WOW… That is scary!!! I bet he probably snuck out
He was a churchgoer? How do we know that? I missed that.
I do not think he is churchgoer, he is agnostic
I read claims he was from a churchgoing family in the same places that claim other things.
The arguments I think, if I’m not mistaken are two fold. One is that you have a constitutional and historical right to own weapons (to enforce or protect liberty) and the second I think is the personal protection from thugs, as guns do level the playing field against stronger or more numerous attackers. In the first case, I don’t see how you can resolve that, and that can’t really be compatible with disarming (almost) everyone. In the second case, unless you’re Bruce Lee, being attacked by a group of angry “YOBs” in the handgun free UK (or anywhere else) is no fun, but if you have a weapon (plus some training) you can always (try to) defend yourself. Now one can’t legislate against said thugs (even in gun free environments) and one can’t really effectively police the smuggling in of guns from Mexico and elsewhere it seems. Guns which go to criminals, although one could also argue that those guns don’t always go to small time muggers but to organised crime which usually stays out of the way of the average citizen but to enforce their own internal rules.
I agree with much of your post that’s why I believe in sensible gun control laws, such as limits on the number of guns a person can buy in a given time and limits on assault weaponry.
How can you have no opinion on the ability of individuals to protect their families?
By saying “I have no opinion” I meant that I do not oppose gun ownership to protect oneself and their family.
But you are willing to limit the type of guns that people can have access to for protecting their families.
Yes, I am willing to support the government in preventing folks from owning greneade launchers and guarding their homes with machine guns. I also would support the government in preventing people from burying land mines in their yards to protect their families.
Maybe if these types of weapons are so terrible, there should be laws forbidding their manufacture completely. Why is it okay for agents of the government to have them who are protected from prosecution by the state in the event of misuse, but not okay for the law-abiding citizen?
Well, I guess I am a sheep and I own that. I do tend to trust our military and law enforcement services with this type of equipment more than Joe Schmo.
), construction, catering, piloting, and yes military.While I think your basic argument is valid, we need to draw the line somewhere. Most people don’t need a full auto machine gun or a grenade launcher. If they have a valid reason for them, sure let them have it without too much trouble, but don’t let just anyone have them. I would not feel comfortable having other people buying that kind of stuff at the local gun shop as easily as you can buy normal guns. I am all for 2nd amendment rights to the full extent, but I think we need to use common sense too.
I don’t always agree with Mayor Bloomberg of NYC, but on this issue I do. As he stated, it’s more a matter of strictly enforcing the gun-control laws we already have in place, such as the implementation of a national data base of criminals, than instituting new ones. However, there should also be laws against activities such as purchasing assault weapons and ammunition online. I believe people should be allowed to buy firearms to protect themselves in their homes and businesses, as well as for hunting, but there is no need to purchase weapons that are used only by police officers and meant for the express purpose of killing civilians and police. I think most mayors and police commissioners of cities and towns across America agree with this. Safety is one of those issues in which federal, state, and local government must play an essential role, rather than ceding power to lobbyists such as the NRA. Neither Obama nor Romney is even talking about the issue of gun control, although Romney did favor reasonable regulation when he was Governor of MA.
The shooter was wearing a helmet, a bullet proof vest and other body armor.