Do You Own a Gun?

[Aliantha]

OK. Here's a concession. Accepting that normal rational sane people should be able to carry guns legally with all the permits etc, and discounting all the accidents that stem from this as simply accidents just like misspelling and drunk driving and fat people; what is being done about the massive number of people who have illegal guns or own them illegally. Or are trafficking guns to minors or are committing crimes with guns etc?

This is really the crux of the problem if you accept that everyone should have the right to own a gun...isn't it?

Originally Posted by Aliantha

OK. Here's a concession. Accepting that normal rational sane people should be able to carry guns legally with all the permits etc, and discounting all the accidents that stem from this as simply accidents just like misspelling and drunk driving and fat people; what is being done about the massive number of people who have illegal guns or own them illegally. Or are trafficking guns to minors or are committing crimes with guns etc?

This is really the crux of the problem if you accept that everyone should have the right to own a gun...isn't it?

It seems that the "crux of the problem" is that a lot of people seem to be under the mistaken impression that removing the rights of law abiding citizens will, somehow, inhibit the actions of criminals.
Even worse, they cannot see the magnificent flaw in this logic.

Originally Posted by Ibram

No, that ISN'T mob rule. They arent coming with torches and pitchforks telling you to get rid of it; they're coming nicely and asking you to please get rid of it. Theyre asking, not telling. To be part of society, you need to make sacrefices. You dont have to make the sacrifice - but if you want to be part of the neighborhood, you might wanna make nice with the neighbors.

Oh, ok then, I would just say "no, thank you". Simple enough.

[Aliantha]

Originally Posted by rkzenrage

It seems that the "crux of the problem" is that a lot of people seem to be under the mistaken impression that removing the rights of law abiding citizens will, somehow, inhibit the actions of criminals.
Even worse, they cannot see the magnificent flaw in this logic.

Well that wasn't really an answer rkz. I already know what a lot of people seem to think.

[xoxoxoBruce]

I know one thing they can do.
In order to buy a gun you have to pass an instant background check. It is a violation of federal law to attempt to buy a gun if know you are ineligible to own one. Over the years hundreds of thousands of people have been prevented from buying a gun by this system. Guess how many have been prosecuted for violation of this federal law? ZERO.

[Aliantha]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

I know one thing they can do.
In order to buy a gun you have to pass an instant background check. It is a violation of federal law to attempt to buy a gun if know you are ineligible to own one. Over the years hundreds of thousands of people have been prevented from buying a gun by this system. Guess how many have been prosecuted for violation of this federal law? ZERO.

Well that sounds like an excellent proposition. I wonder why people don't do something about it.

Originally Posted by Aliantha

Well that wasn't really an answer rkz. I already know what a lot of people seem to think.

I answered it earlier, our rights are not up for a vote, I did answer it in the post, law abiding citizens rights are not subject to removal due to the actions of criminals (true also for illegal immigration).
If you want to give up your right to own a firearm, don't buy one.

[Aliantha]

Originally Posted by rkzenrage

I answered it earlier, our rights are not up for a vote, I did answer it in the post, law abiding citizens rights are not subject to removal due to the actions of criminals (true also for illegal immigration).
If you want to give up your right to own a firearm, don't buy one.

rkz, my post wasn't anything about rights. I even conceeded that everyone has the right to own a gun, for the sake of sensible discussion.

I asked for a solution to the problem of illegal gun crimes.

Originally Posted by Aliantha

rkz, my post wasn't anything about rights. I even conceeded that everyone has the right to own a gun, for the sake of sensible discussion.

I asked for a solution to the problem of illegal gun crimes.

First, I really hope you are not trying to separate the right to own a gun from actually owning one.

Second, I am not a cop, but I do believe decriminalizing drugs will reduce gun crime by at least half, if not two-thirds.
Controlling our borders sensibly will reduce illegal guns entering our country by another significant amount.
The law enforcement freed-up by decriminalizing drugs can then be put to good use actually fighting REAL crime. Government corruption along with those trying to purchase and move guns illegally perhaps?