10 Years After Columbine, Fear Sells Guns and America is Still Buying

education

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The Author Got One Thing Right

Though I don`t share his opinions I was glad to see the author has a basic understanding of the assualt rifle. To wit, that he uses the correct terminology in describing it as more destructive and NOT as more powerful. The assualt rifle was designed to fire more rounds than a regular rifle not more powerful ones. In fact, German combat engineers realized most fighting takes place at about 300 meters. So the assualt rifle was designed to fire a less powerful cartridge, of less weight giving the soldier the ability to carry more ammunition and be more prolific in using it for suppresive fire. It gives a minimum credit to his argument that sadly most anti-gunners lose coming right out of the gate.

Gun Show Issue

David from Michigan,

I read with interest your comment regarding our Second Amendment rights and respect your views. It seems most gun owners oppose any form of gun control legislation for fear it will ultimately lead to confiscation. I don’t know if Mr. Mauser favors confiscation. I think not. But we do know from his article that he wants to see the gun show “loophole” closed in every state by requiring background checks from unlicensed sellers at gun shows. You seem knowledgeable on constitutional rights and I wonder if you would comment on this specific issue.

Some years ago, a survey done by the U.S. Department of Justice with a large sampling of state and federal prison inmates who used firearms in the commission of their crimes, reported that just 1.7% of them accessed those firearms from flea markets and gun shows. That may seem like an insignificant number (I don't think it is) however; the same survey reported that almost 40% accessed firearms from illegal sources on the street or underground. Since it is impossible to trace the route those guns took to the street, doesn’t it seem likely that a significant number of those originated though easy access from unlicensed sellers at gun shows? I remember reading that the ATF agrees that it is likely. I think it is a significant source especially today when we have seen some of the most dangerous street gangs migrating from the metropolitan areas to almost every community in the United States. Illegal gun sales are a source of income for them.

Mr. Mauser wants to save lives and I totally support his position on the gun show loophole issue. I believe the privilege of the Second Amendment brings us a moral responsibility…to do whatever is reasonable that will prevent from happening again the kind of catastrophe that was handed to his 15-year-old son.

I hope that you will respond with your thoughts. My name is Greg and I live in Kaukauna, Wisconsin.

The real cliche - gun control

Tom Mauser says, "But excuses and clichés don't solve problems." He seems to forget that almost all European countries have gun control laws - thus making gun control a cliche in itself. And when it comes to gun control, Tom is right: clichés don't solve problems.

First off, we have a Constitutional right to own guns - any kind of gun, as well. Just see the Second Amendment for proof. Of course, some of you have heard that one before, and you gun lobbyists would love to say "It only applies to the Militia, and it only applies to a collective group of people." The Militia, as defined by the Militia Act of 1903, is any able-bodied man from 17 to 45 years of age. So, even if it were to apply only to the Militia, any man in that age range could own a gun. Also, the phrase "the people" appears in Amendments 1 and 4. So basically, if the phrase "The people" were to mean a collective group, that means that you would have no right to petition the government, assemble peacefully, or to live in your home without a fear of random search and seizure operations unless you were with another group of people - impossible because you would not have a right to assemble with other people. So, with that in mind, we all know that the phrase "the People" in the First and Fourth Amendments refers to an individual, so wouldn't that same concept apply to the Second Amendment, as well? Anyway, D.C. v. Heller affirmed that principle already.

Also, freedom of guns is pragmatic. Check this out - some statistics from the National Center for Policy Analysis:

- New Jersey's murder rate went up 46% and the robbery rate doubled from 1966-1968 after New Jersey, in 1966 passed what was deemed as "the nations most stringent gun law".

- 67% of the 15 states in America with the highest homicide rates have strict gun control laws.

- One out of 5 murders in the US occur in either Detroit, Washington, New York, and Chicago; and two of those cities currently ban or regulate handguns (Detroit ended regulation in 2001; Washington in 2008).

There's more; that is only scratching the surface. Tom says that "the voices of reason will continue to be overwhelmed by the voices of fear." However, the voices of fact are being overwhelmed by the voices of liberal propaganda, and the voices of fact say that gun control is bad.

Why that fact is true - "when you outlaw guns, the only people with guns will be outlaws." People think that outlaws can't get guns if they are regulated; however, this assumption is wrong. Ever heard of the black market? And at the one guy who mentioned the suicide of the 15-year-old: He would have found another way. If he was as mentally disturbed as you say, he would have found the dedication to kill himself another way. I would know, my cousin tried to commit suicide by flipping a car.

I'm running out of room here, so I'll stop. I hope you learned something from my rant - that gun control is bad.

Gun Control

Being a firm beleiver in that individuals have the right to bear firearms I have to say that the author does have one good point. Current gun laws make it too easy for bad people to get a hold of firearms. I have no problem walking into a gun show or store and completing a background check before being able to purchase a gun, and I think that a lot of other states should incorporate background checks into their current gun laws.

Do What's Right

The main point the author seems to make is that the gun show loophole and easy access to firearms creates a huge hazard exposure to the public. He is not “stupid” for taking the positions he has and lobbying to get the loophole closed because he’s right. And no one on this forum even wants to address this part of the debate. Just over 2 weeks ago here in the neighboring city, a 15-year-old son of a co-worker ended his life with a handgun. For sure, this poor kid had a major-duty psychological problem and some will say if he didn’t have the gun, he would have just found a different way to kill himself. Maybe not. Maybe if he didn’t have access to a gun that evening it would have bought precious time for someone to help him. But it’s too late for this kid.

The forefathers must have never dreamed the United States of America would have the levels of gun violence it has today especially with our young people. And if they were here now, I bet they wouldn’t allow a convicted felon or some other half-baked, wired screwball the “right” to completely access a gun from an unlicensed firearms dealer and cap some innocent person with it. “A preschooler could grasp that concept.”

All of the answers to reduce the violence may never be found but at least Mauser is looking for them. The pro-gun lobby and all of our lawmakers should be on his side with this one and get the loophole closed in every state. It’s the right thing to do and the consensus may even help strengthen some of the positions on your side of the overall gun control debate.

Intelligent thought is to gun control supporters as icebergs were to the Titanic

This debate is really not helped by the fact that intelligent thought is to gun control supporters as icebergs were to the Titanic. I firmly beleive that gun control means hitting your target. Look at Great Britain, private ownership of handguns is non-existent, and yet in the years since the banning of handguns, their murder rate has skyrocketed. It is pathetically obvious to me that people are far too capable of devising new and exciting methods of killing one another. Gun control and gun bans help no one except the bad guys. A preschooler could grasp that concept, it is escapes me why such a simple truth is beyond the intellectual capacities of gun controllers. What part of "SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED" are you too stupid to understand?

Intelligent thought is to gun control supporters as icebergs were to the Titanic

This debate is really not helped by the fact that intelligent thought is to gun control supporters as icebergs were to the Titanic. I firmly beleive that gun control means hitting your target. Look at Great Britain, private ownership of handguns is non-existent, and yet in the years since the banning of handguns, their murder rate has skyrocketed. It is pathetically obvious to me that people are far too capable of devising new and exciting methods of killing one another. Gun control and gun bans help no one except the bad guys. A preschooler could grasp that concept, it is escapes me why such a simple truth is beyond the intellectual capacities of gun controllers. What part of "SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED" are you too stupid to understand?

Close the Loophole

Besides losing 13 very special lives, all that Columbine seems to have done is unite one side of the gun control issue, unite the other, and jammed a wedge so far between the two that the issue of gun violence in America will never be solved. That is one sad legacy to leave these kids and their teacher. Requiring criminal background checks at gun shows is reasonable. In the State of Wisconsin, gun ownership is high and on any given weekend there will be a gun show within an hours drive. Several of my friends who are gun enthusiasts and own military styled assault firearms agree the gun show loophole is a problem. I bet the NRA does too. Their fear is if legislation closes the loophole, it is one step closer to confiscation. That is unreasonable. That will never happen. The Gun lobby and NRA are just too powerful. It’s almost laughable that I have to show I.D. when I buy a 12- pack of Bud Light at the convenience store (and I am in my 50’s) but a felon can walk into any gun show and buy an assault rifle and walk right out the door with a without showing any. Forget the Second Amendment for once and think about the safety of our kids. A kid shouldn’t lose his life in the school library reading a book at lunch hour. And if closing the loophole will stop just one more kid from losing his or hers, then close it. I can’t imagine any responsible gun owner especially a parent being opposed to that.

Gun Lobby

Our Forefathers Ran the Tyrants out of our country once before. After that, a document was drafted that was the blueprint of how the government was to (govern). That means they have guidelines to go by. We pass laws and change laws but if the government is allowed to bend the laws to fit their agenda, the only thing we have as a FREE Nation that keeps us free is The Right To Keep and Bear Arms. And if you go a little further it also states "Shall Not Be Infringed." I don't know about you, but I will not rely on my government, that takes my tax dollars and gives it to wall street crooks to defend me. What am I to do, call them on the phone and ask for the national gaurd after my safety and security has been taken away from by some home invaders? I think not. I'll just keep my guns. Enforce the laws we already have. Make our congressmen and women be accountable for what they are doing with our tax money. It is not theirs. And the Second Amendment is not theirs either. It belongs to the citizens of this Great Country.

Who do you think the gun lobby is comprised of. It's the American Citizens. Get a grip.