guns

[bigfoot951]

Obviously there need to be regulations and such but I think it is crazy for someone to suggest we shouldn't be allowed to own a gun.  The thing that baffles me is that people act like that would decrease the crime rate, but clearly it would not.  If anything the crime rate would increase because criminals will still have guns and then they wouldn't have to worry about an innocent civilian being able to protect themselves.

[mrisha]

Guns are not the mental cases that hurt people, it's the mental case holding the Gun that is the problem.  People are going to continue to have guns no matter the laws.  Look at the laws about cell phones and people not texting or talking while driving-people continue to do it.  The politicians talk a good game, but no one wants to really enforce the law.

[froggylover227]

I feel that there should definitely be background checks for obtaining a weapon, but seriously, since when do criminals follow rules? Banning guns, making them harder to get, etc. is not going to stop a determined criminal from getting one. Instead it just makes it more difficult for law-abiding citizens to get them, and to be able to protect themselves and others from crazies!

[NempieBlues]

There's every reason to own an assault rifle, but I'll give you just one.  Check out what's happening in Africa and the Middle East.  When your government turns on you, that is a good enough reason to own one.

[goldcatt]

Background checks, yes.

Close the loopholes, absolutely yes.

Not sure where I stand yet on assault weapons and limiting clips.

The problem is twofold. First, mental healthcare like most healthcare in the US is APPALLING. The entire system needs an overhaul from the ground up, and yesterday. Won't happen, not even the farthest of the far right screeching about the entire problem being the mentally ill are hinting at talking about possibly thinking about fixing it, because it will cost pharma among other big cash lobbying groups money. But until that's done, there's truth to expecting more of the same no matter what.

That said, the other part of the equation is the ease with which people who already should not have weapons can get them without obstacle or detection simply by going to a show or through private sale. And it's perfectly legal. Statutory background checks on every sale no matter where it takes place make the sellers just as responsible as the buyers under the law. That's a much more effective deterrent to sales of guns to criminals than any outright ban. Assuming enforcement isn't localized and selective, that is.  

[smithjcsdfw]

Gun Control as several folks have pointed out is a joke.  About as much of a joke as Drug Control and we all know how well that is working out.  But now if everyone who wanted a gun and was held responsible for the use of that gun.  Well that might be a different story.

[msmoneybags48]

My life changed forever when my boyfriend was shot by his "20 year" friend who was released from prison after committing 2 murders.  My boyfriend was driving his boss's car (she left the keys on the counter) and he did not heed my warning that he shouldn't take those keys because something bad might happen.  He called me at midnight to check on me and told me he loved me and would be home shortly.  His friend told him he wanted the car and he told him no.  A fight ensued.  His "so-called" friend hit him in the head with the barrel of the gun and shot him in the heart.  My understanding from the police was that he did not die immediately; he told them that "Shannon" shot me and passed away October 12, 2003, over 3 weeks after his 46th birthday.  It took them a while to find "Shannon" because he killed others and was finally caught in Memphis, TN.   So this was a person who was a convicted murderer and he had possession of a gun when he didn't need one.  There are people (like convicted felons) who do not need guns.  The laws need to be tougher to protect honest people from people like that.

[bonzie]

I still believe good people have the right to own gun for protection,But the people that untrustworthy should not. There are lots of cases that guns save good people from the bad one.

[Nancy5]

I think even if we had stronger gun laws it would do no good.  Yes the law abiding people would either turn in their guns or have to adhere to stricter regulations to obtain one.  But as a rule it is not the law abiding people who rob people, shoot people, etc.  if a criminal wants to get a gun he will no matter what the laws are.

[Cuppycake]

I also feel that  there needs to be more regulations and background checks. It way to easy to get your hands on this "military weapons".

That will mean only criminals will have these weapons. People need to actually think before saying we "need gun control" ...

[reiddb]

Take our guns away and we are one step closer to communism....one step closer to government complete control!

[davidf938]

If weapons are outlawed, only outlaws will have weapons.

[6265AT99]

Every American Citizen has a right to own a firearm.  There is no changing that fact.  Our forefathers knew all too well what they were doing when they constructed the Constitution of this Country and the 2ND AMENDMENT SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED!!!!  PERIOD!!!!!  It's really a sad day for us when those whom we elect and put into office THINK THEY CAN STOMP ON THE CONSTITUTION AND GET AWAY WITH IT!!!!  THERE WILL BE A MAJOR REVOLUTION IF THEY TRY TO "INFRINGE" ON THESE RIGHTS!!!!  READ THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL FOLKS!!!!!!!!!!  DON'T GIVE UP OR GIVE IN!!!!!!!!!!

[ricdsm]

I own 4 guns.  2 rifles and 2 hand guns.  However, I'm not afraid of common sense restrictions. I don't have a lot of confidence that any restriction is going to solve much. I'm ok w/ trying.

[bleyd]

Guns don't kill people. People kill people. I think no matter how much you try to control guns by creating more laws, there's always some one selling it illegally on the black market and some people are willing to buy it. Just making it harder for responsible citizens to own them.