exvj

My position all along is that I like guns and I want a gun, but I want to be thoroughly checked out and to know that anyone else who has a gun has been checked too.

I suspected that the majority of the American people were with me on this but nobody would think so reading the posts

Perhaps reading these numbers, I am the authentic one and in tune with American public opinion, while it's the others who are trolls ? Joking, nearly all contributors were sincere with their own sincere but different reasoning

anotherlimey

I thought you actually mentioned banning handguns, which most Americans don't favour.

I just don't want to see draconian laws or stupid ones like the NY concealed carry laws.

Steerpike

Well, I think you may have damaged your own argument, inadvertently. How many people were killed in LA during the "Rodney King" event? Answer (according to this site): 13. If the LA population had been fully armed, just how many shoot-outs do you think would have ensued, and how many more deaths do you think there would be? I don't care how many gang members get shot, but I'm 100% sure that a lot of law-abiding but gun-wielding citizens would have been killed in shoot-outs with gang members.

Folinskyinla

Hi:

You had bolded the following language from the post you responded to:
People, in this case, who will not suffer any restrictions on their gun use, even though it would save thousands of lives of their fellow Americans


In light of last year's Heller decision from the Supreme Court, I find your posting confusing.

Steerpike

Let's assume the survey is flawed - let's assume, instead of 20 times more likely, it's only 10 times more likely. Heck, let's assume it's only TWO times more likely - even then - that means, for every single incident where a gun is used to good advantage, there are two 'bad outcomes'. Still makes owning a gun for 'protection' seem a bad option to me!

exvj

Heck we are back to the subject of the thread - how did that happen ?

Yes the survey question was 'ban all guns from private owners'

I would vote no to that too - so it was posed in away that would support the NRA

Get rid of handguns - yes they are no good for serious and humane hunting and their only use is target and killing people

I then balance target shooters having to move to rifles or clays against the saving in human life including suicides on the spur of the moment, and I say no more handguns.

I have a blind spot for the 'self -defense' stuff as I differ from some posters in that I do not value the safety of my credit card above taking a human life (usually some badly brought up 15 year old wallet snatcher). Many Americans do, and that's a cultural difference so that's where we are at.

It's like trying to get a cat to kill a mouse straight out - they don't do that and they won't change

It's been a great learning

anotherlimey

That's because you're a lawyer....

anotherlimey

You can assume what you like, I could assume it was equally likely or less likely, but it wouldn't be provable.

Bill_S

I would argue that in reference to my own household, those numbers are meaningless. My household consists of me and my wife. There is no chance that either of us is going to use a firearm to hurt the other. There is likewise no chance that we will use any of our knives, saws, chisels, hammers, axes, fireplace tongs, garden shears, shovels, etc. to harm each other.

exvj

I live with a red haired half Irish / Cherokee and I am surprised every morning when I wake up alive !

anotherlimey

If you run out of potatoes, lock up the Tomahawk.

exvj

It's no joke - I was married to another red head for 14 years - no hair, just a red head

It's true what they say about 'em and it's a good job I am not outspoken or my tuft would be hanging on the shed and my dried bones would be used for predicting the future

Luckily she is a typical American in that she speaks so loudly she has deafened herself - so she can't hear most of my comments

I belong to the Prince Phillip school of diplomacy so survival is not assured

Folinskyinla

Hi:

I lived through those riots. BTW, read your link all the way through -- 38 died.

I know I went armed during those four days -- I had a baseball bat in the car.

Reginald Denny was not attacked with firearms by Damien Williams and friends. Although it is interesting to note that Mr. Williams was saved by Bobby Green, an unarmed former Green Beret -- when he saw the riots breaking out, he voluntarily drove to the riot area without firearms.

BTW, I recall an article in the LA Times about the reaction in the LAPD stations when they heard about the percipitating event of the riots -- they cheered. Not, "oh boy, the crap is about to hit the fan, we should prepare." Fine, be happy that your colleagues beat the rap, but they should read the motto on the side of their cars: "To Serve and Protect."

BTW, George Holliday is Canadian and I am informed that he did not have legal status at the time of the beating.

Folinskyinla

Hi:

OK. I had read your comment as suggesting that the bolded language ignored the Second Amendment.

I fail to see how my being a lawyer caused that misconception.

My apologies.

anotherlimey

You need to include more smiley faces so we know you have a sense of humour.