Time to scrap the 'right to bear arms'?

Question

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20071206/tts-uk-shooting-nebraska-d1d4700_7.html

What's your opinion?

Footnote to both
tequila lucky and johny gre

You presumed on MY opinion.
The question was worded as a discussion topic. Pointless to get personal.

Interesting that several of our 'friends' have chosen to call me a moron.
Personal insults are invariably used by those who cannot discuss sensibly.

Thank you John73-for a well reasoned and informative answer. This was the (hoped for) object of posting the question! It's a shame some of your countrymen have to resort to the aforementioned personal insults.

Answer 1

Plainly, guns are dangerous. They carry with them the capacity to kill. Thus, when we see someone use a gun to kill or severely injure people, we are tempted to decry the availability of that gun.

I would, however, posit that violence against one's neighbors is not new and in fact predates the firearm. Long before the use of semi-automatic weapons, groups were perpetrating violence against their neighbors. One can arbitrarily choose what level of technology one will afford to would-be assailants, but in the end violence will continue.

The solution to violence is not in the tools. It is in the person using them and in the society that person inhabits. To the extent we see more random acts of violence today, it is because the world has become a colder place in which to live. Families are not as tight as they once were. Neighbors can live next to each other for years without getting to know each other. We walk down city streets and avoid eye contact rather than greet people with a friendly hello. Under the circumstances, it's a wonder we do not hear of more people who lose any regard for their fellow man and go off on killing sprees of one form or another.

This being said, there can be no argument against the proposition that the firearm has made it easier to kill our neighbor. In fact, that was one of the reasons for its invention. Guns, like motor vehicles, should not be available to those who fail to demonstrate the maturity and ability to handle them properly. However, just as people have access to other dangerous items, it is somewhat reactionary to deny everyone access to guns simply because a limited few abuse the privilege.

We should be reminded that, dangerous as they are, guns are responsible for far fewer deaths in this country than motor vehicles. Most folks use their weapons responsibly. It would be a shame that they would be denied their weapons through no fault of their own.

As for the Constitution, I would love to see the right to bear arms clarified (as opposed to antiquated "well regulated militia" language we have today), but I would not prefer to see it abolished.

Thanks for the question.

Answer 2

i'm a Brit too so I dont get wny human beings are so retaining approximately their rights to have weapons the two. I examine someplace recenlty this modification doo_dah is of their shape using fact it replaced into positioned there by way of the racist slave-vendors of yore and now this is a complicated habbit to interrupt. If I have been a determine of any of the infants from that faculty, no remember if a sufferer or a survivor, i do no longer think of i could desire a gun in my abode anymore.

Answer 3

And let's do away with FREEDOM OF SPEECH and Press too while we're at it.
The reason it is such a controversy is because it's defended by MORONS.
The Constitution says we have the right to a malitia. The reason THAT was put into the articles was to insure the Federal Government wouldn't take over through military force. HOWEVER, in the 1700's, it was slightly different than it is today. The militias, or NATIONAL GUARD, is paid for and/or subsidized as well as supplied by the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
So if WE THE PEOPLE need to protect ourselves from this "take over", who is the Guard going to side with ???

THAT'S why Joe Citizen needs to bear arms. NOBODY needs an AK-47 to hunt deer.

Answer 4

Are you refering to the lastest shooting in the U.S.A ? If so, then rember how vast that country is, the cops have guns the bad guys have guns the good guys have guns - question - where the bloody hell are they alcoming from ? Someone is making a killing (excuse the pun)

Answer 5

you moron!
if several ppl in that mall had even a handgun, they could've stopped him after the first couple of shots.
and if I want to own a military style or automatic weapon, there's no reason for a law that says I can't. I can do just as much damage with a pair of handguns as I could with an automatic rifle. It all depends on the person, not the weapon.
btw, I don't believe civilians should have machine guns, as in belt fed.

Answer 6

I think not! that was a kid of 19. He wasn't of legal age to buy a gun or ammo but yet he still got them. The same would happen if there were a law that outlawed guns. It's because of people like that kid as to why we need to carry guns. If there had been someone with a gun close by, he wouldn't have killed so many but someone would have capped him off.

Answer 7

Guns are just symptomatic. De Tocqueville, summarizing his findings on the greatness of America, said "America is great because America is good. If America ceases to be good it will cease to be great." Guns are not a problem in a culture that embraces morality but in a culture that denies God and promotes self as the highest good, they become one of many dangerous tools. My suggestion, work towards restoring goodness in our culture and you won't have to legislate all of the potential dangers.

Answer 8

no it's not time to scrap the 2nd if u scrap one who or what is to stop ppl just like u from scraping, say freedom of speech, or press or even the right to assemble. No the second amendment is part of what our founding fathers fought and died for. it is there to help safeguard the rest of our freedoms, that so many ppl today take for granted or push to the limits. Make no mistake if you lose one the others will not be far behind.

Answer 9

Sure, why not?? And while we are at it,,why don't just scrape the entire U.S. Constitution...I mean who needs it right?

WRONG. It is because of the U.S. Constitution and the RIGHTS all Americans have that make our country what it is. If you or anyone else do NOT like our Constitution or our Rights, then STAY AWAY...

Also Americans WILL stand and fight IF our government ever gets STUPID enough to attempt to take any part of our "BILL OF RIGHTS" away from us.

Answer 10

too many people are dying - the guns if anywhere should be in the hands of a police officer - because at the end of the day, it is the job that they are trying to do - protecting the public. (thankless task sometimes)