The Gamespot Gun Control Debate

[QUOTE="bloodling"]

I am not saying that they are the culprit in such crimes, and I never said that it was the most important thing in the world to get rid of them. I just though it was the right thing to do. I'm not an anti-gun fanatic, but this just seems to be the right direction to take, at least in a few states.

fernandmondego_

That's your opinion, I can certainly respect that, and people who might need it always have the option to get it illegally as well if they really feel that they need it. Pistols are of course very deadly, but banning them just isn't an option. Restricting weapons for people with mental problem works somewhat, and for those who don't get caught in the net, making those devastating weapons harder to find might end up saving more innocent lives than it cost in the end.

You seem to be focusing quite heavily on automatic weapons. Keep in mind that even an semi auto weapon can fire 30 rounds in about 5 seconds. I suggest that yuo do a little research.thegerg

I did focus on automatic weapons, and you are right, the focus should have been on weapons that can kill a lot of people quickly, which is basically what I meant when talking about "automatic weapons" or "assault rifles".

Edit: and of course, focusing about who are allowed to carry weapons.

[QUOTE="thegerg"][QUOTE="bloodling"]

I was trying to focus on two points, which is that weapons that are deemed too powerful should be banned, and people who have severe mental problems shouldn't be allowed to own guns (though I haven't talked much about that part). We can't go into a killer's mind and change his intentions. There's no miracle solution, but there are things that can be done. Maybe you don't think that those measures will be very effective, and that's debatable.

bloodling

Indeed. Of course, I'm not trying to say that only automatic weapons should be looked at, but what I personally dislike isn't a weapon that can shoot exceptionally well, but rather a weapon that can shoot down a big amount of people very quickly. That was one of my first posts in this thread.

What do you see as a better approach to stopping gun crime. Outlawing guns, or improving our mental health system.? Which one by itself could you see potentially lowering gun crime more?

[QUOTE="fernandmondego_"][QUOTE="bloodling"]

I am not saying that they are the culprit in such crimes, and I never said that it was the most important thing in the world to get rid of them. I just though it was the right thing to do. I'm not an anti-gun fanatic, but this just seems to be the right direction to take, at least in a few states.

bloodling

That's your opinion, I can certainly respect that, and people who might need it always have the option to get it illegally as well if they really feel that they need it. Pistols are of course very deadly, but banning them just isn't an option. Restricting weapons for people with mental problem works somewhat, and for those who don't get caught in the net, making those devastating weapons harder to find might end up saving more innocent lives than it cost in the end.

[QUOTE="bloodling"]

Indeed. Of course, I'm not trying to say that only automatic weapons should be looked at, but what I personally dislike isn't a weapon that can shoot exceptionally well, but rather a weapon that can shoot down a big amount of people very quickly. That was one of my first posts in this thread.

DJ419

What do you see as a better approach to stopping gun crime. Outlawing guns, or improving our mental health system.? Which one by itself could you see potentially lowering gun crime more?

Improving our mental health system, of course. The whole process that decides if someone should have the right to own a gun should of course not only evaluate people, but treat people who have problems. A gun just seems like another option that seems easy to do without being too costly.

But if they get them illegally than they could go to jail for having them even if it's for a legit purpose. As for people with mental problems, sure, it would be nice to keep guns from them but the guy here in CT stole the guns from his mom who he also murdered.

fernandmondego_

That would be the case if owning such a gun is criminalized. It could just be a fine, and the destruction of the weapon. Things like this will always happen, but we should change things so they don't happen as often, and when they do, not as many people are killed.

I'm not going to stay here all night long, so if you have other things to add, I will read them tomorrow.

[QUOTE="PinkiePirate"]

We have to go through so much trouble to help ourselves and our own well-being, while obtaining a gun to harm others is simple.

It should be the other way around. The government should enforce a regulation that forces all guns manufactured the US to have electronic safeties. Illegally owning a gun should be the same as driving a stolen car. The gun would be remotely deactivated by gov't officials.

LJS9502_basic

[QUOTE="fernandmondego_"]

But if they get them illegally than they could go to jail for having them even if it's for a legit purpose. As for people with mental problems, sure, it would be nice to keep guns from them but the guy here in CT stole the guns from his mom who he also murdered.

bloodling

That would be the case if owning such a gun is criminalized. It could just be a fine, and the destruction of the weapon, of course. Things like this will always happen, but we should change thing so they don't happen as often, and when they do, not as many people are killed.

I think we need to stop saying we need more gun laws, or even reformed mental health care (which we may need). I think what the U.S. is really in need of is more protection at critical places like schools and malls. I'm not talking about one of those rent-a-cops, but a real police officer/security guard. What I find so ironic is the government will use heavy security for protecting inanimate objects such money/gold/silver in banks, but when it comes to lives there isn't near that amount of protection.

I'm not saying it's the governments fault, but it's become obvious you can't regulate 300 million guns so there's no point in trying to ban guns (because as we've seen recently in Illinois, it will get stricken down by the courts). Plus, even more guns will come over the borders illegally from Mexico and other foreign countries, and just like drugs, the U.S. can't stop them. The only way to stop this is more security.

I think quality of education is more important than gun control. If every child could have access to a nice school with a nice building and nice, beautiful teachers the world would be a better place.

I have to admit that even though I think that those weapons that kill tens of people very quickly should be banned, it would most likely not solve much. I just thought it was the right thing to do.

Body searches and security guards were the first things that came to mind as well, and I did mention it earlier in this thread, but since the topic of this thread is about gun control, my focus was on gun control. Since gun control is the least important aspect that should be changed, I guess I'm done talking about it because it's a bit pointless.

i believe guns should only be allowed in the hands of law enforcement

i believe guns should only be allowed in the hands of law enforcement

CKYguy25

When seconds count, the police are minutes away.

I think we need to stop saying we need more gun laws, or even reformed mental health care (which we may need). I think what the U.S. is really in need of is more protection at critical places like schools and malls. I'm not talking about one of those rent-a-cops, but a real police officer/security guard. What I find so ironic is the government will use heavy security for protecting inanimate objects such money/gold/silver in banks, but when it comes to lives there isn't near that amount of protection.

I'm not saying it's the governments fault, but it's become obvious you can't regulate 300 million guns so there's no point in trying to ban guns (because as we've seen recently in Illinois, it will get stricken down by the courts). Plus, even more guns will come over the borders illegally from Mexico and other foreign countries, and just like drugs, the U.S. can't stop them. The only way to stop this is more security.

cslayer211

We shouldn't *need* any more protection anywhere. We don't live in Somolia. Nobody should feel unsafe going anywhere within the borders of the USA.

We shouldn't *need* any more protection anywhere. We don't live in Somolia. Nobody should feel unsafe going anywhere within the borders of the USA.

Wasdie

[QUOTE="CKYguy25"]

i believe guns should only be allowed in the hands of law enforcement

Ingenemployee

When seconds count, the police are minutes away.

they can do much better than the random people out there

[QUOTE="Ingenemployee"]

[QUOTE="CKYguy25"]

i believe guns should only be allowed in the hands of law enforcement

CKYguy25

When seconds count, the police are minutes away.

they can do much better than the random people out there

was posted in the other thread.

I can tell you this much- If I were considering the idea, I'd be much less likely to open fire in a public place in a state like Texas than in NY, for example. You do that in TX and 10 people will draw their concealed carry guns and take you down. Do it in NY and it will take the cops 20 minutes to get there. By then everybody's shot.

[QUOTE="Ingenemployee"]

[QUOTE="CKYguy25"]

i believe guns should only be allowed in the hands of law enforcement

CKYguy25

When seconds count, the police are minutes away.

they can do much better than the random people out there

According to who? Based on what? People who don't carry guns? I've been told by police officers themselves that they work with some officers that only go to a shooting range once a year and even less. The empire state building shooting that occured a couple months ago shows how inept police can be when it comes to handling firearms.

it is beside the point that I am a better shot than anyone it the local Sheriffs department. None of them were Air Force Marksman.

What matters here is when you are talking about taking away the right to bear arms you are also talking about violating a constututionally guaranteed right.

Nobody ever dares consider talking about taking away the right to freedom of speech or freedom of assembly or freedom to worship freely but once you allow them to take away one of the constututional rights there is no guarantee they (meaning the govenment) won't start removing the rest of them when they feel it is expedient.

This is what happened in Iran who once had the same freedoms that we do. Now you don't find women in the Majlis - their senate - because the supreme leader has to approve it before they even can run - and don't say it can't happen here because things are deteriorating in this country to the point that the leadership is even considering the need for one of our freedoms.

why should we have to start picking and choosing which of our freedoms we are "allowed" to keep?

that is like something from a Science Fiction story.

[QUOTE="CKYguy25"]

[QUOTE="Ingenemployee"]

When seconds count, the police are minutes away.

Ingenemployee

they can do much better than the random people out there

was posted in the other thread.

Someone has watched 'Kindergarden Cop' one too many times...Ilikemyname420

We won't hold that against you.

was posted in the other thread.

Ingenemployee

That's nice, although the statistic is completely meaningless, since only a tiny percentage of mass shootings are ever stopped by civilians.

Anyway, now make this poster and fill in the blanks:

Average number (per year) of mass killings caused by armed civilians:

Average number (per year) of mass killings caused by unarmed civilians:

[QUOTE="Jankarcop"]

States with more gun control laws = less shootings.

States with less gun control laws = more.

Most shooting guns are bought legally.

DanteSuikoden

Guns kill people in the same way forks make people fat.

I want to get rid of all firearms and moderns weapons. Then society can return to being ruled by a military caste.

[QUOTE="Ingenemployee"]

was posted in the other thread.

Planeforger

That's nice, although the statistic is completely meaningless, since only a tiny percentage of mass shootings are ever stopped by civilians.

Anyway, now make this poster and fill in the blanks:

Average number (per year) of mass killings caused by armed civilians:

Average number (per year) of mass killings caused by unarmed civilians:

Depends how many is in "mass." The statisic is completely meaningless anyway, since only a tiny percentage of homicides are mass shootings.

People who are all hysterical about gun control because of this shooting are dumb f*cks who let the news tell them what to be worried about. Mass killings are a drop in the bucket. Why was this not a big deal two weeks ago? You'd think all the geniuses who post here would come up with policy that would deal with how the vast majority of crimes actually occur, not freak events.

That's nice, although the statistic is completely meaningless, since only a tiny percentage of mass shootings are ever stopped by civilians.

Anyway, now make this poster and fill in the blanks: Average number (per year) of mass killings caused by armed civilians Average number (per year) of mass killings caused by unarmed civilians:Planeforger

Way too many crazy people our there are using guns

I want to get rid of all firearms and moderns weapons. Then society can return to being ruled by a military caste.

Palantas

[QUOTE="thegerg"][QUOTE="curono"]You americans love your guns. You are a gun loving society. Just like japanese are a sword loving culture. The problem is that in SOME places gun control is close to none. there should be something similar to car: First You need a gun license. The equivalent of the government allowing you to have firearms. Then you need to register each gun you have.MrPraline

If I may quote Plato:

"Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws"

If I may quote Plato:

"Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws"

ScorpionTroll

Thank you. This is the end of the discussion.

Did you know that deer are responsible for more deaths per year in the US than mass shootings?

http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2012/10/24/267786.htm Deer responsible for 200 deaths

http://www.thenation.com/blog/171774/fifteen-us-mass-shootings-happened-2012-84-dead# Mass shootings resulting in 88 deaths

Deer are bad. Ban Deer.

I don't believe that average citizens in any country are intelligent or responsible enough to have the right to bare arms. Just think, the people you see on youtube doing silly things and getting hurt playing with guns aren't outliers; they are just unlucky enough to have been caught on camera.

I don't believe that average citizens in any country are intelligent or responsible enough to have the right to bare arms. Just think, the people you see on youtube doing silly things and getting hurt playing with guns aren't outliers; they are just unlucky enough to have been caught on camera.

Leejjohno

I don't believe that average citizens in any country are intelligent or responsible enough to have the right to bare arms. Just think, the people you see on youtube doing silly things and getting hurt playing with guns aren't outliers; they are just unlucky enough to have been caught on camera.

Leejjohno

Did you know that deer are responsible for more deaths per year in the US than mass shootings?

http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2012/10/24/267786.htm Deer responsible for 200 deaths

http://www.thenation.com/blog/171774/fifteen-us-mass-shootings-happened-2012-84-dead# Mass shootings resulting in 88 deaths

Deer are bad. Ban Deer.

hartsickdiscipl

One is accidental, the other is simply allowed to occur so that the great unwashed can have their freedom.

[QUOTE="ScorpionTroll"]

If I may quote Plato:

"Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws"

hartsickdiscipl

Thank you. This is the end of the discussion.

[QUOTE="Leejjohno"]

I don't believe that average citizens in any country are intelligent or responsible enough to have the right to bare arms. Just think, the people you see on youtube doing silly things and getting hurt playing with guns aren't outliers; they are just unlucky enough to have been caught on camera.

sonicare

Drive or join armed forces for a start.

Responsibility should be proven, not assumed.

[QUOTE="sonicare"][QUOTE="Leejjohno"]

I don't believe that average citizens in any country are intelligent or responsible enough to have the right to bare arms. Just think, the people you see on youtube doing silly things and getting hurt playing with guns aren't outliers; they are just unlucky enough to have been caught on camera.

Leejjohno

Drive or join armed forces for a start.

Responsibility should be proven, not assumed.