General News Discussion

[t8yman]

What rational is there to have a gun?

[Hubert Cumberdale]

There are 300 million people in the USA. How many people died in mass shootings this year? 100? 200?

You could argue that 1 is too many, particularly children. And as I said - today is obviously a very sad day, and not really a day to view things objectively, it's easy to knee jerk.

I wouldn't be surprised if more people died falling off of ladders than died in mass shootings in any given year.

[Hubert Cumberdale]

No, I wouldn't think about banning cars because it's a daft suggestion. Much like banning guns in the US would be.

[Rufus Gwertigan]

There are 300 million people in the USA. How many people died in mass shootings this year? 100? 200?

You could argue that 1 is too many, particularly children. And as I said - today is obviously a very sad day, and not really a day to view things objectively, it's easy to knee jerk.

I wouldn't be surprised if more people died falling off of ladders than died in mass shootings in any given year.

[TheGayTent]

You've missed(/ignored) the main bulk of my argument. Feel free to read back, if you want a conversation.

[Ed209]

Just terrible. If anything would instigate change, this would be it. But they will never change

[t8yman]

I am openly shocked ny that comment. Seriously mate. I know a squaddie is only just in the Top 10 dangerous jobs. To say a little 5 year old getting their head blown off is an occupational risk is fucking shit

[t8yman]

http://m.youtube.com/?reload=3&rdm=mbpn8t7bn#/watch?v=PezlFNTGWv4&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DPezlFNTGWv4&gl=GB

[Rufus Gwertigan]

I ignored it because it doesn't make any sense.

You think individuals that look to kill people just give up when they realise guns are illegal?

[Rufus Gwertigan]

Yes it is, which is why I never said that, nor would I. Put some perspective on it. And calm down fella. Guns don't kill people. People do.

[Hubert Cumberdale]

I ignored it because it doesn't make any sense.

You think individuals that look to kill people just give up when they realise guns are illegal?

[TheGayTent]

How many people die in a stabbing, especially compared to a shooting. How would NOT having a gun effect your life Fuck all

[Hubert Cumberdale]

http://m.youtube.com/?reload=3&rdm=mbpn8t7bn#/watch?v=PezlFNTGWv4&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DPezlFNTGWv4&gl=GB

[Hubert Cumberdale]

Clearly it wouldn't effect you. Which, presumably why you hold your opinion. It would effect everybody that legally own a firearm.

[TheGayTent]

In what way? (again, not trying to get a rise, just genuinely curious how it would affect owners of firearms [unless it was used for hunting/farming purposes])

[lharris92]

the problem in the US is that guns are too freely available. however this is obviously because its in the constitution. the hardline conservatives make it next to impossible to change the mighty constitution which means this will continue until people stand up to them.

however saying that in this case (and probably others) the people who commit the crimes act in the heat of the moment.

just putting the 2nd amendment in here to really sum it all up

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.

[TheGayTent]

How many people have managed to murder 20+ people with a knife ?

Your response is a bit thick to be frank.

Anyway its not about banning, the sensible debate is about control.

[Hubert Cumberdale]

It would effect them in that they would no longer be able to legally own them, let alone shoot them.

[t8yman]

So is it just that you (assuming you are a gun owner) feel that you should be able to have one and go out back and do target practice or is there more to it?

What I'm trying to uncover here is why are people (particularly in the US, though not exclusively) still fascinated by gun ownership? Is it a psychological thing? Is it that without one, one would not feel safe at night?

Perhaps it's that I'm not a gun owner and (zombie apocolypse scenario aside) never will be, but I just don't get it and I'm yet to find someone who explains it deeper that just 'it's our right so we are exercising it' - which just seems like a non-argument.

[eFestivals]

Of the 12 biggest massacres in US history, 6 of them have happened in the last 5 years.

Time to step up to the plate Mr President.

Like, right now.

yet at the same time, from what I've heard reported this morning, gun ownership is the lowest it's been for 40 years, as is gun crime.

[feral chile]

So it's ok to stab 1 or 2 to death but not shoot 1 or 2?

Your response is a bit thick to be frank.

Anyway, I agree it's about control not banning.

[Guest]

Edited December 15, 2012 by tonyblair

[eFestivals]

Self defence

From intruders, the government, wild animals, and nut jobs with guns.

and yet the reality pans out as being the nutjobs with guns are the people who have them legally. So it is a self-confirming thing.

If you take the guns out of the equation it's still a self-confirming thing - but with many fewer deaths.

But hey, who cares about others in the country dying? As long as I have the means to defend myself I don't care about the cost in other people's lives.

[Guest]

You need a gun to defend yourself against someone who has a gun.... ??

I think there's a flaw there

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="tonyblair" data-cid="3884243" data-time="1355565620"><p>

You need a gun to defend yourself against someone who has a gun.... ??<br />

I think there's a flaw there</p></blockquote> it works perfectly. You get a gun to defend yourself against someone that has a gun, I get a gun to defend myself against you, someone else gets a gun to defend themselves against me....