Guns

[curmugeon]

I find it amazing how many 'gun nuts' there are out there who have to have more guns. I've found in they go nuts when I suggest that the United States follow the example of Australia with a buy back and the making possession, sale, or importation of semiautomatic weapons a felony.

What we need is a strict system of background checks, training, and licensing of gun users. Hey, if it is good enough for drivers, why not gun owners?  The procedure would include a comprehensive background check, the ability of law enforcement to access medical records related to mental health including any psychotropic meds you might take, a lot of classroom time to be taught gun safety and law, some range time to teach proper handling and marksmanship.

Hey, in California right now we have to take a hunter safety course to get a hunting license. In California you cannot purchase a magazine that holds more than 10 rounds. We still have 'gun shows' where you can still find all the illegal stuff (or at least find the dealers who will sell it to you under the counter), but this needs to be stopped.

Some people were saying that an AR-15 is a safe weapon because it requires one pull of the trigger per shot... I know better... the only difference between an AR-15 and an M-16 is the selector pin and they used to be available on the black market. I remember a shooting trip to the desert where we shot 30 round magazines of .223 in less that 15 seconds. And that was back in 1967! Even back then people had to have the biggest and baddest.... 

No, we need to start somewhere....we can also review the criminal statutes, and make it life for using a gun in any crime. Don't give them the death penalty, life... plenty of time to think.. and if their crime involved killing a kid, they will find that justice behind bars isn't too forgiving.
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Comments

[insanezanne.livejournal.com]

I am in total agreement. I just now opened my Facebook page and the posts in my news feed just made me sick. SO many people talking about going out and buying more guns while they still can before laws change! I am further disgusted by these comments because the largest part of them come from my own relatives and people I consider my closest friends. "How have I ended up associated with these people," I asked myself? "Why am I not with like-minded people?" I live in Texas. I grew up around guns. My mother taught my brothers and me how to shoot. Guns were common Christmas presents. My step-father owned the guns that had belonged to his father. My brothers inherited my stepfather's guns. My brothers have taught their sons to shoot. It's a CULTURE here. When these gun enthusiasts hear us talking about gun control, they feel threatened, not only because of the possible loss of their possessions but because it seems to be a personal attack upon their entire way of life. I love my son, my brothers, and my nephews, but I am ashamed of their lack of insight, lack of reason, and inability or unwillingness to progress toward a more enlightened desire for the greater good of all humanity.

[cathy-edgett.livejournal.com]

I am astonished by the statement by the NRA today. I do not understand.

[n6vfp.livejournal.com]

I own guns, I have a couple of shotguns and a 22 rifle. I also have a handgun, a Smith and Wesson 9mm semi-automatic.. it was purchased long ago and came with a 15 round magazine, I own another 10 round magazine... they are stored under lock and key. I'm thinking about getting rid of the handgun, never liked it and yes, they are more prone to accidental discharge. I once belonged to the NRA, but as they became belligerent when it came to politics, I didn't renew. I think there needs to be more training, skills testing, and regulation for gun ownership. No, we need to change gun culture, it isn't going to go away, but there is a need for more common sense.