Gun Control

[Blackcat31]

This whole debate really boils my blood, so I'll keep my mouth shut ::

However, I did want to add this link to provide a little bit of international perspective Gun Laws in Canada Help Counter US-Style Massacres

The comment section is quite diverse, and has alot of food for thought ...

Depends on how you view the statistics.

The U.S has ten times the population that Canada does.

The fire arm related death rate is higher in Canada than the U.S.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_firearm-related_death_rate

[MarinaVanessa]

Aspergers is not a mental illness.

I was referring to the fact that he was diagnosed and struggled with depression throughout a large portion of his life and has had suicidal tendencies.

[originalkat]

Sure bet you'd change your mind if we had a civil war and had to fight the oppression of a tyrant in office at the White House. Just sayn.

I couldn't agree more!

[originalkat]

I have to politely disagree with the assault rifle opinion. I am one of those that owns an AR-15, several hunting rifles and quite a few handguns. Licensing knows that we own them and we have showed them where they and the ammo is kept. I am a responsible gun enthusiast and follow all laws including following the requirements to owning the AR-15.

I think that instead of pointing fingers to place blame on gun control laws or to ban assault rifles our focus should be more on better access to mental health care for the general population. Or if anything, place blame where it is due ... such as the aggressors and perhaps parents if the agressor is a child.

If making something illegal will reduce or remove unwanted behavior and actions then why is that we still have a drug problem in america? Just because drugs are illegal does not make them inaccessible. I don't think that banning assault rifles will help matters because if someone determined to hurt someone can't get a hold of one then they'll simply use a handgun, a shotgun, a bomb, a knife, a brick, a baseball bat, a kitchen knife, a piece of rope ... anything they can get their hands on.

I completely agree with you Marina Vanessa. We are also gun enthusiasts and own an assault rifle along with other handguns. Making something illegal does not diminish it's use. It does take away the legal right to bear arms. We are in America for a reason...FREEDOM.
Quotes from our founding fathers:

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government"
-- Thomas Jefferson, 1 Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good"
-- George Washington

"This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it or their revolutionary right to dismember it or overthrow it."
-- Abraham Lincoln, 4 April 1861

A few more quotes:
...Virtually never are murderers the ordinary, law-abiding people against whom gun bans are aimed. Almost without exception, murderers are extreme aberrants with lifelong histories of crime, substance abuse, psychopathology, mental retardation and/or irrational violence against those around them, as well as other hazardous behavior, e.g., automobile and gun accidents."
-- Don B. Kates, writing on statistical patterns in gun crime

"Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom."
-- John F. Kennedy

The right of the citizens to keep and bear arms has justly been considered as the palladium of the liberties of a republic; since it offers a strong moral check against usurpation and arbitrary power of rulers; and will generally, even if these are successful in the first instance, enable the people to resist and triumph over them."
-- Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story of the John Marshall Court

No kingdom can be secured otherwise than by arming the people. The possession of arms is the distinction between a freeman and a slave.
-- "Political Disquisitions", a British republican tract of 1774-1775

What country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time that his people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms.
-- Thomas Jefferson, letter to Col. William S. Smith, 1787

[Country Kids]

I understand both sides. I have never had anyone close have their life taken with a gun so I can't say I know what that feels like personally but do understand for people that have.

What I personally do not like is what I saw happen last night-the anger over it. I was watching (Piers Morgan I believe) and there was just so much anger from the people that want guns banned. Anytime someone for guns tried to explain something, another question was thrown at them and then they were asked to explain that before getting to answer the first. Then they were accused of not wanting to answer questions. I didn't get to watch it all but it just seemed like alot of people yelling a each other trying to prove their point and not solving a thing.

Everyday people are killed by different things but I think the panic comes from it happening to many people at once. It really bothered me on these children and everyday I feel a lose when watching tv.

Fires, car wrecks, people driving under the influenze (drugs/alcohol), guns, drugs/alcohol, knives, AIDS are some of the things people die from every day. I'm sure there are 20 people that die in fires everyday but not in one place. We had one here in our town this week. Definetly 20 people die in car wrecks a day as long as the rest of my list. The thing is, its not in a concentrated area so one it doesn't get the media coverage. There was a mall shooting last week in my area and it received 1 day of coverage. They had the memorials for the victims (two) this week but I don't know if they received any coverage.

Aids kills thousands of people a year. Should we outlaw sex so that it can't be spread anymore to innocent people and children that it is passed too? People that knowingly have it pass it to others on a daily basis with no problem. Drugs are only have the problem with that killer.

I can't live in fear, not let my family. I could get in my car today and be killed in it. It probably wouldn't receive any coverage nor make a lasting impression but I would be one of 20 people if not more that died in a car wreck that day. I just have to go forward knowing I'm trying to make the world a better place by raising a great family and trying to pass kindness to others. Its the best I personally can do but arguing and fighting are not going to solve anything.

[laundrymom]

I just want to hug you! I love your response. You rock.

I understand both sides. I have never had anyone close have their life taken with a gun so I can't say I know what that feels like personally but do understand for people that have.

What I personally do not like is what I saw happen last night-the anger over it. I was watching (Piers Morgan I believe) and there was just so much anger from the people that want guns banned. Anytime someone for guns tried to explain something, another question was thrown at them and then they were asked to explain that before getting to answer the first. Then they were accused of not wanting to answer questions. I didn't get to watch it all but it just seemed like alot of people yelling a each other trying to prove their point and not solving a thing.

Everyday people are killed by different things but I think the panic comes from it happening to many people at once. It really bothered me on these children and everyday I feel a lose when watching tv.

Fires, car wrecks, people driving under the influenze (drugs/alcohol), guns, drugs/alcohol, knives, AIDS are some of the things people die from every day. I'm sure there are 20 people that die in fires everyday but not in one place. We had one here in our town this week. Definetly 20 people die in car wrecks a day as long as the rest of my list. The thing is, its not in a concentrated area so one it doesn't get the media coverage. There was a mall shooting last week in my area and it received 1 day of coverage. They had the memorials for the victims (two) this week but I don't know if they received any coverage.

Aids kills thousands of people a year. Should we outlaw sex so that it can't be spread anymore to innocent people and children that it is passed too? People that knowingly have it pass it to others on a daily basis with no problem. Drugs are only have the problem with that killer.

I can't live in fear, not let my family. I could get in my car today and be killed in it. It probably wouldn't receive any coverage nor make a lasting impression but I would be one of 20 people if not more that died in a car wreck that day. I just have to go forward knowing I'm trying to make the world a better place by raising a great family and trying to pass kindness to others. Its the best I personally can do but arguing and fighting are not going to solve anything.

[DBug]

Depends on how you view the statistics.

The U.S has ten times the population that Canada does.

The fire arm related death rate is higher in Canada than the U.S.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...ted_death_rate

:confused: US is listed at 10.2 per 100,000 people whereas Canada is listed at 4.78 per 100,000 people ... unless I'm reading it wrong?

Granted, Canada's info on that chart is from '92.

[Crystal]

There are 90 gun related fatalities in the U.S. every day. That is 32,850 gun related deaths per year, barring we do not have mass shootings such as the one at Sandy Hook Elementary. I would think that that would be significant enough to prompt some sort of gun/ammunition control, and open people's eyes to the need of some sort of preventative measures. But, I guess not.

[Country Kids]

There are 90 gun related fatalities in the U.S. every day. That is 32,850 gun related deaths per year, barring we do not have mass shootings such as the one at Sandy Hook Elementary. I would think that that would be significant enough to prompt some sort of gun/ammunition control, and open people's eyes to the need of some sort of preventative measures. But, I guess not.

I understand what you are saying Crystal but look at the statics on aids killing people and its not seeming to get better-only worse. Remember this is only happening in the last 30 years. I guessing more people are infected daily from Aids then gun related deaths. So if we can ban guns, can we ban sex?


U.S. Aids Statistics

Data



Number of People in the U.S. living with an AIDS diagnosis

479,161



Estimated number of people in the U.S. living with HIV

1.2 Million



Number of People diagnosed with AIDS in 2009

34,993



Estimate number of new AIDS infections each year

50,000



Percent of new infections that occurred in gay and bisexual men

61 %



U.S. AIDS rate per 100,000 population

11.2



Number of people in the U.S. who have died from AIDS

617,025



City with the highest AIDS rate per 100,000 population – Miami

37.2



State with the highest AIDS rate per 100,000 population – New York

24.6



Number of children (<13) living with an AIDS diagnosis

4,04

[Crystal]

I see absolutely no relevance in comparing AIDS to gun related deaths. People's sexual activity cannot, in any way, be controlled or curbed by our government. Gun related deaths can. I think it is silly to even compare the two.

[MyAngels]

There are 90 gun related fatalities in the U.S. every day. That is 32,850 gun related deaths per year, barring we do not have mass shootings such as the one at Sandy Hook Elementary. I would think that that would be significant enough to prompt some sort of gun/ammunition control, and open people's eyes to the need of some sort of preventative measures. But, I guess not.

Gun control will be an uphill battle in this country for several reasons.

There are 300 million guns already in this country (as of 2010). Banning the sale and/or manufacture of new weapons won't alter that. I think it was MarinaVanessa who said it is unrealistic to expect legal gun owners to willingly give up their previously purchased guns without some form of compensation and she is right. With a country that's already in deficit there is no funding for the massive buy back program it would take to even put a dent in the already existing weapons ownership.

I think banning the high capacity magazines is an idea, but again, there are already untold numbers of these circulating now. After the assault weapon ban was lifted in 2004 gun enthusiasts bought up all they could find in the event the ban was reinstated. They've been easily obtainable as military surplus in recent years and they're unregulated.

Regulating the sale of certain types of ammunition might be possible, but it's easy and common for individuals to make their own rounds, too, so that's not quite as easy as it sounds, either.

I have no doubt that due to the visceral and emotional reactions to these recent tragedies and most especially due to the Newtown Massacre that some sort of gun control will be pushed, and pushed hard. What I would hate to see is all of the attention focused on that so that it becomes seen as the be-all-end-all solution to this problem. This is a multi-faceted problem and just as much, if not more, attention needs to be focused on both the mental health aspect and societal aspect of this as well.

[Country Kids]

I see absolutely no relevance in comparing AIDS to gun related deaths. People's sexual activity cannot, in any way, be controlled or curbed by our government. Gun related deaths can. I think it is silly to even compare the two.

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/10/sex_predator_adam_lee_brown_wi.html

Chrystal please read the above link. These children were as innocent as the ones that were in CT. I knew some of these children and what they went through will be an everlasting event in their lives. Two of the children were adopted from another country where conditions were horrible to come to the USA and then have this happen to them.

By the way these children were being abused at a childcare. Yes, the parents did all the right measures in checking it out and that. One parent was a state police officer/the other a nurse. It was a respected childcare.

In another article I read, he told the little girl the spiders will get you if you tell mommy or daddy. Imagine if that was your child or someone you knew.

Yes, this isn't about gun control but it is about another type of killer to people. A killer that does take as many lives if not more as guns.

[Blackcat31]

:confused: US is listed at 10.2 per 100,000 people whereas Canada is listed at 4.78 per 100,000 people ... unless I'm reading it wrong?

Granted, Canada's info on that chart is from '92.

Sorry, I posted the wrong link. http://warnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2...ent-crime.html

I wasn't really trying to make a big deal....just with all the talk and stuff, it just seems there is so much info (conflicting info) going around.

I don't suppose it really matters either way since I personally believe that banning guns will do nothing to change the issue at hand.

I think there are many more influences and contributing factors to situations like the one that just happened other than guns.

So I suppose pointng out what countries are or aren't safer or have more guns or don't really doesn't matter since I doubt any of us are planning a move soon...

[wahmof3]

First of all, like every single one of you, am I deeply saddened by the horrific tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary school.

I am law abiding citizen and we own several guns. We are responsible and teach our children gun safety. My DH has his concealed carry and I will be taking the class after the first of the year to get mine.

When the news broke about the massacre the newscaster really made sense when he said.... we may never know why and it will be very hard for us to understand. He said rational people will never understand what an irrational person does. (something along those lines).

So someone had mentioned putting safety measures into our school systems. I think that every school should be equip with a resource/police officer. Here is the problem with that- FUNDING. I am so disgusted that my county/school district does not have money. We are lower middle class and feel taxed to death, but I hate that there is no money. I agree 100% with those that say there needs to be reform within the school system. But in the financial hardship our district is in, we could never afford to have a resource officer in the building.

Another thing- my counties sheriff's department is in a financial hardship as well. We are down to one patrol on the roads and crime is on the rise in my area. Is it because our police force is weak? Or just the world we are turning into? Both? I don't know, but I know that I am able to protect my family because of my right to bear arms.

Like others have said- regardless of gun control regulation if someone wants to do a horrific massacre they will find a way with or without gun laws.

[Scout]

I find it absolutely fascinating to see everyone's views on this. That said, I am quite surprised only a few of us think that a massive gun control change is in order. Every one of us is entitled to our own opinions, even when they differ. It is clear that I am in the minority here but, that's okay. It is what it is! Our country had a terrible loss & nothing can change that. It is my belief however, just as others think not, that gun control could possibly prevent this from happening again. I guess only time will tell what our govt. decides is best. I may or may not agree with it, but, I will still be a citizen of the best dang country on Earth!! I hope that nothing like this ever happens again, in your neighborhood or mine. It has already happened in mine three times since 1994. Maybe this is why my stance isn't altered at all by everyone's input. Life goes on for me, I wish it did for those 26 victims. I will have my children here to celebrate the holidays, they will not. I am thankful for every single day with my family and the events of the last week have just made that stronger. I know that is something EVERY ONE of us can agree on!!