General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Tolerance of "weapon flakes" is coming to an end. [View all]DonCoquixote
(13,616 posts)A lot of the problem is caused by those "gun Shows" where Military grade weaponry is sold like a flea market. Let me offer perspective:
I used to have a hot dog cart. In Florida. Now in Florida, the regulations on selling food were very, very strict. My cart had to have three sinks, one for rinsing, washing, and soaking. I had to be careful not to sell Candy bars, because while pastries were not regulated by the dept of agriculture, candy bars WERE. I found many of the regulations onerous, but then when i saw the crap my competition pulled, I understood full well why they were in place (namely the cleanest looking trucks could be the biggest roach coaches, and vice versa.)
However, right next to me in that same Flea, there was a guy selling martial arts weapons, including the "asp.", German baton that has either a gas cylinder or spring, meant to deliver lethal force. Add to that the "marketing": we used to have a lot of African American customers that liked us, but they would always glare at my neighbor. I overheard...apparently those weapons were begin marketed as:
" Racial expletive deleted) Be Cool sticks" or...N__BC sticks.
My point is, I was called to account to the state government for selling HOT DOGS, chased off of selling CANDY BARS. Yes some vegans may think they are lethal weapons, but few else do But my neighbor was selling a LETHAL weapon that was marketed for killing people, especially Black people. I can imagine what half my customers thought when they got their lunch from me and saw my neighbor, knowing I was clueless!
The point is, when we have a country that lets anyone sell weapons meant and marketed to KILL PEOPLE, but thinks they need to be less regulated than Hot Dogs and Candy Bars, we have a serious problem. Now, in an earlier thread, I said that i think a full out "war on guns" would end up being like the 'war on drugs"...if a yuppie wants to buy a pistol or a dimebag, nothing will stop them, and the jails will fill only with people who cannot afford lawyers.
However, making a well-regulated militia...er market will ensure that people jump through hoops to get things, and those that don't, are not martyrs to a cause. If you want the power, take the responsibility. To speak ill of the dead, Nancy Lanza, by leaving her guns around, and training the same son she thought of committing to shoot that Colt rifle, was NOT responsible. Yes, it is unfair that we have to deal with regulations, but we all know that if we did not have them, some idiot would do the unreasonable, "oh my god did someone actually do THAT? type of abuse."
Like selling weapons marketed to hurt black people next to the hot dog guy that has tons of them for customers.