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

I just wanted to comment on the last poster's article. You said "I believe the privilege of the Second Amendment....." The Second Amendment is a right, not a privilege and should be considered as such.

Dustin Mann of OH 12:06PM April 04, 2010

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.

Tim Mc Hugh of TX 10:18AM September 04, 2009

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.

David of MI 4:01PM June 26, 2009

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.

gpc of WI 8:42PM May 20, 2009