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Gun Control: Controlling Guns or Controlling People?

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Gun Control: Controlling Guns or Controlling People?

from JoeUser Forums
Call me crazy, but I often wonder if Americans really understand the intention behind the second amendment. The exact wording of this amendment reads:

Amendment II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

All historical documents are inherently open to wide interpretation, and this amendment has seen many vast incarnations. Another blogger interpreted it to mean the right for target shooting and hunting; harmless enough. Of course the wackos in the world think it means they can stockpile weapons for their racist, religous causes; not so harmless.

In order to understand the true intention behind this amendment, one must look back, like all historical documents, to the climate in which it was written. We had just waged a revolutionary war against England. King George called us 'rabble in arms.' We were citizens in arms against tyranny and taxation without representation. Our revolution began when the British sent Redcoats door to door to confiscate the peoples' guns.

To this day, whether you choose to own a gun or not, you have this inalienable right. It is a safety net to protect us from oppression. It provides us with a way of rising up against our government should we feel oppressed. If the leaders took away our right to bear arms, we would have no recourse for fighting a corrupt government. There's been no shortage of dictators, in many countries. Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Mao, Idi Amin, Castro, Pol Pot. All these monsters began by confiscating private arms, then literally soaking the earth with the blood of tens and tens of millions of their people. The German people could not stage a coupe and fight Hitler with sticks.

Will this amendment be abused by evildoers and serial killers? Of course, but no law would stop them. There will always be evil in this world. Evil men do not follow rules. And if one should become our leader, we have the right to bear arms.""
politics
15,860 views 38 replies
Reply #26 from JoeUser Forums Top
I remember a comedian that once said, "If guns kill people, I can blame misspelled words on my pencil.


Anybody know where I can get a better keyboard? This one misspells a lot!
Reply #27 from JoeUser Forums Top
wit bit of humor


meant "wee bit of humor" *blushes*
Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #28 from JoeUser Forums Top
Reply By: Texas This is a good article, iamheather


Thanks Tex.

Personally, I hate guns. I would never own one. Too many children have died because they had access to daddy's gun and either intentionally or accidentally killed themselves or a friend or family member. I don't understand the appeal of hunting. I personally think it's sick to derive pleasure from killing something. However, I have the right to not own a gun. I don't intend to push my feelings about guns on others.


Same here, Tex. Guns make me nervous. I should never own a gun and do not plan to. My father-in-law is a deputy sheriff, so my husband grew up around guns. Still, he won't have a gun in the house either. The cons far outweigh the pros for us at this point. But, I could forsee a time under certain circumstances as sited in my artlcle, that a gun could be a necessary evil.

Since you read up on murder and serial killers, iamheather, I'm sure you are aware of the significance of someone killing another person via gun versus via knife or other up-close weapon. Guns themselves do not kill people, but they make killing light work


Interestingly enough, guns are not the preferred method of serial killers. The sadistic mind prefers a more sadistic weapon. Dahmer and Bundy, the Zodiac Killer, Manson, the Green River Killer, Jack the Ripper, all used knives, drugs or bludgeoning instruments.

Reply By: dharmagrl
People are the ones who choose to aim and pull the trigger, just as people are the ones who choose to slash and stab with knives.


Could it be said, "Knives don't kill people; people kill people?"

We do need to start controlling who gets to own a gun. We have plenty of legislation on the books already; we now need to start enforcing it.


And this is the point! Thank you dharmagrl.

Reply By: Genghis Hank
[Anybody know where I can get a better keyboard? This one misspells a lot
Reply #29 from JoeUser Forums Top
Interestingly enough, guns are not the preferred method of serial killers. The sadistic mind prefers a more sadistic weapon. Dahmer and Bundy, the Zodiac Killer, Manson, the Green River Killer, Jack the Ripper, all used knives, drugs or bludgeoning instruments.


That's the thing that is so striking to me -- up close and with knives and bludgeoning instruments indicates a true killer who does not mind getting covered in gore, and this is supported by crime research. On the otherhand, guns tend to be used in spur of the moment crimes of passion. That's what's scary. Many a heated family argument has turned deadly because a gun was readily accessible.

BTW -- this is not an argument for not allowing people to own guns, just another reason why I personally don't own one.
Reply #30 from JoeUser Forums Top
Many a heated family argument has turned deadly because a gun was readily accessible.


I agree completely, Tex. Very insightful observation.
Reply #31 from PolMach Forums Top
The bottom line to me is that if you ban guns the only people that will have them are criminals and the government. Two things which I inherently distrust. Also, when does it end? Do we move on to knives and other sharp objects? Guns don't kill people all by themselves. A gun is just a tool. It's like saying a shovel is responsible for digging a ditch. I understand the point about family arguments becoming deadly because of access to a gun but thats just a nother nasty part of life we have do deal with. Thousands of people use cars irresponsibly every year through drunk driving or other unsafe actions. Yet, we don't run around trying to ban the car. Just because a minute percentage of gun owners act irresponsibly doesn't mean the rest of us should have to give up our right to bear arms. My last point is that when someone breaks into your house and is threatening you, your family, and your property all the safeguards of a lawful society have failed you. The law, the govt., the police, your security systems, your dogs, and your neighbors. I just don't feel comfortable taking away anyone's right to a last defense and leaving someone at the mercy of a criminal.
Reply #32 from PolMach Forums Top
The bottom line to me is that if you ban guns the only people that will have them are criminals and the government. Two things which I inherently distrust. Also, when does it end? Do we move on to knives and other sharp objects? Guns don't kill people all by themselves. A gun is just a tool. It's like saying a shovel is responsible for digging a ditch. I understand the point about family arguments becoming deadly because of access to a gun but thats just a nother nasty part of life we have do deal with. Thousands of people use cars irresponsibly every year through drunk driving or other unsafe actions. Yet, we don't run around trying to ban the car. Just because a minute percentage of gun owners act irresponsibly doesn't mean the rest of us should have to give up our right to bear arms. My last point is that when someone breaks into your house and is threatening you, your family, and your property all the safeguards of a lawful society have failed you. The law, the govt., the police, your security systems, your dogs, and your neighbors. I just don't feel comfortable taking away anyone's right to a last defense and leaving someone at the mercy of a criminal.


Ditto, right on, wtg. Exactly!
Reply #33 from JoeUser Forums Top
The bottom line to me is that if you ban guns the only people that will have them are criminals and the government. Two things which I inherently distrust. Also, when does it end? Do we move on to knives and other sharp objects? Guns don't kill people all by themselves. A gun is just a tool.


Did you read what I wrote?
Reply #34 from JoeUser Forums Top
Did you read what I wrote?


I did, Tex.
Reply #35 from JoeUser Forums Top
I don't think Daniel really read my comments.
Reply #36 from JoeUser Forums Top
I don't think Daniel really read my comments.


Me either, or maybe he was just agreeing with you and reiterating?
Reply #37 from JoeUser Forums Top
maybe he was just agreeing with you and reiterating?


I hope that's the case . . .
Reply #38 from JoeUser Forums Top

Reply #21 By: dharmagrl - 11/23/2004 8:27:36 PM
I have a gun. My husband has a gun. Our kids have a gun. We go shooting together (used to, anyway). My husband carries a gun at work, as did I. We were both trained by police departments, and we pass on that knowledge to our children.


THIS is the key for having guns around children! It's called education and it starts at home.