Is Gun Control a solution ?

[RonS]

In light of the recent events, mainly VT, and previously Columbine, there have been many people who suggest that it is time to remove guns from the civilian population. That the Constitution was written in a time when events such as these were not for seen, and should be amended. There was an editorial written in Advertiser , Tues or Wed I think whereby the writer advocated removal of weapons from the general population, stating is essence that we no longer need guns to protect ourselves from tyranny, and that pistols are not used for hunting,that police in Europe do not carry guns because they have kinder criminals overseas, that gun control has reduced the number of gun deaths etc.

I think his facts were incorrect as far as European police goes, but as our population demographics change and the urban population becomes more of a majority (50% Gore-50% Bush type thing) I was curious how the attitudes run in Lafayette area ?

[TBEAR]

You can pry my gun from cold dead fingers!!!

Idiotic, this yoyo that killed the people at VT would have found a weapon if he wanted, if you disarm the people, which would be kinda hard to do to begin with because of all the guns already out there, your criminals will find guns if they want to. Most of the crooks get their guns from the street anyway and dont go to Lafayette Shooters to buy their gun to rob the circle K for 20 dollars.

Tree-huggers, we can do without them.

[zoe10850]

I read that guest editorial as well. I think everyone is entitled to an opinion and I think if you do not want a gun, do not buy one. I for one do not have a lot of trust in government.

I noted there were still gun tragedies in England, despite a complete weapon ban and Japan as well, so what does that tell you. In USA, the most restrictive laws are in NYC and Wash DC, yet, you hear gunfire at night in Washington, and we all know how safe NYC is.

I believe that gun control is merely one more intrusion by the people with "Gore/Kerry/Clinton" type mindset; we know how to run their lives better than them. Makes me want to purchase more weapons.

[noze]

No matter what happens or what law these morons pass I can promise you one thing, they will NEVER get my guns.

[coolboy]

Increasing control over guns will never be the answer. We have laws against murdering people, but this kid still murdered. He would have gotten his guns on the black market. If the US decides to restrict guns, only the law-abiding citizens will comply. The criminals won't all of a sudden say, "Hey, let me rob this store with a stick. I would've used a gun, but that's against the law!"

[TBEAR]

thats what I'm screamin coolboy, or "hey I want to kill 30 people, but wait, its against the law for me to have a gun, so I guess I wont do it."

[abbd]

Some people elect to protect their families others elect to not protect theirs. I certainly elect to protect my family so naturally I am a gun owner. Anyone who isn't is a fool. Just my opinion.

[Dorothy]

If in fact gun control becomes the law of the land, and you refuse to give up your guns, then you , by definition, will become a criminal. The legislatures/Congress could create an additional 100 million criminals immediately.

The problem with legislation such as this, is that it is "feelgood" but does nothing to resolve the problem. A classic example: The 55 mph national speed limits. Slow down, save gas, save lives. The safety groups threw out all of this tripe about how many lives were saved by lower limits based upon their stats and the assumption that people really drove slower. We all know no one drove 55 unless a trooper was enforcing the law, and the troopers themselves never obey the law. My husband always had a "cb" radio and a radar detector in the car, and he was certainly not the only one. Result; bogus stats. If traffic deaths declined, it was not due to reduced speed limit. Another result; widespread civil disobedience and lack of respect for law. We know when a law is stupid.

Back to the case at hand. If gun control is passed, is the government willing to create 100 million criminals ? Or will it be like Bill Clinton's "don't ask, don't tell" in the military, which did nothing to resolve anything, but made social liberals feel good.

My solution is enforce laws on the books now. You can own a gun, but if gun is used to break law, punishment should be swift and harsh. Are cars to be outlawed next because 40,000 people are killed in cars each year ?

[fubar]

What part of the Constitution don't you or your ilk understand. It does not say what it says about the PEOPLE'S right to bear arms for nothing. You can mince words about some of the Constitution, but it says clearly that I have the right to bear arms and no one can change that. If the idiots on the Supreme Court can interpret the Constitution, with absolutely no language in it, on the subject of the Constitutional right to an abortion, how the hell can you interpret the constitution to prevent me from having the weapons necessary to protect my self and my family. RTFC!
Fubar
The United States Constitution (c) 1791 - All Rights reserved

[zoe10850]

Well fubar, the problem is this; The Constitution/Bill of Rights also said income tax was against the law, that only white property owners could vote, that slavery was legal, that the states were sovereign, that Washington DC could not vote etc. but all that seems to have changed. Abortion is not a political issue and should be left to the states.

I agree that the Constitution protects our right to keep and bear arms, however, that right is constantly being chipped away and the press encourages that philosophy as well as the agenda of government control in other areas of our lives. It will only get worse and we will respond like sheep. I too will be a criminal in the future because I will own a firearm as will my children.

[fubar]

Ok, sorry for the tone of the answer, it is just that every time some idiot opens up the press wants to take away our only possible protection. Like the New Orleans cops picking up the guns after Katrina - always a further inroad or our rights but never a path back.

[zoe10850]

Ah ha. But the Saint Bernard Sheriff picked up the guns at the pawn shops,gun shops and even the National Guard Armory BEFORE the storm hit, under the assumption that the natives would be restless. And they were.

That is proactive law enforcement. NO guns were taken from citizens, but no guns were stolen from stores. Result, no looting in Saint Bernard after the storm. Ditto for Plaquemines Parish. And if there were, the looters would have been shot (probably by the deputies as well). That is how the system should work. Do you think NOPD learned from that ? I seriously doubt it.

[fubar]

Interesting tidbit on the St Bernard Parish sheriff. What a great idea. No stolen guns not much trouble. And those law abiding among us stay armed. I'll vote for that.