Should guns be available to anyone with the money to buy it? If so, should all kinds be available? Would it be acceptable for a shopkeeper to racially profile a customer, then decide not to sell a gun to them? Would it be safer if everyone in a community [i]had[/i] a gun, or [i]didn't [/i] have a gun? How do you feel about children and teens being taught how to properly use one? And finally, does lack of a gun license(?) prevent dangerous people from obtaining a gun?
My views:
[spoiler]
Personally, I think everyone should keep all their gun rights, except previously convicted rapists, murderer, and robbers [i]who plea guilty in court[/i], as well as the severely mentally disabled.
Children should also be taught by their parents how and when to use guns, along with safety precautions and discipline. Yes, there is the possibility that unattended, the kid could shoot his or herself in the face. 1) this happens most often if they hadn't been taught how to handle one, and 2) it's called natural selection. Not that the kid or parents could ever do something to deserve that, buuut come on.
When a kid becomes 13-14, they should only be reminded of the uses and safety precautions of gun use, as this begins the most hormonal phase of their life.
I think racial (and other forms of) profiling should be [i]somewhat[/i] allowed. If some scary looking dude comes in asking for a gun, or if someone comes in looking very angry, the shopkeeper should have the right to send the person back to the gun licensing bureau (?) for verification that it's ok to sell him a gun, maybe 3 times max if each time is fine.
A bad community would remain a bad community if all guns were banned. It just would. If someone wants to be violent, they don't need a gun to do it. I'm not very sure if guns would turn a good community into a bad one, but I doubt it. I would rather put guns into the hands of people so they can protect themselves, than to leave the vulnerable to criminals who get their hands on firearms through the black market.
I'd only be ok with the banning of guns under one condition: The police give up their guns, and no more money is spent on military purposes. All registered guns get taken and dismantled then melted down, no exceptions. If the common person can't have guns, then there's no reason for authorities to need them.
However, that would leave us vulnerable to attacks from other nations. On an international scale, it's better to arm yourself for the worst. And it's also better on the individual scale.
[/spoiler][spoiler]Backstory: pretty normal, 19 years old and have never seen a real gun. I've been pretty lucky, not getting robbed or -blam!- by some asshole, because I have no form of self defense other than pretending I have somewhere important to be, and sometimes a knife I don't know how to use. Honestly I hate guns, but wish I was raised a bit differently so I could be a bit more prepared if something were to happen.[/spoiler]
Say however much you want, I honestly want to see everyone's opinions on this. Sorry if I offended anyone with my views, I'm sure everyone has their reasons for their beliefs. This is the first time I've posted something like this, so pls be gentle (~_^)
Edit: Yay, 2 days and over 100 [i]well thought[/i] comments! (That's a record for me) We even have a troll..
Edit 2: More of my opinion...
[spoiler]
A lot of people have been making the point that most criminals get their weapons by stealing them from someone. [i]So,[/i] what if we made it mandatory to report a stolen firearm as soon as you find out, basically treating it like you witnessed a murder. After all, that's what is most likely to happen =/
[/spoiler]
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People argue that if someone didn't have a gun on them, they could not fight for themselves. Someone gave an example when a man tried to shoot up a business and a guy had a pistol and shot him. Now I know getting guns around isn't that hard, but if we really took gun control seriously I don't think that gun would be obtainable in the first place, anyone psychotic or angry enough to buy/ obtain a gun shouldn't have one in the first place. I don't want to have my kids/people in general walk around where carrying a loaded assault rifle around openly is okay. It's just wrong. And if guns were really that obtainable and easy to carry around, half the people on the street could just be carrying loaded guns into churches, grocery stores, banks, and though I'm sure there would be restrictions no one would give a damn until it was raised and already pointed at the cashier.
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Equality for guns!
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The amount of people putting false statistics behind their personal options is scary.
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if it were down to me, these would be the steps you need to own a gun; 1. you must be at least 21. we don't want kids with guns when they are irresponsible. 2. you have to take a MANDATORY safety and training course to learn how to use the three main gun types; Pistol, Rifle and Shotgun. failure to do so is illegal and you cannot be given a licence or gun. if you fail the training course, you may retake it, but you are still not allowed to own a gun until you have taken the course and completed it. 3. ALL gun owners must visit a Psychotherapist every 3 months for a MANDATORY appointment to analyse their mental health. if the psychologist believes you're fine and healthy, you may continue to keep your licence with no problems. if they decide that you are unstable, your guns are taken away and locked in a Police Safe until you pass your next Psychological evaluation. this helps keep unhinged people away from guns. but then, there is the elephant in the room; the criminally minded who would still go outside of these laws. these individuals are to blame for crimes, not the guns themselves. if it can be proven that a person is fully trained and aware of how to use a gun, knows when to use it appropriately (Home/personal defense etc.), and is classified as being clinically sane with no mental conditions, there is no reason why they shouldn't be allowed to own a gun.
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I think guns aren't shit when I have my demon army ready to attack the heavens and earth
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Just look @ murder rates in countries without legal guns! 1/10th of USA need I say more?
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I think we'd be much better off if people willingly elected not to own guns. But that won't happen.
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Check for prison records. Check if they are mentally unstable. If either, do not sell gun
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They can take my guns when I can be guaranteed that there will never be a crime involving a gun ever again
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I wish no one had guns but sadly the state and some individuals have them
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The recreational ones? Yes. Semi automatics? Show some paper work and you can keep it/buy it. Fully automatic? No. You only get one of these for one reason.
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Take no one's rifhts away it's fine how it is right now. But we should make security checks a little more difficult to pass but not much to hinder most people from getting one.
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Merica[quote][/quote]
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They should be licenced, controlled, and available only for sporting purposes. When not in use kept in safes and heavy penalties for their misuse. It has worked to drastically reduce the number of homicides and violent crimes in all countries where nationalised firearms control was enacted. Firearms are NOT a necessity. If you're scared someone will take your gun away and that it will cause detriment to your life, you shouldnt be allowed one in the first place. This is coming from a licensed shooter.
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You can take my guns when you dig my dead body out of the pile of spent shell casings and pry them out of my cold dead hands
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I have a concealed carry permit for my state, Louisiana. I was raised around guns, and got a couple when I went off to college. I won't let anyone take my guns, because if you learn anything from living basically on the bayou, it's that you, and no one else, is responsible for your protection.
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I'll give up my guns when the State gives up theirs.
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What if we just get rid of guns and go back to swords, axes, and blunt objects
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Really? Children should be taught about guns.... Lmao that's a horrible idea
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I am licensed to carry weapons in my state. Concealed or open carry, loaded and ready.
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Guns are people too
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I think people should be able to buy all guns, but, they must manufacture their own ammo
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I know most people who own guns dont carry them around but everyone getting a gun seems kind of scary. I have known people who suddenly snapped and pulled out knives to kill people. That would be much scarier with guns. However i don't really have a problem with guns I just think the gun license process should be more vigorous
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I don't believe anyone needs guns.
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The commies better stay away from my guns
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I say that we keep the right to bear arms, but ensure that everybody who owns one is qualified and y'know, not a convicted murderer. Background checks, psychological evaluations, and proper training could all be precautions to prevent unnecessary death, in the form of both homicide and accidents.