For Americans tired of NRA bullying.

[RetiredArmy]

The point of my reply was to refute your linking ardent support of firearms with irrationality.  I have provided your quote for review.  By definition, an ardent supporter (one who supports with enthusiasm and passion) would not risk what they cherish with such stupid behavior as being one of those "drunks with guns." 

Well, doesn't that really depend on the supporter? If one is under the impression that gun ownership is some immutable reality of their country's code of ethics that can never be changed- as many particularly ardent gun supporters do- then they could act with impunity, without anything to risk.

Well, I don't agree.  I understand there will be exceptions, but the vast majority of supporters (not just the ardent ones) do not "act with impunity," nor would they if tomorrow you said "ok, you can keep you guns."  They wouldn't go ape-shit crazy, running around shooting things if you were to acknowledge the right to bear arms.  What you've said seems to show your bias in the matter.  It appears you believe that the only reason us "weirdo gun nuts" don't go out shooting everything is because we think you're watching.  That's just wrong.  Do you think it's because some are afraid of going to prison? Maybe in some cases, but that's wrong as well.  I equate this to the same thing we atheists often say to the religious... Do you believe in god out of fear of death or wrath?  Do you follow the law because of prison?  No, we follow because it's what is right, because we do the right thing when nobody is watching.

Now, I'm not saying that all people with interest in guns are liable to act that way,

So then why propose the idea above?

but then, that's sort of the thing with a deadly weapon: it really only takes a moment of inattention or irrational thinking to do something very hard to take back.

This idea very much applies to very nearly all forms of tragedy and massacre, including automobiles, airplanes, helicopters, lawnmowers, knifes, etc.  We can say take away all cars, but we need them.  We can say take away all guns, but we need them (go ahead, dispute that, I'm ready).

It's not so much "X group of people act irrationally," as it is "X group of people are human beings liable to the same emotional and personality issues as everyone else, while also in contact with deadly weapons." That's a concern, the question is, how do we address it? #notallgunowners might be a perfectly valid statement, but somehow it's still not encompassing the issue, is it?

I understand, and disagree.  Because Ralph down the street does X wrong doesn't mean I or any other person is going to do X wrong as well.  Emotional and personality issues can just as easily cause a person to kill groups of people with a car.  It truly IS a concern! We address the concern with mental healthcare, community awareness, realistic drug prevention and treatment (that's an entirely different thread, right?)  The issue is people, true, and attempting to take away guns does not address the issue, it creates another.  The problem would be inadequate defense against those not willing to follow the law.  Police are inadequate for that problem.

Of course there are effective regulations regarding firearms.  Just like any section of governance, there are good parts, and there are really damn stupid parts.  I am referring to the stupid parts.  The parts which are an attempt to illogically go after the lawful gun owner while masquerading as meaningful legislation.  I agree with the first part, guns are not the problem.  People certainly -are- the problem, on both sides.  The ardent supporter is the good guy, let's not confuse.

What do you mean "go after" the lawful gun owner? What does that legislation look like, to you? And what would you consider good regulation for firearms that might improve the situation as it stands, too?

When a politician stands at the podium and professes the intent to take all guns, and some cheer, that's going after the lawful gun owner.  To me, that legislation would look like the government saying we have to turn in all firearms.  When that doesn't work for obvious reasons, they would have to come door to door.  That just isn't really feasible either.  Taking all the guns is not reasonable or practical or viable.  It's a reaction to fear, just as the meaningless legislation (that failed) after Orlando.