America's deadly devotion to guns.

[ToolMaker]

61. Goose, meet gander...

I'm glad you recognize that the gun-religionists' emotional arguments don't win anybody to their side

Just as I doubt that it attracts significant numbers to the other side of the debate.

Yeah, I guess an item whose main use is dealing death is something to fight.

I may be convinced to agree if it were true that guns are used mainly for "dealing death." However, even when including hunting in "dealing death", the actual numbers tell a very different story. The vast majority of guns and gun owners kill nothing more significant than paper targets.

I do agree that violence in America is an issue that needs to be addressed. I also agree that guns are misused, either through criminal intent or plain ignorance and stupidity, too often. Once is too often. However, I don't believe that we will reach a zero rate of gun related injury or death within the next 1,000 years, regardless of what laws are passed. It seems to me that your energy, and many others',on both sides of the debate would be better used looking for ways to agree on real solutions rather than insulting one another.

As distasteful as groups such as the NRA may be to many people, they have championed many legislative efforts and ideas focusing on reducing criminal actions with firearms, increasing the efffectiveness of background checks, education and safety programs and much more. Gun owners and 2nd amendment proponents are active within their communities and tend to be quite well organized. Aside from the ranting of people like Nugent and LaPierre, gun owners are very much like the average American. Probably because they are the average American. I have yet to hear any of them demand guns for everyone, the right to kill on a whim or any other of the rhetoric put forth by opposing views. What I have seen and heard is a willingness to teach safety classes, promote safe and legal use of firearms, promote wildlife management and and host of other positive activities.

It seems that the proponents of increased restrictions, almost universally, take an all or nothing stance. They reject any proposal that doesn't go far enough toward their ideal goal, rather than accept a partial victory in the fight against illegal/irresponsible gun use. I think most would agree that I you adopt an all or nothing stance, you are probably more likely to get nothing, rather than all.