The God Damned Gun Control Thread

[(SWGO)SirPepsi]

While mental health is certainly a key factor in determining our overall well-being and ability to function, this particular case does not resemble the arguments being made.

Lanza was diagnosed with Asbergers Syndrome (sort of a lesser form of autism), and also something we know very little about. However, violent outbreaks is not something characteristic of someone suffering from Asbergers.

Since Asperger's is something you know very little about, perhaps you should refrain from bringing it up? It is not a mental illness, and has no association with violence. Mentioning it at all simply confuses the issue.

Anyone willing to commit mass murder is mentally ill by definition.

I think you misunderstand. Perhaps it was poorly worded. You said that there is no association with Aspergers and violence. I agreed with that assertion and mentioned it. My point: Lanza was diagnosed with Aspergers, whether his case was another recognized debilitating illness altogether or he was simply misdiagnosed I do not know. We cannot blame or attempt to explain his actions through that particular diagnosis because Aspergers Syndrome does not typically induce feelings of violence.

[CommanderOtto]

as m'kay said, the isolation he was in. Isolated playing a violent game.

[WD-40]

Interesting article

Chicago and New York City have some of the strictest guns laws in the nation and both are led by liberals who want more gun control laws imposed on their people. Both have also been involved in mass shootings in the past twenty-four hours.

Read more: http://freedomoutpost.com/2012/08/top-two-cities-with-strict-gun-control-laws-experience-mass-shootings/#ixzz2HOnsEUTZ

[[m'kay]]

as m'kay said, the isolation he was in. Isolated playing a violent game.

if only he never played that game, perhaps he never would have realized what guns are

[NiteRunner81]

dude, on Saturday my uncle was asking what type of video game I was playing (SWTOR) and then asked me if I was gonna go crazy and go into schools and kill kids?

Sure, I'm gonna go into the place where younglings learn and kill them with light-sabers... SURE.... (we need the dripping font)... I'll be sure to channel Anakin Skywalker if I go nuts.. gotta use light sabers...

[MATTHEW'S_DAD]

Kren, you made a great post and as usual it was probably the most well thought out post in the thread. I meant to counterpoint it but I sidetracked with other things and just did remember it.

From Thomas Jefferson all those years ago:

"A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

But the use of muskets and such like in the Revolutionary War is quite different from what is available now such as:

http://www.dallasguns.com/guns_online/?cat=8

That was the first site I came across.

So would it be prudent to regulate the type of weapons sold as a starting point. Are military type weapons needed to protect you? How many weapons does it take to feel safe?

No. This has been tried in the past and failed. Take an AR15 and remove the pistol grip and give it a wooden stock and most people upset about assault rifles wouldn't give it a second look. The AR15 is a very solid rifle in which the majority of share many parts and for A LOT of young men in our country, it's the only firearm they have ever shot. That was the case with me until I was 21. So the familiarity, the reliability and the parts availability make them very attractive to prospective buyers.

As far as banning large clips, I say don't do it. Most of these clowns (the mass shooters) buy cheap magazines and stuff them full of ammo and their weapons jam up. Without digging back, I know there were at least 3 instances of this over the last few years. They end up doing most of their damage with the handguns they bring or shotguns such as the Batman guy. (I think Va Tech shooter jammed and the Oregon mall shooter jammed...in fact CCW guy stopped the mall shooter) These are weapons that are supposedly not even up for debate. So I'm not sure what we think we're going to gain with an assault rifle ban.

Some of you have talked about invasion but that is not going to happen and if it did the allies of the US would be there to stand with you. Do you really think that if the US becomes weak due to a massive natural disaster (Yellowstone eruption as an example) the allies would stand by without helping out?

Meh. I personally feel we're under a passive invasion at the moment, but that's me. But yeah, the Russian's aren't coming and the Chinese can't even build a toy car without it falling apart, so I don't see them getting an aircraft carrier here anytime soon.

We in the UK had the right to bear arms from the English Bill of Rights 1689 that stated "Subjects which are Protestants may have Arms for their Defense". In 1903 there was greater control brought in for firearms some 200 years or so after the above had been passed. A change in the law was made and that as they say is history. I am not saying there is no gun violence over here but the amount of firearms in circulation per person is regulated and we don't have weapons generally. Do I feel safe? Yes I do but perhaps if things were not regulated and guns were available for everyday use my thoughts might be different.

You guys don't have the violence in general like we have. You guys don't have the diversity that we have either. People say, "why is America so violent? What can't they be more like Japan or the UK?" lol, whether we like it or not, our diversity is the difference. For some reason, our melting pot gets a little crazy sometimes, but whatever. We all all hookup and make babies and get over it given enough time.

So going back to 'the right to bear arms' to defend yourselves is part of the US constitution but it is from an age gone by.

That same constitution gives us the ability to change it. If the anti gun people want to change it, then do it. Let's take off the veil of neutrality and do it.

Most people who I know think of bearing arms is associated with the military which going back to Thomas Jefferson's statement is perhaps what was meant: militia or irregular army that consisted of civilians to bear arms.

I'll go out on a limb and say most people you know are other Brits?

Fear, protection and financial elements seem to be the crux of the issues in hand in America today relating firearms and gun control. It appears that you as citizens want to protect yourselves and subsequently fear that without weapons you cannot attain this. With the 2nd amendment it gives you the freedom to exercise the right to bear arms. If gun control is introduced how many people would be out of pocket for the firearms they have purchased if they were forced/requested to hand these in and what would this do for the gun industry nationally?

On one hand, I read that and think it'll never go that way, and then on the other hand, I believe that "yeah it can".

From the outside looking in the US is at peace and not at war (except war on terror), there is no impending invasion so regulating and or reducing the arms available per person/family could be a first step in gun control. Taking the first steps and making this happen is what will be difficult. There is no easy/quick solution and if the US went down this route I have no doubt it would be painful.

Like I stated above, if our politicians want to do this, the means are available to do it. They won't though because they'll never get reelected and god forbid the [derriere orifice] have to get real jobs.

Based upon the US history however the strongest weapon is the will of the people to change things for the better.

We carried that will over here from you guys my friend.

[Bailey]

Nothing?!? Seriously?? Ever heard of Guerrilla Warfare? No invading Nation(s) would fare well against the U.S.A. They could come over the North Pole thru Canada if they needed. They, too, would suffer in return, and with what weaponry Militias have, they could still pack a punch in return. (and NO knucklehead Militias are NOT dead..far from it...I know from my work in Government that they are alive and well). And you'd be shocked out of your Liberal shell to see just how much Military grade weaponry 'Civilians' already have! Americans by nature, love to fight. But you wouldn't know that, since you've no military experience. An armed people keeps the Government in-check too. Be a shame if Obama got too much power by peeling and chipping away at our Constitutional Rights until they are all but gone and we're all un-armed. I swore to protect the Constitution, and I believe in the 2nd Amendment along with the entire Constitution. Even in my work, I believe totally in that right.

This made me laugh pretty hard.

[CommanderOtto]

off topic but.... someone should create an "immigration reform" thread when this one dies (well, it is almost dead anyway)

[WD-40]

You guys don't have the violence in general like we have. You guys don't have the diversity that we have either. People say, "why is America so violent? What can't they be more like Japan or the UK?" lol, whether we like it or not, our diversity is the difference. For some reason, our melting pot gets a little crazy sometimes, but whatever.

It's cause the Brits have crappy, bland food. Even the wackos go where the food is tastier.

[mrjamwin]

Just for the record. I have very good gun control. I have no problems hitting my target.