New gun laws

[Hazzard]

Originally Posted by Tannhauser

I understand that gun laws are a big deal in the US, so I hope not to step on anyone's toes here.

It's one of those issues that many people outside the US find it incredibly difficult to understand. Other developed countries look at your situation with a resounding 'WTF'?

I certainly don't speak for everyone beyond your shores, but I'm one of hundreds of millions of people who just don't get the whole gun thing at all:

- we don't understand why you see owning a gun as being an essential part of freedom. There are many, many countries where democracy is just as highly prized as in the US, but where gun ownership is severely restricted. Their citizens do not feel that their civil liberties are taken away.

- we don't understand why you look for every possible solution to these slayings (e.g. treating the mentally ill differently, as if that is really going to make any difference) except the obvious one. It just looks to outsiders like denial - anything to keep the guns.

- above all, we don't understand why some Americans think that the solution to having school killing sprees is to have guns readily available in the school, or armed police/guards. People in my own school, both staff and students, just thought that idea was crazy. I mean, literally crazy. (you can see the reaction here (NSFW) and herein the politically neutral satire paper 'The Daily Mash' (some might find it offensive).

I guess it's something that you need to be born over there to understand. It's really hard for an outsider to see why it's a left vs right thing, an 'agenda', or a political issue at all.

Completely agree.

[bruteforce]

Because Mexico's fairly strict gun laws have prevented so much violence...

[gaspers04]

Originally Posted by Tannhauser

I understand that gun laws are a big deal in the US, so I hope not to step on anyone's toes here.

It's one of those issues that many people outside the US find it incredibly difficult to understand. Other developed countries look at your situation with a resounding 'WTF'?

I certainly don't speak for everyone beyond your shores, but I'm one of hundreds of millions of people who just don't get the whole gun thing at all:

- we don't understand why you see owning a gun as being an essential part of freedom. There are many, many countries where democracy is just as highly prized as in the US, but where gun ownership is severely restricted. Their citizens do not feel that their civil liberties are taken away.

- we don't understand why you look for every possible solution to these slayings (e.g. treating the mentally ill differently, as if that is really going to make any difference) except the obvious one. It just looks to outsiders like denial - anything to keep the guns.

- above all, we don't understand why some Americans think that the solution to having school killing sprees is to have guns readily available in the school, or armed police/guards. People in my own school, both staff and students, just thought that idea was crazy. I mean, literally crazy. (you can see the reaction here (NSFW) and herein the politically neutral satire paper 'The Daily Mash' (some might find it offensive).

I guess it's something that you need to be born over there to understand. It's really hard for an outsider to see why it's a left vs right thing, an 'agenda', or a political issue at all.

Its MY right and MY freedom set forth in MY constitution. No other explanation needed.

This being said with respect for others views.

[nighttrain]

And It Starts..........

This morning, Barack Obama held a press conference confirming our greatest fears...

He's launching an all out campaign to pass comprehensive gun control:

1. A so-called "Assault Weapons" Ban,

2. A "High-Capacity" Magazine Ban, and

3. A ban on ALL PRIVATE FIREARMS SALES WITHOUT GOVERNMENT PERMISSION.

And he wants the legislation on his desk as early as January.

[Goat]

Originally Posted by nighttrain

And It Starts..........
3. A ban on ALL PRIVATE FIREARMS SALES WITHOUT GOVERNMENT PERMISSION.

This is exactly why we have a Constitutional right to firearms.

[gaspers04]

Yep, the beginning to an end.

[TitanCT]

we banned drugs too...even started a war against themand thats working well.

We dont need to ban guns, need to ban psychos and morons.

[Off Road]

Because in our country there is already wide-spread gun ownership. If we had to give up our guns, only the good people would be without them and left with no way to protect themselves against the predators that will retain them.

[Off Road]

There are also a lot of four legged predators when we are out hunting, fishing, hiking and camping.

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by Off Road

There are also a lot of four legged predators when we are out hunting, fishing, hiking and camping.

Yes sir. I lived up in the panhandle of Idaho. I had wolves at my back door, and camping trips required some weapon for defense.

In addition, a majority of men who own guns are also hunters. This is a huge country. I don't think many Europeans understand just how big and vast and full of wild life America is. Hunting is part of our culture. It feeds families.

I would say that 75% of the men I know that own guns do so because they hunt every year.

Originally Posted by Tann

above all, we don't understand why some Americans think that the solution to having school killing sprees is to have guns readily available in the school, or armed police/guards. People in my own school, both staff and students, just thought that idea was crazy.

Most Americans don't feel armed guards at schools is the solution, nor anything most of us want. Not sure who paints this picture, but it's not accurate. On the other hand, letting anyone in the school without screening or taking away our guns is not the solution either.

The schools need someone to monitor who comes in and goes out. It ain't happening locally, I can tell you that. If I had to volunteer to screen people who wanted access, I would. That isn't crazy; it's called protecting my children.