THE Gun Thread

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

I have another proposal to reduce gun violence - pay the gun industry NOT to make guns. Attend:

-In 2021, gun manufacturers posted $70 billion in profits.

-Gun violence costs the US $557 billion/year.

-Guarantee the gun manufacturers $70 billion in subsidy payments next year and increase the payment by $1 billion every year (makers of ammo and gun accessories could continue to make and sell their products).

-The subsidy would continue until payments equal the current cost of gun violence (487 years).

-This would save the US $487 billion/year, so the programme would self-fund (no net cost to taxpayers). It would also save the cost of background checks, but that's pretty minor.

-The money saved could be invested in gun safety courses, mental health services, and an increased security presence at schools, churches, mosques, and shopping malls.

-Gun makers would not be allowed to fire employees - since they are guaranteed a profit, employees could still be paid at no loss to the company. The lads could sit round and play pinochle or something.

I think this could be a winner.

Boru

You're basing your point on profits, which by definition are what's left over after you've paid out your expenses, including payroll, utilities, and so on You might need to recalibrate your numbers given that. They're still going to have to cover lease or mortgage expenses, mployee benefits programs, and so on, all of which expenses are going to chew that $70b up mos' rickey-tick.

I'd add that financially helping these gun mfrs pivot to non-lethal fine-machine production would also be a wise investment. Granted, that would include large outlays for stuff like retooling etc, but you'd keep a productive workforce actually producing goods of high economic value.

But since they wouldn’t actually be making guns, their expenses are going to be lower. For instance, they wouldn’t need to purchase the materials to make the guns, or maintain their equipment, or pay sales commissions, or advertise, - hell’s bells, they wouldn’t even have to keep the lights on. They’ve made $70 billion profit in paying for all these things, under the Borudian No Making Guns Scheme - their actual profit margin would go up.

Boru