Gun RIghts/Control Question mostly for DEMS?

Question

I said this is for Dems because I figured they would be more likely to favor stricter gun control. (Disclaimer: I have only ever shot a gun once, so I personally don't care what my rights are to own one).

Here's my question: If guns were to be made illegal, or at least very hard to own, would guns become like illegal drugs? Would there be gangs and dealers making lots of money selling illegal guns while the government had the FBI and ATF running around trying to arrest them? It seems like if guns were illegal, they would simply become another blackmarket commodity since people looking to commit crimes would still want to own them.

Truth... I can read an AP story as well as the next guy... I was hoping for analysis from the Answers community.

Answer 1

12,000 people are murdered by a handgun each year.

43,000 are killed by an automobile each year.

Which is more deadly?

There are more then enough controls on weapons in this country. The Prosecutors need to enforce those laws.

Had just one student at Virginia Tech been armed the death toll would have been greatly reduced.

If law abiding citizens were armed - nut balls like that would be eliminated before they could destroy lives.

For the record - To the left wing nut balls - no semi auto rifle was used in the Virginia killings. So to say that a so called assault rifle should be banned is simply a ridiculous statement

Answer 2

If guns were illegal for the average citizen to obtain, you would quickly find an underground or black market for them. The law of Supply and Demand dictates that if there is a demand (and there would be, from criminals), there will be a supply.

But the point that the anti-gun groups make is that restricted access to guns would prevent a lot of murders. And it would. Not all, of course, since many people are killed with knives, sticks, ropes, baseball bats, fifth-floor balconies, and lots of other commonly-available implements. You would probably also see a much lower number of cops killed on the job: a man with a knife is not going to argue with a cop with a .357 magnum.

But the United States has a long history of gun ownership. In 1774, the British confiscated all the rifles in Williamsburg, VA in response to the Boston Tea Party. Control of the weapons is the first step in having a governement impose its will on the populace. Hitler rounded up all the guns in Germany for 'reasons of public safety' before his Nazi party started exterminating the Jews. An armed populace is the first bulwark against tyrrany.

I am a registered Democrat, but I hold many centrist views. I don't think people need automatic weapons for personal defense. I think people should be allowed to own guns, but I would like to limit the average citizen to six-shot .38 calibre revolvers, hunting rifles with limited magazines, and shotguns. If the VT shooter had been limited to a six-shot revolver, he might have killed six people before he needed to reload, and reloading takes several seconds, plenty of time for someone to tackle and disarm him.

Of course, this would not eliminate guns used in the commission of crimes. But it would limit the shooting spree massacres that we have seen this week, and it would give cops an edge.

Answer 3

This is already in play. Gangs already run gun rings and sell guns to those who can't own them legally...felons. They can't stop this and they certainly wouldn't be able to stop even more from selling and buying and quite frankly I don't want them to. The federal government already has to much power and the states have to bow down or conform to certain standards for "federal funds" which came from the individuals in the states in the first place. The fact that individual citizens own guns and lots of them is what keeps a total federal takeover from happening although it is not too far away. It happens slow over time until one day (like today) you realize it has gone beyond our worst fears. I am neither Republican or Democrat nor do I identify with any "organized religion". I believe in individual rights and individual religious freedom and that we have a responsibility and right as an individual to protect and do for ourselves because if you ask the government to do it for you, you also give the government power over you and so many mindless socialist today think this is okay. As an American it will never be okay! No more knee jerk reactions to incomprehinsible acts of a few individuals that new and more restrictive laws will not stop. I am tired of politicians who care no more for this country and its great people than beyond the term of their office taking our liberties and destroying the sacrifice of our fore fathers and anyone who has ever loved this country. I don't care if our gun laws are different from every other country in the world. They are supposed to be! We are different from every other country in the world! We are the symbol of freedom! Their is a reason for that and no politician no matter what party has a right to destroy that!

Answer 4

I am a Democrat and a lifelong gun owner (I am a long time hunter). I would not like to see a ban on all guns but stricter control of handguns and automatic weapons would be a good thing. I do agree with your point also, if these stricter handgun laws were put into effect it really wouldn't eliminate violent crimes. If someone wants to obtain an illegal weapon it wouldn't be that tough.

Answer 5

you are absolutely right. if guns were made illegal, the criminals would still have them. law abiding citizens like myself would all go in and turn in their guns, but gangs etc. would not. think about it from a common sense point of view. if you were a criminal and were going to rob a store or something where would you go, california (where almost no one can have a gun) or texas (where maybe everyone in the store is carrying)? even a dummy can figure out that one.

it would be nice to think we could ban guns and be protected by the police force, but there just arent enough officers.

oh, and by the way balderarrow. i know hundreds of people who own guns, but they are smart enough to teach their families to know how to use and respect them. and guess what? i don't know anyone who has ever been killed by a gun either.

Answer 6

I am Democrat and I do not own a gun. I have no wish to own one. I see no reason for anyone to have an assault weapon except for soldiers and police officers. I don't think guns kill people....I think other people kill people. Murder has been going on since time began. It is not going to stop because you put restrictions on weapons. People will find a way to obtain them regardless of the laws. I wish they would quit making assault weapons and I would feel a little safer in my city. I don't think you need an Uzi to shoot a deer. America is a land that is desensitized to violence. It is a part of our culture and everyday life. You watch tv and you see people get shot and die. You play a video game and you are shooting people or playing war. Guns are like abortions....ban them and people will still find a way to get them regardless.

Answer 7

They would certainly not dissappear, probably not even become less common. It's impossible to know for sure. Virginia's laws regarding firearms seems fairly strict - a 4-week waiting period seems sufficient, ditto the only 1 gun every 30 days law. What else could eb done as this is still considered a free society?

Answer 8

Even though you have only fired a gun once and may never own a firearm. You should be VERY concerned about your rights.

What right will you be willing to give up if you were to loose the right to bear arms? You give up one right, you may as well give up all your rights.

Freedom is like a great tree. You can take one chop out of it today and another tomorrow. It will continue to stand, but one day with enough chops it will fall and die.

Answer 9

I believe this situation already exists. Unregistered hand guns are the commodity of trade.

"Real" gun control starts at production....not at marketing. If you make it, someone will get it one way or the other.

I recommend a summer hike along the Trace Creek Section of the Ozark Trail in Missouri. More often than not you will hear automatic fire for most of your hike...so stay on the trail...

Answer 10

true, if guns were illegal, only the criminals would have them. Not a pretty picture....

We don't have much trouble in my neighborhood, we all own and carry (legally) guns.

A criminal would be crazy to pull on out around here - know what I mean?