Murder in Michigan

[Minimalist]

I think guns should be kept away from the mentally ill, people who have severe anger management issues and people who are suicidal.

How do you do that when the NRA resists background checks and licensing?

[The Grand Nudger]

The NRA are definitely zealots in that regard. They've assumed the position and rhetoric of extremists. It's a very sticky issue for me, and I assume, most sane people.

[Minimalist]

Sane people are not in charge of the debate.

[Shell B]

How do you do that when the NRA resists background checks and licensing?

Therein lies the problem, of course. My support of sane people bearing arms does not extend to support of the NRA.

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Sane people are not in charge of the debate.

They could be, in the future. Looking back on this history of the U.S., there was a time when Republican beliefs were similar to current Democrat beliefs. Now that the Republicans are going nutty, it is only a matter of time before the coming generations pull the plug on their backwards thinking. Unlike most adults, I have a lot of faith in the kids who are teenagers now to change things. My generation will be the big politicians soon and after that, you have the ipod generation. Those kids won't stand for the sort of shit Republicans suggest. At least, that is my hope.

[Minimalist]

So we will continue to see mass shootings and listen to NRA whackos claim that "guns don't kill people" for the foreseeable future I guess?

[Shell B]

So we will continue to see mass shootings and listen to NRA whackos claim that "guns don't kill people" for the foreseeable future I guess?

Well, unless protesting has all of sudden become a successful means of stopping wackos from spreading bs, then yes. The problem with it really is that zealots are willing to spend their whole lives making a point and spoon feeding it to the masses. For me, there are too many areas where I want to see change, so I wouldn't even know where to start. I am overwhelmed by the bullshit. Furthermore, I don't want to spend my whole life dedicated to one issue, unless it has something to do with genocide or starvation. I am more interested in humanity as a whole than gun legislation. I think most people have similar issues with fighting the zealots. However, I will vote for acceptable changes, if people can get them in there.

Oh, and to stop the NRA from saying what they want to say goes against the ideals in which I believe. What has to be done is changing people's minds about what the NRA is spewing. Education is the best defense against stupidity, Min.

[Minimalist]

The republicans are gutting education across the country, too. Apparently, they see your point.

[Paul the Human]

Just because the Republicans use an argument doesn't automatically make it wrong. Guns exist and nothing can change that now. I personally do not own a gun and do not wish to, but if I was not allowed to... criminals would still have them. Gun crime would still happen.

Guns kill people, yes. Criminals with guns... kill people. Take away the people's right to own them... and criminals with guns will -still- kill people. It is far too late for gun control.

[Shell B]

Just because the Republicans use an argument doesn't automatically make it wrong.

I agree, but to have minimal limitations in place is folly. I don't sit on the fence on the issue, but I do sit somewhere in between.

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The republicans are gutting education across the country, too. Apparently, they see your point.

It sounds so cliche, but free education has been the best idea any society has ever had throughout history. Yes, they are gutting education, or trying to. It seems that every cut our politicians make is in the wrong place.

[Paul the Human]

Just because the Republicans use an argument doesn't automatically make it wrong.

I agree, but to have minimal limitations in place is folly. I don't sit on the fence on the issue, but I do sit somewhere in between.

I sit on no fence. I do not believe that gun control (or regulations) would have any positive effect on the amount of gun related crime whatsoever. If anything... it would cause more, as everyone in possession of a gun would then be a criminal. The 'Right' to own guns in the U.S. is so ingrained into society... and guns so numerous... that it is far too late to do anything about it. In my opinion.