Guns dont kill people, people kill people?

Question

So should we stop selling guns to people? And before you give me the 'they will just use a knife or a hammer or a baseball bat' believe me, I would rather you get up close and personal if you are going to take my life...is there a difference between guns and other weapons? If not, should we allow people to own bombs and outlawed poisons? The right to bear arms does not specify which arms...

also, does anyone have a source for the number of accidental stabbings or accidental beatings each year in the US?

cars are used for purposes other than killing. So, try again

Answer 1

I think the legislation being passed this week is the best we can do to ensure that people keep their right to bear arms but to also ensure that the mentally ill or criminals do not gain access to them...at least not legally.

Answer 2

Hell, either ban or tax the living Hell out of ammunition. The gun nuts can have all the guns they want but won't be able to shoot people with them if bullets cost $1,000 each or are unavalable...

Also, those of you who scream about the Second Amendment being inviolate are ignoring the entire first half of the amendment itself - the part having to do with a "well regulated militia". Paraphrasing it into "we can have guns nomatter what" is wrong. Only when you report for military duty on a regular basis for training and bring your own weapon to that training, will you be complying with the Second Amendment.

And while you're trying to think of a way around that, use the extra time to explain the Fourth Amendment to the president.

Answer 3

I see this question as possibly touching on two issues.

There's the issue of what society thinks the law should be.

And there's the issue of what the law currently provides, and how to change it if necessary.

It's interesting that we've touched on various issues on these boards lately - guns, drugs, abortion, etc. When do we limit people's freedom of action, and when do we not? What fundamental principle or principles consistently address all the issues? And do we have all the facts, and are we evaluating them properly?

And most importantly, are we being consistent and principled, or just indulging personal biases? Are we making arguments in one context that we would reject in another, without a clear logical distinction explaining the difference?

I have many more questions than answers.

PS Bullets kill people. :)

Answer 4

Most gun control advocates do not want to ban guns but there has to be some control. Not allowing sick or dangerous people from purchasing guns is one step. I own two rifles and enjoy target shooting. I cannot see the logic, however, of allowing people to own automatics, the polite way to say machine gun. There are ways to control gun ownership that do protect people and do not take away the right to own a weapon. Like everything else, there are compromises that can help end the the madness.

Answer 5

Which people are you talking about??? U.S. citizens or terrorist??? I personally do not own a gun, but many of my friends do, they are all hard working, law abiding citizens and it is their right to own a gun. To my knowledge they have not gone on a killing spree or have committed any crime against humanity. In most cases the it is criminals, I repeat criminals that kill other citizens.
I personally do not believe you need an assault rifle to go hunting ..but how many people collect cars that go faster than the speed limit, where's the need..but it is legal to collect them the same as the rifles.
Does that mean cars kill people so we should ban them too ...right???
How many people are killed each year in auto accidents??
So using your logic...are not cars more dangerous than guns and they should be banned...right???
Guns and cars are inanimate objects and thus are not able to kill anyone without a human operator...

Answer 6

Gun control kills people is like saying water makes you dry.Makes no sense whatsoever.
Americans sure love their guns one would think but looking at it from somewhat further away I think this issue is pushed by a very powerful lobby which doesn't stand for its interest but actively pushes and controls public opinion.
Look at any country in Western Europe and see gun control does work.Violent crime rates are by far the highest in America and that's in percentages so don't say it's because America is bigger.
In my humble opinion you are totally right on this issue but who am I to question Americans constitutional rights?
Guess it makes sense to cling to a law meant to keep the English King out and use it to sell automatic weapons..
On a positive note it's good to see conservatives care about civil liberties and freedom this much!Now get them to understand how important all the real civil liberties and freedoms are(and of their I have nothing to hide refrain) and we'll have some serious progress.

Answer 7

Guns are used up close and personal, and also from varying distances... I fail to understand your comment about, I would rather you get up close and personal if you are going to take my life*........Guns are not the problem*....... People managing their thoughts, feelings, and their emotions are the real problem*......There is not one single human being on this earth that isn't capable of snapping under a certain given set of circumstances, and they do resort to violence... What is the trigger that precipitates this response in people? It comes right down to the human response and has nothing to do with guns, knives, baseball bats, poison, bombs*... No one wants to admit that they or anyone else is capable of violence*.......

Answer 8

I am not a gun owner or a fan of guns but the statement is true. People do kill people and will always find a way to do that if they wish. Common sense approaches to what "arms" should be covered make sense but any serious limitation is a direct violation of the Constitution and it's intent.

Answer 9

whatever the person with the weapon does is up to him/herself. it all depends on what the person is buying the gun for. i think people that have a gun shop should ask the person what the person is going to do with the gun. if they say that they are a hunter then they should ask them for their hunting license. if they dont have one then they shouldnt be able to get the gun. same way with all other weapons.

Answer 10

For the most part I understand your concern and wish there weren't the prevalence of guns we have today. The problem with legislating guns is that it won't prevent the "bad" guys from getting them. Chances are if they didn't have a problem using a gun to kill someone, they probably won't have a problem obtaining one illegaly. I'd just assume people have the option to defend themselves, if the right people had guns at V. Tech, perhaps they could have prevented the tragedy.