So apparently now I must ask the Sear's repairperson if he or she is 'packing heat.' He could just as easily have shot the home owner or the homeowner's cat after all. And if they are - can I bar them from my house? And how long will I have to do without a working frig while Sear's finds a repairperson who does not routinely pack a gun?

More guns. That is the best thing the NRA can come up with?

The gun show loophole is not a big thing! Really? 40% of the guns bought are bought without the need for a background check. No criminal check, no mental health ...nada.

I do agree with LH on one thing. I work very hard to never know the names of these idiots. While still realizing the reasons they do what they do is far more complex than just the publicity.

And yes Karen - weapons are lethal. It is just some are more efficiently lethal than others. And some - guns, bombs, and land mines come to mind, exist for no reason except to be lethal.

I had been waiting for the comparison to Prohibition. But let's compare cigarettes. According to some folks there is no reason to restrict guns because Americans will just find ways to violate the law...an interesting commentary in itself. But following the logic - let's get rid of all the laws restricting cigarettes! Let children buy and smoke! Let smokers smoker whereever and whenever they want to do so. On airplanes...in restuarants...in movie theaters. After all - Americans who want to smoke are going to smoke no matter what. What about their rights??? Give teachers guns? Fine - let them smoke in the classroom too. Hospitals, church - let there be no place where freedom is curtailed!

I believe societies have the right to ban some things. Things that go against the common good. There will always be people who will violate the law. But do we stoop to the lowest common denominator?

[Lady's Human]

So you think you can ban weapons from your home? Guess again. Earlier I posted other random shootings. One was an appliance repairman who had a concealed carry permit and always carries a gun in his pocket. (Shot himself in the winky as a result.)

There are many versions of "no trespassing" signs, and if the sign is clear, that carrying a weapon on your property will be considered unlawful trespassing, there's not much someone can do about it if you call the police and report them and bar them from your property.

The gun show loophole is not a big thing! Really? 40% of the guns bought are bought without the need for a background check. No criminal check, no mental health ...nada.

Where did that stat come from? I find it difficult to believe, particularly as I have purchased firearms and know what one needs to do to legally acquire them.

I had been waiting for the comparison to Prohibition. But let's compare cigarettes. According to some folks there is no reason to restrict guns because Americans will just find ways to violate the law...an interesting commentary in itself. But following the logic - let's get rid of all the laws restricting cigarettes! Let children buy and smoke!

Kids who want to smoke smoke. it's a fact of life. If you can't even keep cigs out of the hands of kids, how effective is law enforcement going to be at another ban? Kids get booze, marijuana, ecstasy, ad nauseum, and they're all illegal already.

[Edwina's Secretary]

There are many versions of "no trespassing" signs, and if the sign is clear, that carrying a weapon on your property will be considered unlawful trespassing, there's not much someone can do about it if you call the police and report them and bar them from your property.

But that is not the point. Someone can come in your home - such as a repairperson and you do not know if they have a concealed weapon or not. The person is not trespassing. Do I have to post a "gun-free zone" on the front door? Isn't it a bit unfair that the repairperson does not have to announce they have a gun but I have to announce I do not want guns in my house? So much for that "my home is my castle" thing! Perhaps require people with concealed weapons to wear a special patch?

Where did that stat come from? I find it difficult to believe, particularly as I have purchased firearms and know what one needs to do to legally acquire them.

An interview on the radio this morning with the director of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

Kids who want to smoke smoke. it's a fact of life. If you can't even keep cigs out of the hands of kids, how effective is law enforcement going to be at another ban? Kids get booze, marijuana, ecstasy, ad nauseum, and they're all illegal already.

If that is the attitude - why have any laws? Let's throw all the laws out - because some people are going to break the law anyway! And then there is that was not my point. My point was about laws regarding WHERE you can smoke.

[Lady's Human]

My point is simple:

We as a society can regulate effectively, but bans have always been completely and totally ineffective.

There's a long history in the US of rum running, drug smuggling, and other dodges, and there are too many intelligent people who see a buck to be made if they can avoid John Law. Heck, we even smuggle 3L per flush toilets, and there's nothing customs has been able to do to stop it.

As a society we're extremely skilled about getting around bans and prohibitions of all sorts, a gun ban would just be one more avenue to make money.

[blue]

Perhaps require people with concealed weapons to wear a special patch?

Like a Gold Star or a Pink Triangle?

An interview on the radio this morning with the director of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

An unbiased group if there ever where one.

My point was about laws regarding WHERE you can smoke.

You can make me smoke outside, why wouldnt I leave my fire arm locked in my car if you didnt want it in your house?

Have you ever lived where nature can enter your yard? Coyotes, moose, or bears? Wolves maybe?

If I remember right you have visited AK. Would you visit again knowing any resident could be carrying a concealed firearm without a license?

You are also aware that full auto firearms are still legal in California?

So let's see. It's logic. Trees need trimming....the garden needs tilling...power sometimes goes out....people need shooting?

Sorry...as Spock would say..."Captain...that is not logical!"

Spock has shot people, and aliens, with a phazor and killed them, so sometimes its logical.

[cassiesmom]

Perhaps require people with concealed weapons to wear a special patch?

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it was the NRA executive vice-president who spoke about starting a national registry of people with mental illnesses. Would that include anybody who has ever taken an antidepressant or an anti-anxiety med? Heck, I've been a citizen of the Prozac Nation- do I need a special patch? H'll probably want a national registry of introverts next. We're quiet, thoughtful and some people consider us a little odd. All characteristics of the perpetrators of these tragic shootings. Maybe I need a patch for that too.

Seriously ... yes, there are things in my life that I regret, and things I would love to do over. But I'm not about to go out and start shooting people. I am trying to do a better job at not dwelling so much on past things, but to use it as a way to live differently in the future. I'm grateful for encouragement (and the occasional, virtual smack on the back of the head) from my PT Friends!

[blue]

I believe societies have the right to ban some things. Things that go against the common good.

You normally post the communist line, for the greater/common good. What could you be for, that is against against the the common good? You have my curiosity.

[Lady's Human]

I'm not afraid of people.

I have firearms for the same reason I have a chainsaw, a tiller, a generator, an axe (or 3) and many other tools. Situational preparation. It's not fear, it's logic.

[RICHARD]

I'm not afraid of people.

I have firearms for the same reason I have a chainsaw, a tiller, a generator, an axe (or 3) and many other tools. Situational preparation. It's not fear, it's logic.

oh, but you do not mention the length of the chainsaw blade.


Why do we need an 18 inch blade when a 14 incher will do?

[Edwina's Secretary]

I'm not afraid of people.

I have firearms for the same reason I have a chainsaw, a tiller, a generator, an axe (or 3) and many other tools. Situational preparation. It's not fear, it's logic.

So let's see. It's logic. Trees need trimming....the garden needs tilling...power sometimes goes out....people need shooting?

Sorry...as Spock would say..."Captain...that is not logical!"

[RICHARD]

Want to help the insanity stop?

Stop glorifying these twits in the Media. Instead of Adam Lanza, refer to the perp as "Idiot #XYZ"

Just a thought.

If you knew you were going to get called a jackass in mass media for being a twit and pulling a gun in a school, would you still do it? They're pubescent publicity stunts.

How's about the twits in the media?

I have to laugh at a few of the puppetheads who look into the camera and start to tear up - it's not for the victims, it's for the ratings......

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Here's a little tidbit for consumption.

Back in the 70's and early 80's, New Years in El Lay County was pretty much a Wild West show....at about 5 minutes to midnight you would hear people in the area around my mom's house open up with AUTO-EFFIN-MATIC weapons. (All you people with an aversion to guns probably have the same aversion to guns being fired........just sayin.........)

Having never been to war, or heard what war sounds like?

It sounded like a bad Hollywood B movie.

If you were out and about you had to make sure we were under a roof or some protected area to keep from possibly being struck by falling bullets.

At my mom's old house there was a patio area that was covered with corrugated plastic and you could hear the buck shot sprinkling across it...

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After a few instances of people getting nailed with spent rounds, the C of LA took a huge stand against beanheads shooting into the air. (pun intended)

http://articles.latimes.com/1997/dec/30/local/me-3440

The last few years I spent in El Lay County there was pretty much no noise - it you don't count car horns, people yelling or a few illegal fireworks being lit.......

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Everyone put their "assault machine extra capacity latte weapons" away for the holidays and things, with the help of a very strict and no-nonsense tolerance for pinheads, morons and idiots?

Things did get better.

Maybe people do listen?