Re: Oregon incident.
 

The NRA has been quite smart about the whole thing -- make guns a wedge issue for a vociferous minority, and that's all that is needed to move things toward the right. The gun opponents are not nearly determined.

Re: Oregon incident.
 

Obama needs to stand up and set an example.

Re: Oregon incident.
 

How? By handing over his guns?

Re: Oregon incident.
 

Likelihood Wayne LaPierre gets grilled in front of Congress like Cecile Richards? 0

Re: Oregon incident.
 

Isn't that what he wants everybody to do?

Re: Oregon incident.
 

Does he even have any guns to had over? Oh and no that's not what he wants everyone to do.

Re: Oregon incident.
 

The way I see it is the only way to effect any real change in gun control is either:

a) Get money out of politics, including lobbyists and political donations from corporations
b) Making the manufacturing and sale of guns and ammunition no longer profitable.

After that Congress would no longer be beholden to the will of the NRA (which is essentially the political mouthpiece of the gun manufacturers) and could then actually enact some legislation.

All the talk of the 2nd Amendment is just a trope to keep the proles in line. The government doesn't really give a shit about the sanctity of the Constitution. The way the Patriot Act pissed all over the 4th Amendment proves that.

Re: Oregon incident.
 

It's not that simple.

First, Heller would have to be overturned. That will take awhile, as a conservative on the Supreme Court would have to be replaced by a moderate or liberal in order to get a 5-4 vote.

Then, Congress would have to pass a law, one that the current Congress would not pass and a Republican president would veto.

Then, the feds would have to be willing to send troops into states that refuse to comply with the law, i.e. pretty much the entirety of the South and parts of the Midwest.

And you can bet that there would be some violence. This would be like ending Jim Crow but on steroids. It wouldn't quite be a civil war, but it wouldn't be pretty.

At the end of the day, the gun control/safety movement needs to figure out a way to appeal to the masses and/or shame the rabid minority if they want something to stick. (The latter is what the Aussies did after their last massacre.) US federalism makes it much harder to create change when there is a well-organized minority that is determined to prevent it.

Re: Oregon incident.
 

:nod:

Re: Oregon incident.
 

and then I get reported for harassment for politely pointing out that while they may not agree with my liberal suggestions at least I'm making some and not just bleating about the second amendment and the government trying to steal my guns

Re: Oregon incident.
 

Good analysis that suggests that nothing will be done until the next really egregious massacre. This endless debate about gun control reminds me of the Groundhog Day movie. Both sides use it as a wedge issue to whip up their adherents and raise money. My NRA membership lapsed years ago, but I predict I will get a fundraiser appeal from them shortly. No organization's membership list is ever purged. The Brady Bunch can expect theirs by Monday.

Re: Oregon incident.
 

He is surrounded by guns.

Re: Oregon incident.
 

Not only is the Oregon sheriff an "oath keeper" but he thinks Sandy Hook was staged with actors.

Oregon Sheriff Handling School Massacre Shared a Sandy Hook Conspiracy Video | Mother Jones

Re: Oregon incident.
 

No one reports anyone here for harassment - the code of Omerta (not squealing to the moderator) is as important to us as it is with the mob or in a jail setting. We all get harassed here, especially we far-right wingnuts with the tinfoil helmets. Gotta develop a tough hide, BubbleChog.

So it's OK to bleat on about those who are bleating on about the 2nd Amendment and making paranoid suggestions about the government stealing their guns. It's what makes being a BE thread contributor a truly fun and enriching experience.

Re: Oregon incident.
 

No doubt part of the reason he got elected sheriff. In that part of Oregon he would fit right in. Bleeding heart liberals are a minority in some parts of the State.