Enough already...

[tpt1]

Don't we get it yet? Enough of the guns... people, you don't need so many guns... they get in the wrong hands...

http://www.amsterdamnews.com/news/da...9bb2963f4.html

[Vaughan]

No, those in power don't get it. They won't ever get it. The gun lobby is far too powerful. It'll defeat any attempt by democracy to tame it. Weapons are more important to some people.

Just this morning I heard a commentator on the radio rolling out the same tired argument - "The only way to stop a gunman is with a gun - what we should do is arm the teachers." No, I'm not making it up. He really did think introducing more guns to schools was the answer.

Family members can die. Children can die. People will be shot in their homes, in their cars, at the mall and school. It's never enough. Never too much. There is no way to break through hackneyed and tired rhetoric to move the discussion forward.

There won't be change for you, for your families, for your kids, or loved ones. The fear of gun control - let alone bans - is too great. Money talks. And if you advocate gun control you will be attacked, labelled a liberal, and dismissed.

These truths mean the clock is now ticking until the next mass killing in America. It might be in a school,, a mall, or workplace. It might be on your street. But it's going to happen as certainly as night follows day. You can't do anything about it.

[Ianant]

Originally Posted by Vaughan

No, those in power don't get it. They won't ever get it. The gun lobby is far too powerful. It'll defeat any attempt by democracy to tame it. Weapons are more important to some people.

Just this morning I heard a commentator on the radio rolling out the same tired argument - "The only way to stop a gunman is with a gun - what we should do is arm the teachers." No, I'm not making it up. He really did think introducing more guns to schools was the answer.

Family members can die. Children can die. People will be shot in their homes, in their cars, at the mall and school. It's never enough. Never too much. There is no way to break through hackneyed and tired rhetoric to move the discussion forward.

There won't be change for you, for your families, for your kids, or loved ones. The fear of gun control - let alone bans - is too great. Money talks. And if you advocate gun control you will be attacked, labelled a liberal, and dismissed.

These truths mean the clock is now ticking until the next mass killing in America. It might be in a school,, a mall, or workplace. It might be on your street. But it's going to happen as certainly as night follows day. You can't do anything about it.

Right on. As soon as this horrid story dies down, bet your life there will be more shootings, not necessarily this horrid, but more to come for sure. Sick but true.

Meanwhile, I remain frustrated. It's been several years since I've embarked on outer space travels and I am yet to find any truly intelligent forms of life out there. The closest I've found is what we have here on earth. Correct, that would be those beings called humans who purport or propose to have a high degree of intelligence.

[jazzbluescat]

Originally Posted by Vaughan

..........
..........if you advocate gun control you will be attacked, labeled a liberal, and dismissed.

.....

And, the flip-side of that coin is: If you advocate owning a gun for, e.g., home protection, target shooting, you're labeled a right-wing gun-totting zealot. I love to target shoot at the local indoor range, and home-invasion is a real danger. Plus, when I travel alone out-of-town I feel the need for concealed carry.

I have real sympathy for those families that lost loved ones. But, as far as giving up my right to own/carry a gun, I don't know whether to say "Sorry" or "Kiss my ass/No way." I'm a law-abiding citizen. The people I worry most about are the ones living outside the law, the ones that you can pass laws from now to Kingdom-Come and it won't matter to them. When you/we can control that issue I'll gladly give up my gun, sacrifice my target-shooting.

[Homer]

I would agree to a severe curbing of gun rights. No semi automatics, no large clips, a wide expansion and slowdown of background checks, annual re-validation of permits. You're guilty of a crime, even running a traffic light - no gun for you.

I'm also in agreement with an in car breath analyzer to stop drunk crazies from driving. One DUI and your car gets one of these. Set the limit low - .05 should do the trick.

I would like anyone on unemployment to attend continuing education as a requirement for benefits. Minimum of 20 hrs per week with homework assignments. You choose not to attend, you give up your benefits.

[slowshoes]

The NRA loves the wild west analogy - we need guns so I can shoot you before you shoot me. You don't have to look any further than the murder of Nancy Lanza by her son using her own guns to see how flawed this arguement is.

Assault weapons have only one use - killing people. Ban them, and melt down every one that is found by law enforcement.

Ditto Homer's comments on background checks and permits and the right to own a gun.

[jazzbluescat]

Originally Posted by Homer

I would agree to a severe curbing of gun rights. No semi automatics, no large clips, a wide expansion and slowdown of background checks, annual re-validation of permits. You're guilty of a crime, even running a traffic light - no gun for you.

I'm also in agreement with an in car breath analyzer to stop drunk crazies from driving. One DUI and your car gets one of these. Set the limit low - .05 should do the trick.

I would like anyone on unemployment to attend continuing education as a requirement for benefits. Minimum of 20 hrs per week with homework assignments. You choose not to attend, you give up your benefits.

And those on social assistance be subject to random drug testing, with serious consequences for illegal usage.

Can't give up my semi-auto 1911, tho.

[tpt1]

Isn't it reasonable to impose limits on what an ordinary citizen can legally possess? I mean, the Newtown shooter had an assault rifle and enough rounds to kill all 600 students in that school. Not to mention the two hand guns and the shotgun. His mother owned all of that under Connecticut law.

Something is drastically wrong with this picture.

[tpt1]

Unemployment? Why are we talking about unemployment in this thread?

20 innocent children and 6 adults were murdered.

[Ianant]

Originally Posted by tpt1

Isn't it reasonable to impose limits on what an ordinary citizen can legally possess? I mean, the Newtown shooter had an assault rifle and enough rounds to kill all 600 students in that school. Not to mention the two hand guns and the shotgun. His mother owned all of that under Connecticut law.

Something is drastically wrong with this picture.

How about these pictures:
There are over 30,000 gun deaths in the U.S. each year
There are an estimated 280 million firearms in civilian hands
There are enough guns in the US to arm nearly every man, woman and child here

That is just three disgusting facts regarding how f&*king sick this world that we live in is.

You can read more here if you have the time:
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/280-m...ath-on-the-way

Sick. One day a real rain will come (to quote the Clash) and wash all the filth off the streets, or off this planet, and that day will come though not by rain, but by whatever.

[Vaughan]

those on social assistance be subject to random drug testing

How about everyone should take regular drugs tests, for weed and the rest. If anyone fails a test, they pay a fine of $1000, which goes to fund state-run rehab. I mean, why stop at those on social assistance? These drugs are illegal for all. Sounds reasonable to me.

But yes, why this has come up in this thread is beyond me. It's all part of the smokescreen thrown to avoid making the hard decisions. Next up is discussion of the relativity of illegal actions.

What it comes down to is the creation of paranoia. Which is good business for the gun lobby. They want the doubt. They want the fear. The more of it there is, the more they sell. Fear and paranoia is their business, it's their marketing budgets, the best advertising they can hope for.

So lobby to ensure there is never a change, feed the paranoia and fear, and watch the dollars roll in. Use those dollars to reap a nice profit, and to pay for more lobbying.

Gun control is about control. Not bans. You want to go to the local gun club and do target shooting? Not a problem. Leave the guns at the gun club.

The day I feel I need a gun because I fear home invasion is the day I move home. What is more valuable than your life? There are obvious alternatives to arming yourself. But they don't feed the necessary fear and paranoia that sells more weapons.

[Homer]

I think you're onto something with the drug testing and fines. I agree with you, it should be a requirement for everyone.

I don't own a gun. I don't like them.

[jonesy]

It's time to re-write the 2nd Amendment. King George and the Redcoats are long gone.

[jazzbluescat]

Originally Posted by Homer

I think you're onto something with the drug testing and fines. I agree with you, it should be a requirement for everyone.

......

Maybe so, but I was thinking of those on public/our tax money assistance.

I digress....

[jazz oud]

As long as we're looking for creative solutions, how's this:

If you want to buy a gun, you have to win a duel with another prospective purchaser.