The Supreme Court's Gun Ruling This Week - Not A Debate

[Oblio13]

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That's what's known as a "police state".

 

[PurpleChicken]

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Thank you for respecting the "no debate" aspect of this thread. In hindsight maybe I
should have worded it "No arguing or attacking". Everyone's opinion is valid and welcome
here, whatever that may be. Discussing opposing views is totally acceptable.

I started this thread on sunday morning as I watched the various reports on CBS(my wife
likes the local news). Trying to get a handle on my own position I thought what a great
group BYC would be to discuss this with, knowing there are both liberal, conservative &
moderate views here. There is also a lot of wisdom and experience in this group.

I've loved reading every response here and have learned more in the last two days
reading this than the last several months listening to the arguing in the media.

 

[Royicus]

A few distinctions have been made that I find rather interesting.

Carrying at the store, at the park, and at a school. How are they different? Kids can be at all of them, but is one considered some kind of hallowed ground? I'm thankful that in the state of Oregon, if I'm carrying to the store and need to go to a school, I don't have to disarm. Threats can appear anywhere, including "gun free zones" where so many mass shootings seem to occur.

The term "Assault Weapon" has come up a few times as well. In this country, you can own many types of guns. Machine guns and short barreled rifles (SBRs) you must file federal paperwork to own. It is a few months worth of waiting and a few hundred dollars in fees, but if you do all this, that MP5 (full auto sub machine gun) or M4 (what our soldiers use overseas) can be yours.

I own a pistol for defense of myself, those I care about, and if the situation arises, the safety of total strangers.

I own a rifle because they are more effective then pistols.

Things that threaten us will more then likely be of the two legged variety, let's not kid ourselves. If I'm trying to defend something, why not equip myself with the tools that will allow me the greatest chance of victory?

So... I also own an AR15. It's a nice rifle, and if I'm fighting people, I'd much rather have that then my .45 handgun or a bolt action rifle. That bolt action in .30-06 would be really nice for hunting though! Nevermind that the .30-06 cartridge is a ton more powerful then my 5.56mm cartridge in my AR, and has much greater effective range.


And lastly, we don't have "good people." Military and police are exactly that, military and police. We are given arms to have the ability to overthrow the government (military and police included since they are part of the .gov), or have an armed rebellion if necessary. During Katrina, the police were illegally confiscating or stealing guns. Are those are the "good people" that are being talked about?

Our rights to own arms is fundamental. Our rights to own arms that are effective at fighting is also fundamental. Is it in the spirit of the constitution to restrict the arms the public will have to those that would not be capable in battle? Nowhere in the 2nd do they restrict what kind of weapons the people can have, and for good reason.

ETA: I too am having a good time reading this threat. Everyone's opinions are interesting, and I respect them all even if I don't agree with them.

 

[kstaven]

First of all I must say I have to applaud the members of this forum for keeping this thread so civil. It says something about the nature of most of the members here.

I stayed out of this thread to begin with due to the fact I am a moderator and it seems we are often viewed very differently on forums.

Now for my two cents. I personally agree with the right to own guns, but having said that, I must say, along with it goes a great deal of responsibility. Personally I believe no one should be able to purchase a gun without some form of training in handling, safety, maintenance, etc. Be it a gun club or other body, people without training in weapons are as much a danger to themselves and those they try to protect as those who may threaten them. There is far more to gun ownership than figuring out how to load it and pull the trigger.

Am I armed? You bet! Am I proficient in arms handling and care? Yes. Do I believe the 2nd ammendment is a fundament right. YES! Do I have issues with canadian laws? Oh YEAH!!!

As I have had the pleasure of living in and serving two countries in my life, I have to agree with elderoo and others that it is more of a duty to protect your country from internal or external threats than just a general right to own a gun. We all need to protect the right to protect ourselves from that which may threaten our rights and personal safety.

 

[Frozen Feathers]

Warning: Democrat/Liberal expressing Opinions...

I have no problem with rational, responsible people having guns, for whatever. I do believe in the 7 day wait. Not that criminals can't get a gun if they really want to, it just might save the average family from getting blown away because Dad found Mom with another man.

And really, any responsible, reasonable person is not going to mind waiting a week to get their weapon.

I'm a little weary of letting college students carry guns, and there is a difference between the military and a college student. The military trains their young men and women how to handle the weapon properly and safely. There are no safety classes if Jo-Smo wants to purchase a gun, they'll sell one to anyone who has the money.

And those are the people who scare the bejeezes out of me. Like my sister's family. Their guns are not locked in any manner, though she claims the bullets are. They are in access of her 3 small children and knowing my sister and BIL they haven't taught their kids a lick of sense on how to handle a weapon. My daughter does not visit their house with out me there to keep an eye on her.

We don't have guns in my house, not that I wouldn't mind having one, we just don't. Besides I'm not a very rational person sometimes and could see myself blowing my Dh away because he didn't take out the trash or something...of course I'm kidding!!!

Anyway, I'm not a hunter, not a member of the NRA or gun owner, but I do believe we have to right to bare arms, but must take the responsibility to educate ourselves and our children!!

 

[Oblio13]

 

[PurpleChicken]

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I'm glad you joined in Angie. There was nothing liberal or conservative in what you
wrote. It was all common sense. I have friends who legally own guns who I think
have no business owning them. Then I have friends who don't own guns but are
the kind of people who should own them.

Most gun groups, often painted as fanatics, promote gun safety more than even the
federal government does.

Democrats/Republicans/Liberals/Conservatives almost all have one thing in common.
We believe in the rights endowed on us by our Constitution. We sometimes just
interpret them differently.

 

[Reinbeau]

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I am always reminded, during gun rights/control discussions, of the inimitable Archie Bunker 'listening' to Gloria, who was bemoaning killings via handguns and how the owning of handguns should be illegal. Archie took the cigar out of his mouth, looked at her and asked (the Bronx accent doesn't come through in print) "Would it make you feel any better, little girl, if they was all pushed outta windows?"

 

[seedcorn]

Will anyone dare to look at America's history?

Weapons used to free America from France, Britain, and Mexico. Altho all 3 would look at it as stealing.

Used weapons to move native Americans because they didn't live the way we wanted to live. Native Americans only fought to keep what was theirs to begin with. We won w/better weapons...surely NO ONE wants to live that way now????

Dodge city and others out west were "tamed" when weapons were removed from towns (allowed in the country where they were needed for protection).

Those that want to carry weapons into schools, etc, why? At least now we can identify people that should and should not be carrying weapons. I for one don't want a bunch of trigger happy sudo John Wayne's trying to save the day when he or she feels like a gun is their only way to save the day.........

Bad guys will always be there doing bad things whether with guns, bombs, etc. For those that consider police, military "bad guys", consider that the next time you go outside and enjoy freedom, with blood given by these people.

I don't want guns outlawed but it's only reasonable to allow communities to decide what how they will live. If you don't like it, get involved and change the laws to how you like it or move to where every person is armed and loaded to kill.

 

[seedcorn]

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I do not want anyone in another area telling me how to live or not to live. But if I chose to live in an area that is mainly inhabited by gun control advocates, I live by local laws, move or change the laws.