General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Should America work towards becoming a gun-free Country? [View all]marions ghost
(19,841 posts)I can't imagine anybody coming to get your grandfather's squirrel gun, and going to prison for owning a legal gun is not even a realistic possibility. Maybe you've bought into the NRA rhetoric? Re-lax about that.
I did NOT say anywhere that we should outlaw private ownership of guns in this country. I would like for them to be limited to sport shooting like in Australia, but the numbers are too huge here and people are too obsessed with arming themselves. They never understand that it just increases the likelihood that the gun will be used against them or a member of their own family.
Guns these days are mainly symbolic--they represent the idea of safety and security and control, rather than actually providing it. There's also the element of male bonding like you describe around guns. (But no, I don't equate squirrel guns with hyper-macho AR-15 luv). So put the antique in the locked case and remember grandad. Maybe one day people won't feel we need them around the house anymore. The country would have to change a lot for us to get to that point. Not in our lifetimes, I'm sure.
Meanwhile we need far better gun laws and regulations so that the country can progress out of these dark times. For example I would favor the parents of any kid who gets his hands on a gun and injures/kills, either accidentally or on purpose, to be prosecuted just as if the adult had done the crime. Then you would see adults being a lot more responsible. That sort of common sense approach is not unreasonable.
We've all had TOO MANY gun suicides, accidents, murders and mayhem in our neighborhoods. A lot of it didn't need to happen. It is taking a toll on our society's ability to function. We are learning not to trust anyone and to fear public situations, workplaces and schools. This is sick. This is like living in a war zone.
Right now we just need to stop the needless carnage & we're not talking about squirrels.
Thanks for the friendly discussion. Refreshing.