GUNS DON'T KILL PEOPLE, OR DO THEY?

[username]

Trains and other automobiles do have operators, licensed in using those machines. I think a kid playing on the train tracks and getting run over, despite personnel that work in the trainyard designed specifically to keep that from happening, is very analogous to a kid that's trying to pull a gun on cops and gets shot. However, there's another thread dedicated to that discussion.

For the more on-point thread topic of gun control... USA was pretty much founded on the fact that just about anyone should be allowed to own a gun. If you put the power of "gun control" in the hands of those that gun ownership is designed against, then you negate the point. An armed populace is a country that has the power to rebel.

Now, personally, i don't want psychopaths with paranoid delusions walking around packing... but with the way society treats "mental health," I'd say 75% of the country could be diagnosed with ADD, Anxiety, antisocial PD, or any other myriad of "mental problems." My point stands that statistically more people die from automobiles than guns every year. People that think guns are the problem are delusional. There's VIOLENT people in the world. You can go to a gas station and have enough explosive material to kill anyone you want for like 10 bucks. You can't solve violence by taking away weapons. I don't see MADD lobbying for prohibition and the repeal of automobiles.

I didn't read your post upthread to be comparing train conductors and automobile drivers to police officers. I read it that you were comparing children being responsible for their own unfortunate deaths when playing on train tracks, riding motorcycles without helmets, and taking drugs to kids with fake guns being shot by police officers. But, the only one of those means by which children sometimes die that is certainly dependent on the judgment and decision-making of someone other than the child is the police-officer shooting.

In any case, MADD was key to the lowering of the legal BAL driving limit from 1.0 to .08 or lower across all 50 states, along with the implementation of much harsher penalties for DUI offenses nationwide. The number of automobile deaths attributed to such irresponsible drivers has decreased dramatically as a result of those measures. You're right; MADD doesn't push for a ban on all vehicles -- it pushes for reduced vehicle-related deaths and more accountability for irresponsible and unqualified users, the same goals as many gun control advocates are pursuing.

The DUI driving laws/regulations and repercussions for violating them could be legitimately looked at as "vehicle control" law/regulation, analogous to existing and proposed "gun control" laws/regulations. I agree. The laws and regulations in both cases center around the goal of keeping irresponsible users and those with poor judgment from harming others with the potentially deadly object. Those "control" measures are a good thing.

You can't legally drive a vehicle in this country without a license obtained by demonstrating knowledge of the road laws and ability to safely operate the vehicle, along with having secured liability insurance. Your driver's license is readily accessible to any police officer when you're stopped or questioned. Since you're comparing vehicles to firearms, would you then agree that a gun qualifications license (and possibly insurance) -- quickly and easily verified in a database by any law enforcement officer -- should also be required for all firearms owners across the country, Cutz?

How about the toddlers who get a hold of loaded guns in their homes and shoot themselves or others every week in this country. Do you think that little ones are just stupid and disobedient in those cases and that's that? Or, do you believe that adults should be responsible and required to safely store their guns and/or be prosecuted for negligence when small children are afforded access to firearms, Cutz?

Legally "responsible" and "mentally sound" people with no previous record of violence, crime or mental illness kill others with guns frequently. Heat of the moment. Unfounded or delusional anxiety/fear. Murderous/criminal intent. A running vehicle as a weapon in such instances is not nearly as feasible or common as a loaded gun.

Anyway, while I agree that there's no full solution and there will always be wrongful and accidental shooting deaths, I do believe that we should at least try harder to keep guns outta the hands of those identified as high risk when armed, for their own safety and the safety of others. That means better enforcement of existing gun laws and regulations. I have no objection to also considering new gun control measures that could result in fewer gun-related deaths. I consider those who flat out object to any such consideration, for any reason, to be limited in perspective.

You can try to hide it in as many words as you want but I see your plagiarism, Jenny. DUI laws, licenses, insurance, automobile/vehicle control laws...

867-5309.



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