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ORIGINAL: tazzygirl

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The bigger problem goes way beyond this one shooting. Shootings that are no less troubling are a regular occurance in some areas of our country, committed by people who should never have gotten their hands on a gun, but did, thanks to a thriving black market in firepower. The obvious solution to the wider problem of guns in the wrong hands, and its consequences, is to make illegal possession and/or sale a major law enforcement target. That would requires resources, however, and our government seems to feel that it is more important to stop people from getting high than to stop them from killing each other.

This has nothing to do with a black market

This has nothing to do with gang bangers

This has to do with a mentally ill person getting his hands on guns legally obtained and owned by someone he knows, and allows him access too.

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ORIGINAL: Notsweet

Well, Mike, we're never going to be able to afford the weaponry that the gvernment courrently has. Thanks for pointing out my mistake here, which is that I neglected to say that I believe that was the intent of the Founders who wrote the Second Amendment.

That being said, no, we don't have warships and bombs, but (assuming that you know the difference between automatic, semi-automatic, single action, double action) the point is that we are supposed to be able to defend ourselves from the government. That was the entire point I was making in that sentence. Please don't get personal.

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ORIGINAL: Notsweet

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ORIGINAL: tazzygirl

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The bigger problem goes way beyond this one shooting. Shootings that are no less troubling are a regular occurance in some areas of our country, committed by people who should never have gotten their hands on a gun, but did, thanks to a thriving black market in firepower. The obvious solution to the wider problem of guns in the wrong hands, and its consequences, is to make illegal possession and/or sale a major law enforcement target. That would requires resources, however, and our government seems to feel that it is more important to stop people from getting high than to stop them from killing each other.

This has nothing to do with a black market

This has nothing to do with gang bangers

This has to do with a mentally ill person getting his hands on guns legally obtained and owned by someone he knows, and allows him access too.

I wish there was a "like" button. Tazzygirl, you are absolutely right. When are we going to start looking at the state of mental health care here??

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ORIGINAL: Notsweet

I think we're supposed to have the same weapons available to us as the government has, in case the government turns against us.

I'm not a Democrat, but I'll put it in these terms. Suppose Bush turned out to be the evil dictator some thought him to be? Suppose he started "rounding up" gay people, people on welfare, people who voted for John Kerry. How would you fight back?

If the next guy turns out to be Hitler, Pol Pot.....how are you going to fight back? It happens.

Another thought. Every single government building has cops at the door. The cops have guns. All the government buildings except.....schools. They have a big sign that says "There are no guns here. We have no one who can shoot back." Why is it important to guard the mayor's ass, but not the asses of 600 kids?

Honestly...how often do you hear about a trained law enforcement officer getting his gun taken from him? Not often.

We need to stop fighting about guns and start figuring out what in the hell we're going to do for the mentally ill.

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ORIGINAL: Notsweet

I see. I said personal, because your reply to me has the distinct sound of someone sneering in my face. OTOH, it's sometimes hard to tell if that is someone's intent. If not, I'm sorry for misconstruing your intent.

I'm afraid we are going to have to agree to disagree on the intent of the Founders. To me, it says that we the people have the right to bear arms in case we need to form a militia. Which we would have to do if there was a political power that decided to make a coup.

Although it may be true that it's been used by hysterics, well....it's true that bad people with bad intent take over governments.

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ORIGINAL: Moonhead

If we are getting the NRA excuses about why people need assault rifles, perhaps somebody could answer me this one: whatever for?
My understanding was that if you're hunting you need a shotgun or a bolt action rifle, and if you want a gun to keep in the house or the car (or on your person in a concealed carry state) for self defence, then a pistol is going to be good enough.
Why exactly do you need a submachine gun (let alone an assault rifle) unless you're planning a bank job or a spree killing?

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ORIGINAL: Notsweet


 When are we going to start looking at the state of mental health care here??

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ORIGINAL: Owner59

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ORIGINAL: Notsweet


 When are we going to start looking at the state of mental health care here??

When I read what you said about the Founders....... intending that citizens would waring with the US government...... that they just established .....I thought the same thing........ 

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ORIGINAL: stef

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ORIGINAL: lovmuffin

Actually I sort of can. The AR type rifle at the top I can't be sure because I can't see if there is a safety/selector switch on the other side.

You can see the "safe" and "fire" markings on the right side of the receiver. The rifle pictured is not an assault rifle.

BTW, it's Ruger, not Rugar. Bill Ruger may have been a dick, but he deserves to have his name spelled correctly ;)

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ORIGINAL: Notsweet

In reply to SlvMike:

I understand your point.

I disagree.

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ORIGINAL: Notsweet

Ok. I detect that I've stepped into a conversation that belonged to a specific group of friends. Since the conversation has veered from the OP, and the last few entries I've made were asking people to speak to me without being snarky or personal, it's obvious that I shouldn't be here. I try every once in awhile to join a conversation here, but it does seem that there are people who regularly talk to others with just a tone of "See how snarky I am? Look at me smack the stranger, isn't it funny??"

It's a shame, because it keeps people from coming together and creating solutions.
Good night :)