Are you pro life?

[Jersey Girl]

We need to get rid of guns.

That's not going to happen.

[Sledge]

American exceptionalism is a disgusting imperialist Anglo myth. At least that’s what the academics are telling us now.

Who said anything about exceptionalism? Other countries have already done it. We just need to catch up.

[Sledge]

That's not going to happen.

So we should give up?

HELL NO!

[Jersey Girl]

That's not going to happen.

So we should give up?

HELL NO!

Give up on what?

[Sledge]

Give up on what?

The quest to ban guns in the US.

[Jersey Girl]

Give up on what?

The quest to ban guns in the US.

Okay, I'll bite. Do you propose that the US ban all guns and if so, how you gonna get them from gun owners?

[Chap]

Nope. There are plenty ways to be safe and to protect oneself without carrying a dangerous death machine.

That ^^^^. And we've talked about self safety measures at length on the old board. with regard to to the breaking and entry. Get a house security system, for starters. Speaking only for myself, if I were to try to shoot a 200 lb. male intruder in my home, the guy could get over on me in 2 seconds flat and dick me away with my own gun unless I were firing from inside a closet through a slight opening in the door. All things considered, in that scenario I'm plenty sure that I would end up being the victim of my own efforts.

There is a lot of sense in that.

Even soldiers in their first battle often fail to get round to firing their gun at the enemy - something that officers and NCOs are trained to look out for and remedy. The chances of a person without military or police training getting out their gun and firing with lethal intent (in the short decision time available) at a strange person suddenly encountered in their home may not be as large as the 'get a gun and be safe' people would like us to imagine.

[Xenophon]

Those solutions would be vastly more effective at reducing homicides. Which should be the target, not simply banning guns for the sake of banning guns.

People with houses, stable jobs, stable families, are vastly less likely to shoot people. A universal basic income would be a great start.

Honestly you and I are probably much closer on our methods for tackling gun deaths than Sledge and I. I'm in full agreement that you couldn't possibly ban all guns tomorrow and 1) have the necessary adoption among the general population to be successful 2) dramatically reduce crime or violence without mitigating other factors.

My comment was more generally about how some choose to ignore common sense gun reform while pointing at other contributing factors to gun violence but then also do nothing to improve to those other factors.

You start with convincing voters to agree to common sense gun laws like background checks, mental health screenings, waiting periods, etc.

I'm sure you already are aware but it is worth pointing out that poll after poll shows voters already overwhelmingly support many of the laws you list, especially universal background checks. It is a very powerful lobbying group and a small set of politicians that bar the way. It is on us to hold lawmakers accountable for the inaction on the topic.

[Chap]

I'm sure you already are aware but it is worth pointing out that poll after poll shows voters already overwhelmingly support many of the laws you list, especially universal background checks. It is a very powerful lobbying group and a small set of politicians that bar the way. It is on us to hold lawmakers accountable for the inaction on the topic.

There must be some good reason for thinking that crazy people should be allowed to buy a gun without the seller troubling to find out anything about them. Otherwise why would people oppose background checks?

But I really can't think what those reasons might be. Apart from the fact that advocating against such checks help politicians get cash from pressure groups and gun merchants, I suppose.

[Atlanticmike]

That ^^^^. And we've talked about self safety measures at length on the old board. with regard to to the breaking and entry. Get a house security system, for starters. Speaking only for myself, if I were to try to shoot a 200 lb. male intruder in my home, the guy could get over on me in 2 seconds flat and dick me away with my own gun unless I were firing from inside a closet through a slight opening in the door. All things considered, in that scenario I'm plenty sure that I would end up being the victim of my own efforts.

There is a lot of sense in that.

Even soldiers in their first battle often fail to get round to firing their gun at the enemy - something that officers and NCOs are trained to look out for and remedy. The chances of a person without military or police training getting out their gun and firing with lethal intent (in the short decision time available) at a strange person suddenly encountered in their home may not be as large as the 'get a gun and be safe' people would like us to imagine.

Not even close. Maybe you wouldn't defend your family but most people I know would. My kids would have no problem shooting an intruder and I'm proud I've taught them how to defend against evil.

11 year old boy shoots intruder. MY HERO
https://youtu.be/G7OshCHsfJI

12 year old girl shoots intruder
https://youtu.be/n0f9lNpXwJc

Grandma shoots intruder
https://youtu.be/X1sBYhft0vE

Grandma to intruder, you're dead SOB!!
https://youtu.be/uw7qCz5aiNc

Pistol packing Grandma shoots at intruder
https://youtu.be/nOgpkMyqNWE

I have 1000s of theses videos, how many more do you need ?