Reply #42: You guys may have a point

[library_max]

regarding the politics of this issue. But how can you defend the argument that gun controls have the effect of "punishing" people for the crimes of others?

The point is to get guns, particularly automatic and high-powered guns, out of the hands of everyone except military and law-enforcement (and if anyone cares to bring up the resist-government argument, refer to post #39). NRA types talk about criminals having guns. Where do they get them? Do they just appear out of the air? Does being a "criminal" mean you can just snap your fingers and make a gun appear?

No. "Criminals" get guns where private citizens get them, or they get them from private citizens (buy, steal, or "borrow" a la Columbine). Cut off the source of guns and ammo for private citizens and you've cut off the source for criminals.

"People get drugs even though they're illegal." You can fit a million dollars worth of cocaine into a small briefcase. When you can fit a million dollars worth of guns and ammo into a small briefcase, I'll be ready to call the gun problem solved in this country.

Again, the political situation is a separate argument. The nominee, whoever it turns out to be, may need to soft-pedal the gun issue (although NO Democrat is going to get NRA support in the actual election!). But that doesn't change the rights and wrongs of it.