does anyone have intelligent justifications for gun control? no rude answers...?

Question

i am pro gun, but i want to hear oppsing views. ive become more liberal and i understand that conservative views are too simplistic and was wondering if my view on guns is too simpistic also. the fact that people should own a gun to protect themselves may seem rational, but i am not sure and would like some legitimate facts or intelligent opinions. thanks.

baby, thats what im thinking too.

thanks for the answers so far. my opinion is what is the point of keeping guns away from honest citizens. we know that criminals will always get guns.

Answer 1

I'm a liberal and don't agree with hunting, but understand some people eat/sell the meat or skins to survive. What I don't understand is why any American would need or want an assault rifle or want one in the hands of an ordinairy citizen. The only purpose they have is to kill people. No one hunts with an assault rifle and no one is going to protect themselves or their home with one either. Therefore, the Assault Rifle Ban should be reinstated.
More guns in the hands of our citizens put Police, Fireman and EMTs/ First-Responders in danger. Guns can be stolen from homes by family, friends or criminals and used to commit crimes such as robbery, rape, or murder, etc. What we need is mandatory background checks for everyone who wishes to purchase a firearm, and mandatory firearm locks with every purchase of a firearm. The gun and the locks will have a corresponding serial number engraved on them. Ideally, every home that had a gun in it would also have a gun safe that would be firmly secured to the floor or wall studs. Should a gun be stolen from someone's home, etc., and used in a crime, the owner must accept a fine, jail time or surrender their remaining guns. As of now, "suspected" terrorists may still purchase firearms. This should never be allowed when our citizens safety is at risk, no matter what the NRA or Bush Admin. say.
Our ForeFathers could never have imagined the firearms of today in the hands of ordinairy citizens. They added the 2nd Amendment because the country was just beginning and they had to fear a tyrannical government (
School Safety
Between 1994 and 1999, there were 220 school associated violent events resulting in 253 deaths - - 74.5% of these involved firearms. Handguns caused almost 60% of these deaths. (Journal of American Medical Association, December 2001)
In 1998-99 academic year, 3,523 students were expelled for bringing a firearm to school. This is a decrease from the 5,724 students expelled in 1996-97 for bringing a firearm to school. (U.S. Department of Education, October 2000)
Nearly 8% of adolescents in urban junior and senior high schools miss at least one day of school each month because they are afraid to attend. (National Mental Health & Education Center for Children & Families, National Association of School Psychologists 1998)
The National School Boards Association estimates that more than 135,000 guns are brought into U.S. schools each day. (NSBA, 1993)

Children and Gun Violence
America is losing too many children to gun violence. Between 1979 and 2001, gunfire killed 90,000 children and teens in America. (Children's Defense Fund and National Center for Health Statistics)
In one year, more children and teens died from gunfire than from cancer, pneumonia, influenza, asthma, and HIV/AIDS combined. (Children's Defense Fund)
The rate of firearm deaths among kids under age 15 is almost 12 times higher in the United States than in 25 other industrialized countries combined. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

America and Gun Violence
Every day, more than 80 Americans die from gun violence. (Coalition to Stop Gun Violence)
The rate of firearm deaths among kids under age 15 is almost 12 times higher in the United States than in 25 other industrialized countries combined. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
American kids are 16 times more likely to be murdered with a gun, 11 times more likely to commit suicide with a gun, and nine times more likely to die from a firearm accident than children in 25 other industrialized countries combined. (Centers for Disease Control)

Guns in the Wrong Hands
Americans for Gun Safety produced a 2003 report that reveals that 20 of the nation’s 22 national gun laws are not enforced. According to U.S. Department of Justice data (FY 2000-2002), only 2% of federal gun crimes were actually prosecuted. Eighty-five percent of cases prosecuted relate to street criminals in possession of firearms. Ignored are laws intended to punish illegal gun trafficking, firearm theft, corrupt gun dealers, lying on a criminal background check form, obliterating firearm serial numbers, selling guns to minors and possessing a gun in a school zone. To access The Enforcement Gap: Federal Gun Laws Ignored, visit http://w3.agsfoundation.com/. For a state-by-state chart of gun crimes (FY 2000-2002), click here.
Studies show that 1 percent of gun stores sell the weapons traced to 57 percent of gun crimes. According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the dealer that armed the DC area sniper is among this small group of problem gun dealers that "supply the suppliers" who funnel guns to the nation's criminals. (Between 1997 and 2001, guns sold by this dealer were involved in 52 crimes, including homicides, kidnappings and assaults. Still open today, it also can't account for 238 guns or say whether they were stolen, lost or sold, or if their buyers underwent felony-background checks.) As a result, these few gun dealers have a vastly disproportionate impact on public safety. The ATF can recognize such dealers based on: (1) guns stolen from inventory; (2) missing federal sales records, needed by police to solve crimes; (3) having 10 weapons a year traced to crimes; (4) frequently selling multiple guns to individual buyers; and (5) short times between gun sales and their involvement in crimes. Yet ATF enforcement is weak due to a lack of Congressional support and resources. For more details, click here.
Terrorists have purchased firearms at gun shows, where unlicensed sellers are not currently required to conduct background checks or to ask for identification. According to the Middle East Intelligence Report, for example, a Hezbollah member was arrested in November 2000, after a nine-month investigation by the FBI's counter-terrorism unit. Ali Boumelhem was later convicted on seven counts of weapons charges and conspiracy to ship weapons and ammunition to Lebanon. Federal agents had observed Boumelhem, a resident of Detroit and Beirut, travel to Michigan gun shows and buy gun parts and ammunition for shipment overseas. Boumelhem was prohibited from legally purchasing guns as gun stores because he was a convicted felon. Additional cases involve a Pakistani national with an expired (1988) student visa; a Lebanese native and Hamas member with numerous felony convictions; and a supporter of the Irish Republican Army. (USA Today, Wednesday, November 28, 2001 Americans for Gun Safety)
According to Americans for Gun Safety (December 2002), gun theft is most likely in states without laws requiring safe storage of firearms in the home and where there are large numbers of gun owners and relatively high crime rates. Based on FBI data, nearly 1.7 million guns have been reported stolen in the past ten years, and only 40% of those were recovered. The missing guns, over 80% of which are taken from homes or cars, most likely fuel the black market for criminals. NEA, AGS and the National Rifle Association advocate for safe storage. To access "Stolen Guns: Arming the Enemy" visit www.agsfoundation.com.
The American Medical Association reports that between 36% and 50% of male eleventh graders believe that they could easily get a gun if they wanted one.
In 1998-99 academic year, 3,523 students were expelled for bringing a firearm to school. This is a decrease from the 5,724 students expelled in 1996-97 for bringing a firearm to school. (U.S. Department of Education, October 2000)
According to a report by the Joshephson Institute of Ethics (2000 Report Card: Report #1), 60% of high school and 31% of middle school boys said they could get a gun if they wanted to (April, 2001).

Answer 2

Sometimes honest citizens get upset and make mistakes... a waiting period gives them a few days to think about it and cool off.

It shouldn't be EASY for criminals and mentally ill to get guns. Just because someone is going to break the law doesn't mean we have to make it easy for them to do so. And, to top it off.. if they are caught with a gun and shouldn't own one.. they go to jail! So it DOES help the honest citizen to have reasonable gun control.

Also... lets take a literal translation of just the segment of the right to bear arms... (not considering the possible implications of the "well regulated militia at the moment)... where does the "right to bear arms end"? With Surface to Air Missiles? Can the rich buy their own personal nuke? So obviously there should be SOME gun control... and I believe we have an appropriate level at this time.

Answer 3

Laws should be enforced. Instead of making up new laws to "fix" problems, enforce the old ones because new laws wont work either if they are not enforced.

Also, gun control just keeps guns out of law abiding citizens hand because criminals dont care they will break the law and get the gun illegaly anyway.

I own a gun and have used it for protection. one night the dogs ran to the kitchen window and someone was trying to get in so I shot and put a whole in the wall because it was dark but the person ran off. I had never been so scared.
I am not trigger happy but if i would have shot that person they wouldve deserved it because they were up to no good and i didnt know if they had a weapon or not. When the police found him he did have a knife.

Answer 4

For one, I don't believe that the need to protect yourself with a gun comes up that often. Most criminals do not want any sort of confrontation and would be just as easily dissuaded with a baseball bat. Armed robberies usually take place in more public venues, not inside people's homes.

Secondly, I think that the wide availability of guns creates a lot more casual criminals. People who would not go through the trouble of attaining a gun illegally sometimes end up in a position where they decide to use their gun in a way that's not self-defense. And the existence of so many legal guns makes it much easier to attain an illegal gun, in addition to making it more difficult for law enforcement to crack down on illegal arms dealers.

Last, I think that defending yourself with a gun is just plain dangerous. If you start shooting at a criminal, they will be shooting back if only out of fear. Any time guns are fired in your own home your family is at risk. I've heard gun enthusiasts refute the data, but I've seen studies that say a gun in your home is much more likely to kill a friend or family member than an intruder.

We're getting to the point with our technology where we have plenty of options for self defense that are very effective but not lethal. Many gun enthusiasts don't even want to mandate a gun safety course or limit the kinds of guns that a civilian can buy. The more guns there are, the more deadly violence there is. There are other ways to protect your family.

Answer 5

This year approx 12,000 people will die in the USA due to guns. You are statistically more likely by owning a gun to shoot and kill a member of your own family than a burgular. The widespread availablity of guns will continue to get into the hands of nut jobs and legislation is too poor. The problem with guns is there is no control. I was visiting the US as a tourist in 1996 and I legally shot 22 rounds from a Glock 9mm in Arizona, that is just plain damn crazy.

Answer 6

A simplistic view is not necessarily wrong. My beliefs in gun ownership were affirmed the night I looked out the window and saw a prowler looking back at me. I lived alone in a poor neighborhood.

If I had been able to afford it, I would have purchased a gun the next day. I know some self defense; but when it comes down to it, I'd prefer a weapon that doesn't require I be within arms reach. I won't kill unnecessarily, but I will kill if need be.

Answer 7

Remember, gun control advocates only want to take guns away from the people, not from the government. And the dirty little secret is that the whole gun issue is not about guns. It's about controlling others and limiting their god given rights... In essence, an unarmed population cannot fight back against a tyranical government. I mean look at what's happening in Iran right now... We're not to far off from that if we keep giving up our liberties...

Answer 8

I'm pro gun also... I myself have several guns... however weapons today aren't your average 6 shooter... they are much more powerful, and I support controls that keep our law enforcement community safe. I don't think anyone needs a military grade 50 cal sniper rifle or a sub machine gun for any practical purpose...however it is a slippery slope when you start enacting regulations...so any regulation has to be limited and specific and be debated thoroughly.

If the "ray gun" was invented tomorrow.... should the average citizen be allowed to carry one ?....I think not.

All of the debate about "assault rifles"...to me is pointless though...because most crimes involving illegal use of firearms are typically hand guns because they are concealable.

Background checks are OK...but there is no background check for person to person sales. So that only limits crazy people from buying weapons at a store.

Answer 9

Just like not everyone should be allowed to drive, not everyone should be allowed to own a gun. Driving is a privilege not a right, and that right there is were all the red tape comes in, because the Constitution makes it a right. And it's has good intention, but you know what always happens with those. Anyway, not everyone should have the right to own a gun, because not everyone can handle the responsibility that comes along with it.

Answer 10

If you get a chance, take a look at the murder rate per capita in the west, during the "Wild West" era. You will find that this number is lower than it is today. Many people myself believe that this has a lot to do with the fact that if you were going to attempt to commit a crime against someone they had the ability to adequately defend themselves.

Aside from that number (which by the way you have to be careful looking up, because the stats can be convoluted) the only people that will be stopped or slowed in getting firearms are law abiding citizens. Heroin and Cocaine are both illegal and criminal still get their hands on it. Simply making something illegal or restricting the access to it never achieves it's desired result.

Answer 11

Not against only for. The only thing I can say is without gun control is you wouldn't be able to kill that SOB trying to murder your family. Wait, that's not right. How about look at England, they have gun control and their homicide rate due to guns have gone up drastically. Oops, well, I can't seem to think of a good reason for gun control. I own about a dozen guns and the only one that might have killed someone was owned by a police officer in Atlanta as his carry weapon. I have a sign on my business door that says: The owner of this property is armed, there is nothing inside worth risking your life for.