JBMcDragon ([info]jbmcdragon) wrote,
@ 2008-07-20 02:14:00
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So, the Supreme Court said people could carry handguns, and then some guy went in DC and tried to register his and they said no, because it's bottom-loading and therefore a semi-automatic weapon, even thought the Court ruling said it was all cool if it had less than 20 bullets or something, and this had 11. Or something. I dunno, I'm fuzzy on the details. Allow me to take this moment to say: I DON'T REALLY CARE. I'm rather anti-gun, anyway. You can read the details here.

What actually interested me about this article was not the details--again with the I don't care--but the comments. Go ahead. Read them.

They're TERRIFYING. It's not, "Hey, this sucks! We need to protest so they uphold the law and let us register our guns!" (which, even though I'm anti-gun, I would agree with), it's "Hey! this sucks! Let's go SHOOT THEM and declare MARTIAL LAW!"

...

I have "Top Ten Personal Safety Tips" by The Onion printed out and pinned up on my wall above my bed. It includes things like, "Live in the same city as The Batman" and "Wear pants that say DO NOT RAPE on the ass and crotch." The last one says (paraphrased), "The NRA says that the safest thing to do is to carry a loaded weapon with you at all times. So, to ensure your personal safety, stay the hell away from NRA members." It's SAD when people are making me agree with The Onion. :P

Briefly: Why I am anti-gun (since, once upon a time, I was pro-gun): Because of very persuasive arguments made by [info]nute, and various studies done. Among them, a study done on which is more effective as a deterrent: a gun or a dog, a study done on the overall death rates in those cities where they say "everyone has guns and statistics show crime goes down!", studies done on the mentality and long-term crime and death rates in highly weaponized areas, and a study done on how people are more likley to subconsciously put themselves in danger and make themselves a target when they're carrying a weapon. (Once aware of this, I realized I even do it with my dogs, and now try to be conscious of what I'm doing. I still sometimes do it, but A) who the hell is going to attack me with an obvious pit bull on one side, and a 90-pound German shepherd-looking dog on the other? and B) I'm at least aware of it, and keep an eye on my surroundings. Not as good as not doing it at all, but...)

I could go into detail. Unless someone actually asks, I'm not going to. :D

J

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[info]sousha
2008-07-20 10:02 am UTC (link)
The NRA says that the safest thing to do is to carry a loaded weapon with you at all times.

Personal I think this is the dumbest argument ever. It doesn't really improve your security (How often do you come into situations were you actually would need a gun?) and only makes sure that are a lot of idiots with guns out there.

Plus, if nobody would carry a gun it would be a much safer place.

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[info]jbmcdragon
2008-07-20 07:36 pm UTC (link)
*laughs* I... have to agree with you. >.>

J

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[info]honzeldafitz
2008-07-20 02:54 pm UTC (link)
I don't agree with the NRA that everyone needs to be armed, although here in Texas a lot of people are. I've shot for years and guns still make me uncomfortable, plus there are just some people who shouldn't have a firearm... ever (shaky grannies and Type-A executives to be included in that number).

I decided a while back that as long as the criminals were armed, I will be, too. That's not to say that I go looking for trouble, because I'm rather laid back and decidedly non-confrontational. However, should Mr. Bad Guy with bad intentions try to break into my home, he will be greeted with a surprise of the pump-action, .12 gauge variety. And it will serve him right, too. :P

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[info]honzeldafitz
2008-07-20 03:17 pm UTC (link)
Oops, meant to comment on the over-testosteroned, 'Let's declare martial law' people and side-tracked myself.

My ex is sort of like that. He says he would love a Mad Max kind of world, but the reality of it would suck. He served in Desert Storm and did not have a fun time ~ also brought home PTSD, the gift that keeps on giving. He spends too much time behind a desk these days, probably. I think most of these guys need an outlet they don't get in our sit-on-our-butts-behind-a-desk/computer/car society.

I wonder if the studies about weaponized areas included rural areas. Inner cities seem to be stressful for a lot of reasons, but rural areas are highly weaponized, too. I don't see the same attitude from the country as I do in the city. Less fear, perhaps?

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[info]jbmcdragon
2008-07-20 07:38 pm UTC (link)
My uncle is like your ex, without the PTSD. We argue a lot. ;-D

Studies and stuff now posted about. After an hour and a half of writing on it. Ugh. ;)

J

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[info]doqz
2008-07-20 03:28 pm UTC (link)
Just asking for trouble now...

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[info]jbmcdragon
2008-07-20 07:39 pm UTC (link)
*LAUGHS* I know! Though the last time I said something like this about a hot-button topic, I got no takers. Ah, well. Live and learn. ;-D

Oh, but you can have a gun. If only so I can laugh and laugh and laugh... ;-D

J

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[info]doqz
2008-07-20 07:52 pm UTC (link)
I actually keep meaning to get dow to the range and pop off a few rounds, see what it's like :)

In general, the entire argument for me is basically the same as global warming. Politicized to the point where researching every study, put out by the either side would require a whole lot more attention that the interest I have in the entire issue.

Personally, I think the gun control side has pretty much lost the argument, majority seems to be pro ownership. They should really switch toward required training, at this point.

The DC case, specifically is a silly way to go about it - it inculcates mistrust of the Court and of the government. Why use the legitimate channels of recourse if the other side will just engage in shenanigans if they don't like the result? Bad long-term trend.

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[info]jbmcdragon
2008-07-21 12:02 am UTC (link)
Me, too, if only so I can write about it. ;-D

*laughs* So basically how I feel about politics... only I have you to keep me updated. ;-D

See, required training and careful licensing would totally work for me. I'm anti gun, yes, but it IS in the Constitution and I can see why other people would want it. So, hey, cool. But I'd like to see more care with them, at least. :P

As far as I can tell, you're totally right. DC screwed up big time; if we get laws passed only to have them warped out of shape at whim, that's not cool. Make everything unstable. Like you said, bad long-term trend. :P

J

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[info]drelfina
2008-07-20 05:58 pm UTC (link)
>.> I wouldn't mind more on it. >.> My australian relatives were SO confounded when I told them (me and my brother)that Singapore didnt allow guns. Personally, I think if people weren't allowed to have guns, it'd mean any gun found in civilian hands were obviously illegal etc.

Or stricter license control. Or something.

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[info]jbmcdragon
2008-07-20 07:39 pm UTC (link)
I'd agree. :P

And now posted about in massive post of doom. go, read, have fun and be merry. I'm gonna go read about Buddha. :D

J

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