Why this can't be openly debated is beyond me. [View all]

[Nuclear Unicorn]

Maybe the proponents don't want to debate in an open and free society and would, instead, prefer to dictate terms.

How the right-wing gun lobby attempts to frame arguments, or "How the NRA/ALEC gun-pushers use lies and half-truths to sell guns."

The number one argument the gun nuts use to counter calls for gun control is: "there are too many guns in the hands of Americans to ban or confiscate, so nothing can be done." What they are actually saying is: "The Democrats want to take away your guns, and we will protect your rights to keep them." Clever ad campaign, and a clever play on emotions on the part of the right-wingers, and those who apologize for them.

The correct answer to this lie is: "We don't want to take away your guns, or ban and confiscate them. We want to regulate your use of guns, and get them off of our streets and back into your homes and safely stored, where they belong." You want to go to a range or go hunting? Fine, you can do that provided you follow the laws and rules governing target shooting and hunting, and the transport of weapons to and from those venues. You want to carry a concealed weapon? The answer is no, unless you can show good cause and a judge agrees, and then only for a specified period.

Stand-your-ground laws should be repealed in the public venue, and the "duty to retreat" common sense principle of law should be reinstated. A universal background check system should be implemented, and all gun sales and transfers should be subject to the UBC system. Existing gun control regulations should be strictly enforced, and in most cases the penalties increased.

These are the root problems which need to be addressed in order to reduce our gun violence epidemic. No, we don't want to confiscate your legally purchased guns because it is neither feasible nor practical. We do, however, want to make gun owners more responsible for their guns, and regulate their use in the public venue.

Support a gun control organization and those Democratic politicians who will stand up to the right-wing gun lobby in any way that you can.

OK, let's suss this out.

You want to carry a concealed weapon? The answer is no, unless you can show good cause and a judge agrees, and then only for a specified period.

Why? Who are you, or anyone else for that matter, to tell me when I am to make myself vulnerable to violent criminals?

Stand-your-ground laws should be repealed in the public venue, and the "duty to retreat" common sense principle of law should be reinstated.

DTR has never been universal, so the premise is incorrect on its face. Even then, peaceable people do not have a duty to retreat, criminals do. How many steps backwards must a woman take before she is lawfully allowed to defend herself?

"Sorry Mrs. Henderson. You shot that serial rapist after taking 2 steps backwards when the law specifically says you had to take three. I'm afraid we must sentence you to life in prison with a minimum of 25 years before you are eligible for parole and your children will be remanded to the state."

A universal background check system should be implemented, and all gun sales and transfers should be subject to the UBC system.

OK. Make it available to private sellers as well.

Existing gun control regulations should be strictly enforced, and in most cases the penalties increased.

Why? Unless a gun is being used criminally why feed the PIC? Glad you admit, though, that the laws you do want aren't being enforced. Maybe you should start there before passing more useless laws that probably won't be enforced.

These are the root problems which need to be addressed in order to reduce our gun violence epidemic.

Congratulations. You just invalidated your credibility. You're obviously not up on current events and since gun violence is on a multi-decade decline the stated reason for your diktats has been invalidated.

We do, however, want to make gun owners more responsible for their guns, and regulate their use in the public venue.

People are facing decades in jail for trivial offenses, i.e. having an unloaded antique flintlock pistol in the glove box of their car. If your regimes are so absolutely devoid of common sense and basic decency why should you be trusted with yet more power especially since you refuse to affirm the basic human right of self-defense?