But when it comes to speech/expression it's easy, anything goes. When it comes to "arms" someone has to make an arbitrary decision about which modern weapons fall within the "intent and spirit" of the second amendment, and which modern weapons don't.
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The General Terrorist Rampage Thread
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But when it comes to speech/expression it's easy, anything goes. When it comes to "arms" someone has to make an arbitrary decision about which modern weapons fall within the "intent and spirit" of the second amendment, and which modern weapons don't.
gourimoko
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Absolutely, I actually made the exact same argument two pages back about our changing gun culture. This isn't traditions of American frontiersmen, the pioneers, or even in the West. This is something wholly different, that, like you said, comes from a romanticization about the past... not a historical or cultural account of it.
TyGuy
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So do we want to ban all guns, just assault rifles, or is there a specific policy that needs to be in place that isn't? Because I typically only see generic "need more gun control" or ban all assault rifles; yet hand guns are still the #1 offender of mass shootings. I see very few people that want to commit to an all gun ban, but it appears we have some here.
Speaking for myself...I'd ban all guns that could realistically get off more than, say, six shots in a 30-second span? Is that crazy? I know next to nothing about guns
I'm not saying this would be a complete solution to all gun-related problems in America, of course, but something along these lines would seem like a good first step.
Gouri's point that the spirit of the second amendment is to ensure that the people have access to the same arms as the government is a good one, but it's been true for a long time that the government has access to far more powerful weapons than the people (tanks, planes, ...), so I don't think taking assault weapons and such out of the people's hands changes the people vs government dynamic in a meaningful way.
gourimoko
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I think we should debate the merits of a UK/Japan-style gun ban.
I don't know if there's anyone here that supports such a move, but I think it's worth discussing the pros and cons.
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Speaking for myself...I'd ban all guns that could realistically get off more than, say, six shots in a 30-second span? Is that crazy? I know next to nothing about guns
I'm not saying this would be a complete solution to all gun-related problems in America, of course, but something along these lines would seem like a good first step.
Gouri's point that the spirit of the second amendment is to ensure that the people have access to the same arms as the government is a good one, but it's been true for a long time that the government has access to far more powerful weapons than the people (tanks, planes, ...), so I don't think taking assault weapons and such out of the people's hands changes the people vs government dynamic in a meaningful way.
Unless the government starts allowing people to keep AEGIS class destroyers, patriot missiles or a tank company in their back yards, the government would have its way with the people if it came down to it. And no AR-15 clone will save you from a Hellfire missile that you'll never see coming.
Coming in late, but can you lay out the UK/Japan style gun-ban? I could go research it, but a bit tied up...I know it's much stricter.
I'm not a gun guy at all....never grew up with them in the house, never had a desire to own one, have always disliked going to the shooting range (I've never felt comfortable with people I don't know being able to end my life so easily because I'm in close proximity to them while they hold a gun). At the same time, based on my line of work, nearly 95% of my customers are hard core hunters and gun enthusiasts. And I respect that....but these are weekend hunters who are by the book and have a huge respect of the fire-arm and seem to leave a legacy of respect for the weapon as they pass it on to their kids. I mean more power to them..it's not for me, and I've turned down at least 20 hunting trips in the last 2 years.
Anyways, I'm all for a significantly harder background check on all guns, and I'd be OK with a complete ban on assault weapons. I think a huge hurdle would be how you handle the abolition of semi-auto's.....and certainly, you can't really go out collecting or taking people's weapons.
Again, I'm late to the convo and this is half baked, but I think to at least get some movemnt on the issue:
1. I'd make background checks significantly harder, and likely extend the wait period of purchasing a weapon several months. I do think there should be some type of medical background that takes medications prescribed, mental hospital visits, etc into account. I don't know the exact figure, but it seems nearly every mass shooter in recent history had a history with anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication
2. I'd grandfather in current legal ownership of semi-Autos that are currently legally owned, but ban there purchasing going forward. A major part of making progress is assuring current legal gun owners the government isn't coming for their weapons.
3. I don't know what the current law is on the books for kids who use someone else's gun for a shooting, but that needs to become a huge penalty as well....did anything happen to Adam Landa's mom when he used her weapons at Sandy Hook?
Bottom line.....I'm tired of these mass shootings. It's absurd..I know by raw numbers in the US, there are more guns in the marketplace, yet personal gun ownership is down considerably. It's odd you'd have 32% homes with gun ownership (vs 50% in the mid 70's) and yet the crime is having an inverse relationship.
Something needs to change. I sound like a grandfather, but culture needs to change too. This stuff just wasn't prevalent (outside of Columbine) in my age. It's worries the hell out of me with a child getting ready to enter the public school system.....
castor777
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This and a limit on magazine size are my stance. Anything over 6 rounds seems unnecessary to me, but I realize that will seem unreasonable to most.
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Yes!!! Stuff yourself and others can’t see on the board...Wait.. what happened? Did I miss something?
So many people just use the damn thing as if they’re 9 years old and someone stole their Capri-Sun straw...
It’s Friday — red solo cup day !!! Between this, cavstalk, and that Mel Kiper/Ty Cobb AZ guy—it’s too much !!
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Slippin'.
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Well played !!!
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PIP, it is unfortunate that the same cast of characters can't pay well together. As they have shat all over this playing field, as they have the others, I think I am going to take my ball elsewhere.
People can message me if they too are annoyed at the current state of affairs and would like something positive done. If people continue to disrespect this site, and each other, perhaps it is time for some creative solutions.
Frankly, it doesn't take a genius to figure out the folks behind this. To them, I say, reconsider your behaviors. People have been watching and keeping note. Desist now. This is my final warning to you folks.