What is Everyones Thoughts on Gun Control

[alf4707]

I am new here and was just wondering what everyones thoughts on gun control were. It is the second amendment so the founding fathers must have thought is was second in importance only to freedom of speech, which we can all agree is a good thing. If you are going to post "facts" please post the link where you got it from. I want some hard evidence on this issue. Thanks to all.

[meganmonkey]

1. You'll find a wide range of opinions here

You may be surprised at the large number of gun owners here at DU.

There is an entire forum here dedicated to the issue: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=118

[DemoTex]

2. Come back with a few more posts and ask that question.

You are way too new to get into that issue. Otherwise, welcome.

Mac

Edit: I don't mean to be flippant, but earn some trust here. You have hit a hot button.

[Horse with no Name]

3. I think everyone's guns should be taken away

Isn't that the Democratic position?:sarcasm:
Seriously, I don't give a shit who has guns or not.
I don't think anyone NEEDS automatic weapons.
I think responsibility comes with it--you own a gun that someone gets killed with--accidentally or not--you should go to jail.

[MadMaddie]

4. Well I will warn you there will be many opinions here....

So I will give my two cents..

I don't have a problem with people owning guns if they are legally purchased and safely stored.....

It's the types of guns that concern me, there is no reason for military style automatic weapons to be on the streets of America AK47's etc....handguns and shotguns I am okay with..

And the trafficking of illegal weapons should be prosecuted to the fullest.....

Police Departments should be required to destroy all confiscated weapons not sell them in Auctions....

I could go on but have fun at DU.....:)

[alf4707]

17. Military style weapons

Another perspon posted that their is no need for "military style assualt rifles". The fact is the majority of those "military style rifles" are semi automatic only. That means they can only fire one shot with each trigger pull. All of the truly automatic rifles involve months of BATFE background checks and cost upwards of $16,000 for one of them. If someone blows that kind of money on a legal machine gun I seriously doubt they are going to use it in a crime. Criminals however do not obey the law and therefore any laws that the government passes they will not obey anyways such as murder, drugs. etc.

(Is there anyway to quote someone elses reply)

[MadMaddie]

23. This is how I take a snippet from someones post

<snip>
Text blah..blah..blah..
<snip>

[alf4707]

33. ok

On most forums next to the reply button is a quote button. I am new here so whatever.

[ScreamingMeemie]

39. Are you really going to want to eat a deer that's been blasted with

one of those? Yuck. I love deer meat but...yuck.

[Turnagain]

45. I'm with you MrsGrumpy

Eating a deer shot with a .308 Remington 7400 hunting rifle is tasty but eating one that has been shot to pieces with a 7.62mm NATO L1A1 FAL assault rifle is, as you say, yucky.

[benEzra]

56. Nice sarcasm...

considering that .308 and 7.62x51mm NATO are the same thing. :)

(Except that civilian .308 is loaded slightly hotter than the military stuff

It always cracks me up when someone talks about blowing a deer to "smithereens" with a 9mm because the gun that fires it is modern-looking, when 9mm is only about a seventh as powerful as the typical deer rifle.

[benEzra]

57. Shoot a deer with a 9mm or a .223, and it will likely run away...

and die a slow, inhumane death from its injuries, but you likely won't get to eat it. "Assault weapon" cartridges are by and large not powerful enough for deer hunting. The exception would be those few rifles chambered for moderate-powered hunting rounds, like .308 Winchester (FN FAL, AR-10, M1A) or the 1930's vintage M1 Garand.

The 9mm pistol round (TEC-9, civilian Uzi lookalikes) isn't powerful enough to hunt much of anything (rabbits, maybe?). The .223 Remington (AR-15 caliber) is widely used for hunting groundhogs, prairie dogs, and sometimes coyotes, but is considered too underpowered to humanely kill a deer. Civilian AK lookalikes can only be used for deer hunting but only if the range is very close (<125 yards), since 7.62x39mm is only half as powerful as a typical deer rifle.

[Turnagain]

44. When it comes to automatic weapons,

you are spinning your wheels, my friend. You are better off trying to explain quantum physics than trying to explain the difference between an AK 47 and a semi-auto civilian lookalike. If it looks like an AK, and shoots bullets then its an AK 47, just like on TV and in the movies. In this forum alone, keyboards have been worn out explaining the difference, all to no avail. I have no explanation for this since the explanation seems simple enough but, there it is. For many, automatic vs semi-automatic is just too alien a concept.

[benEzra]

55. Military style automatic weapons are VERY tightly controlled...

It's the types of guns that concern me, there is no reason for military style automatic weapons to be on the streets of America AK47's etc....handguns and shotguns I am okay with..

Military style automatic weapons are VERY tightly controlled, and possession of one in the United States without Federal permission (BATFE Form 4) is a 10-year Federal felony.

I think you've been misled by the ban-more-guns lobby. Automatic AK-47's and Uzi's (i.e., real ones) have ALWAYS been very, very tightly controlled in the United States.

The "assault weapon" bait-and-switch isn't about military automatic weapons; it's about CIVILIAN rifles, pistols, and shotguns that either (1) hold more than 6 or 10 rounds (or 5 shells for shotguns) or (2) have nontraditional styling.

Rifles are almost never used in homicides (all rifles combined account for less than 3% of murders annually, half as many as fists and feet), so fighting to legislate rifle stock styling is asinine.

[noahmijo]

5. Until a person proves themself to be dangerous with a firearm they should have the right to own one

Period.


And no I don't believe people should be free to own nook-kee-lar missles.

[sendero]

There is no law..

... you can pass that will be respected by someone who is willing to shoot someone.

Making legislation for the sole purpose of making people feel good (dumb people at that) has never carried much weight with me.

[mainegreen]

6. This is off to the gungeon!

Welcome to DU!

[Blackthorn]

7. "What are your thoughts on gun control?"

"Well you see, they wanna take away our guns so they can control us. It ain't that kind of party. T is gonna be strappin and cappin because T ain't nappin".

-Tasty Taste - N.W.H.

[tularetom]

8. You asked for thoughts rather than facts

If the past six years haven't convinced you of the need for the 2nd amendment you're never gonna be convinced. This admin has systematically tried to trash the constitution and the bill of rights. If left alone it would be simply a matter of time before they decided an armed citizenry was a threat to them and needed to be disarmed. And they'd have a perfect place to find out who among us owned firearms. All they'd have to do is get hold of the NRA's membership rolls, which I'm sure would be turned over to them without dispute. Hell they probably already have them. So hold onto your guns. Get more.

[phillysuse]

27. Had we not taken the House and Senate

I had planned to learn how to shoot and to get a permit and a gun to protect myself from this regime.

I still think it is a good idea for Dems to know how to protect this nation and the Bill of Rights.

[xyzpdq_us]

54. I think you still should

Get some professional training if you are unfamiliar with firearms. Take a refresher if you've been away for a while. Get your concealed carry license too.

[proud patriot]

9. I believe in all of the Bill of Rights

:hi:

[TheBaldyMan]

10. I think the US nation has an unhealthy obsession with firearms

bordering on a handgun fetish. I think Freud would have a field day.

welcome to DU by the way :hi:

[Kiouni]

11. Gun Control and Gun Safety are two

different things and obviously its the chicken and the egg metaphor. The point is that all people must support at least one.

[razors edge]

12. Hit what you aim at.

Thats gun control.

Edit: But be fully prepared to take full responsibility for the decision to fire.

[williesgirl]

13. I believe the Dems should leave well enough alone or our majorities will be short.

I personally believe in the right to have a gun and have two. Also have a concealed weapons permit.

[SoCalDem]

14. Bueller???

[SmokingJacket]

15. I personally dislike guns, but have no great interest in gun control.

I understand the second amendment stuff and know that lots and LOTS of good Americans value their right to own guns, and I respect that.

(I think guns kill more innocent people than guilty ones (my best friend growing up lost a brother in a gun accident, and I knew several young men who used guns to commit suicide), though, and wish they'd vanish from the planet, but there's no simple way of making that happen.)

So, I think strong licensing rules are the best way to go, and of course putting some limits on certain types of guns, like machine guns. But in general, I'm NOT one of those mythical Democrats who want to take your guns away!

[benEzra]

58. Machineguns are VERY tightly controlled in the United States...

possession of one without Federal permission (BATFE Form 4) is a 10-year Federal felony, under the Title 2/Class III provisions of the National Firearms Act.

[Dora]

16. You'll find a lot of discussion of that subject in the Guns Forum.

I recommend you read some of those threads. There are a diversity of opinions here.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=118

[Mr_Spock]

18. I think this is a hot topic with a lot of opinions

I'm not sure if any changes are needed at this point - I think suburban areas should have liberal gun laws, cities should be more tightly regulated - as it is now for the most part.

[AutumnMist]

19. Honestly?

I have no issues with people that own guns. I have issues with people that are idiots who own guns. If you buy one get educated about it. If its in your home store it someplace where small children and adults who know nothing about the safety of guns can reach it. Don't shoot stop signs because they are there. Killing small animals because you need target practice isn't a good way to make a point about gun ownership and the right to have them. If you act like an asshole? Well then you lose your gun like one....simple equation. My father owned a gun and he was a hard core Democrat, he never shot it just to shoot it, we never went out and decided to take things down because it was fun. He used it for one thing...and that was responsible protection. It was never displayed, it was never a "wow...look at that" thing. He just simply did his best to know what and how a gun worked. Which I think if anyone owns a weapon they should. He hasn't had to use it and I thank god for that. Just my two cents.

[flamin lib]

20. I think we should all assign a number to the various arguments so

we can just use short hand like LOL and WTF.

"Right of the people" could be #1 and "Well regulated Militia" could be #2.

"Guns vs military weapons" could be #3 and "Militia is all able bodies" could be #4.

This way the posts would be so short . . .

Well I say 1.
Yeah, I say 2.
I'll see your 2 and RAISE YOU A 4!
4 MY BUTT!! CAN'T YOU SEE 3!!!

Save everybody a lot of typing.

Just sayin' . . .

[two gun sid]

21. I am a gun owner and I would welcome real debate on ...

gun control. The amount of gun violence in this country concerns me.

[Greyhound]

22. 5...

[Zomby Woof]

24. "is was second in importance"?

We're screwn.

"Links" are not the be all and end all for debating on the internet. Sources vary greatly in quality, and whether in print or in cyberspace, should be questioned vigorously. If you doubt the veracity of our facts, do your own research.

Cracks me up that as soon as the Democrats get control of Congress, the idiot Republicans start getting antsy about guns.

Relax. Gun control is passe. The Brady Law and the assault weapons ban were the only major developments concerning guns in the past 20 years. The former has not infringed on anyone's Second Amendment rights, and the latter was repealed by the current Congress.

For further insights on gun obsession and erectile dysfunction, check my journal.

Oh, and ditch the "founding fathers" tripe. The framers weren't gods, they were flawed politicians. Smarter than most of today's variety, but not divine by any stretch.

[Floogeldy]

25. I'm a big believer in total freedom.

That would include owning a fucking howitzer if you want to.

Me, I bought a .38 police special back in the 70's but I've never fired it.

[SPKrazy]

26. Leave Guns Alone

unless they are automatic weapons such as machine guns, or heavy weapons like a frickin' bazooka

guns are part of life for many

if you ever want to retake the south from repukes

you can't go after their guns,

so laws are not bad, but gun control is a ticket to self destruction

[MichaelHarris]

28. Gun control

is what the NRA uses to whip consevatives into a frenzy. Very very few Dems want to take anyone's guns. The Neo-Cons use it as a tool to garner votes from Joe Toothless. I don't care if you own a gun, park a tank in your driveway and I'm gonna worry.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

29. Vegetable peelers only will be allowed!

:evilgrin: :grouphug: :rofl:

[B3Nut]

30. How about cheese graters?

You gotta have those in Wisconsin, to defend yourself against unshredded cheese! :D How can you put cheese on your chili otherwise?

Todd in Beerbratistan

[alf4707]

32. Repeal the ban

They should however repeal the 1986 machine gun ban, but should keep the stringent background checks.

[steve2470]

31. oh you did it now.....I made this mistake once too

*ducks*

[ScreamingMeemie]

34. You tell me yours and I'll tell you mine.

:hi: ..and why the quotes around "facts"? :shrug:

[upi402]

35. L8r, too much to do - it would sink us

[Laelth]

36. Not a subject the Democratic party can touch right now.

I'm not messin' with the 2nd Amendment. We may need those guns if * doesn't leave office in 2008.

(Not like we could win against the US military.)

-Laelth

[Cleita]

37. I think Howard Dean had the best solution

that gun control should be local. There are places like urban centers that need strong gun control and rural areas where fire arms can be a necessity. I feel local control is best.

[Jcrowley]

38. Provide jobs and security

and economic justice and watch the violent crime rate drop like a stone and the gun control "issue" will disappear.

Gun control is just another diversion used to divide while the underlying issues go ignored.

[Jamastiene]

40. Well, IMHO, it is a good idea to control

where a gun is aiming when the trigger is pulled, lest someone shoots someone or something they didn't intend to shoot. That might be sort of funny, but it's my honest opinion on gun control. I believe in civil rights and it's a civil right. :D

Welcome do DU, btw. :hi:

[AlinPA]

41. If you don't control where you put your gun in your house and your kids

play with a loaded one and shoot one another, then I'm for gun control. If you don't contol guns in a prison, you could have some problems. If you don't control who owns them such as mentally ill or felons, it is possible you might have a problem. If you aim at a target and you don't control the gun, you could miss. How am I doing?

[newworld]

42. ? I wonder ?

.....I wonder how many gun owners her would give up their right to own any means of self defense if "big brother" came a knockin.

....I know I sure as hell wouldnt, I will keep and arm bears till the day I die!

[iverglas]

43. what are you on about?

I am new here and was just wondering what everyones thoughts on gun control were. ... If you are going to post "facts" please post the link where you got it from. I want some hard evidence on this issue.

If I tell you what my thoughts on gun control are, my thoughts on gun control being facts (you can find 'em all over the place here, so they seem to be facts), you want me to post links to ... where I got my thoughts from, and hard evidence of ... my thoughts?

I'll run home and get my brain-wave-o-meter now. Anything to oblige.

[Raskolnik]

49. Yeah, how *dare* someone ask for opinions? The NERVE.

You were absolutely right to be indignant, Iverglas. A discussion forum is no place to ask for discussion.

[iverglas]

51. hmm

I think I'll go home for dinner and ponder on what the fuck you're talking about.

Or not.

[Raskolnik]

52. I agree with your post--

--if someone asks for discussion using improper phrasing, you should be sure to avoid the actual topic and only respond with sarcasm.

Its the only way that people will learn to conform to your standards.

Have a good dinner, Iverglas. I hope its up to your standards.

[slackmaster]

46. Use both hands

And always observe the rules of firearm safety.

[Xela]

47. I love it...

That brought a smile to my day.

Thanks slackmaster.

Xela

[Xela]

48. Enough gun laws...

Basically, I think we have enough gun laws. And I wouldn't mind if some were rolled back.

Xela

[Raskolnik]

50. I like all of the Bill of Rights. n/t

[xyzpdq_us]

53. Gun control will cost seats

After 1994, it should be pretty obvious that any politician who votes for something like the assault weapons ban may be out on the street looking for a new job. Pres. Clinton said that the 94 assault weapon ban cost 20-something seats in the House. I tried to find the actual quote, but can't seem to Google it.

I am a fan of the Bill of Rights. In addition, I enjoy shooting and will do what is necessary to protect my family.