Children killed in Connecticut school shooting (likely 27 dead,including 18 children)

Engine · 12-14-2012, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

I don't have a strong position on the subject to be honest. I'm mostly just in favor of it being discussed rationally. I do feel, though, that the pro-gun crowd has a tendency to (a) overestimate how easy it is for isolated, socially awkward individuals (like the guy in this case) to buy illegal firearms and (b) ignore how guns end up on the streets in the first place.

I'm pro-gun, and I can offer a rational answer to your question, I think.

a) The pro-gun crowd doesn't feel that it's the responsibility of gun producers and distributors to regulate how their product is used after purchase. Much like the automobile industry or the tobacco industry. And I agree with this. I personally am not a gun-nut so I don't care if the government imposes higher levels of restrictions to producers, sellers, or buyers. It wasn't too long ago that seatbelts in cars was a hot issue. I personally know some elderly people who still hate wearing seatbelts and won't acknowledge their necessity. Those geezers are obviously wrong.

b) I disagree with you here and not specifically in the interest of pro-gun people. I think that legal gun dealers totally understand that guns get distributed illegally but don't feel that it's their responsibility to police such things any more than a pharmacist is responsible for prescription drug black market. They do their job.

Imagine an pharmacist thinking "okay I followed the law but I hope that the guy with a script for oxycontin goes and sells it to school children" while smiling evilly. That probably doesn't happen much if ever. Same for legal gun dealers.

**Janszoon** · 12-14-2012, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Engine

I'm pro-gun, and I can offer a rational answer to your question, I think...

What question are you answering here? I don't think I actually asked one.

Engine · 12-14-2012, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

What question are you answering here? I don't think I actually asked one.

You didn't. I apologize for saying that you asked a question

I only meant to address the 'a' and 'b' parts of your statement

**Janszoon** · 12-14-2012, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Engine

You didn't. I apologize for saying that you asked a question

I only meant to address the 'a' and 'b' parts of your statement

Ah, in that case I'm sorry to say I don't think you really responded to my statements either. I was mostly addressing the "if guns are illegal only criminals will have guns" argument that comes up so much in gun control conversations. Point A was simply that, despite what many seem to think, it is actually a lot harder for an unhinged guy like the shooter in this case to get a hold of a street gun than a legal one. Point B was a commentary about street guns' origins as legally purchased firearms.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Engine

I don't think he implied that guns are okay in the middle of nowhere but not okay in big cities. It's a matter of civil liberties and personal choices. Those things apply in downtown Philly and nowhere Alaska.

Who is "he"? Freebase? Yeah, he didn't say either of those things. I was the one saying them.