Reshared post from +Dorian Trent
Some great words from one of my friends:
I have refrained from posting on the CT shooting to allow some of the facts to come out and to let emotion not get in the way. Here are some common sense solutions to the issue.
1) Get rid of "gun-free zones". They do no good and only stop those teachers who are allowed to carry concealed from doing so. In the last 50 years, every mass shooting with more than 3 casualties has occured in one of these areas.
2) Connect the FBI NICS databse (who have all the background checks) to mental health facilities. This would stop people who are already banned from purchasing firearms because their information would actually be uploaded.
3) Stop blaming inanimate objects as though they had thoughts and free-will. A gun on the table at many of my friends' houses (even if it was as "evil" a gun as you can imagine) will do absolutely no harm. That is because they know not to touch them. Education solves most issues.
4) Deal with the mental health crisis we have in this country. Crazy people should be treated as such and not by relabeling them with PC terminology. I don't care what you call them, get them diagnosed and treated.
But above all else, realize that the Supreme Court of the USA (SCOTUS) has ruled that there is an individual right to own firearms that is enshrined in the Constitution. It has also ruled that "reasonable restrictions" to be incredibly constrained as to how you can restrict firearm ownership. That is settled law. To change this you would need a Constitutional Amendment, something not likely to happen any time soon.
h/t: +Abe Minorbother
nods
No commentary required
…but that doesn't stop some of us.
I agree with much of this, but nothing will stop a determined person from getting a gun. And without much trouble, more than likely, for most kinds of weapons. It is this illegal trade that is the most trouble for society, IMHO.
I've read a number of posts advocating for relaxed carry laws, with the notion that armed amateurs are going to be a deterrent to mayhem like we saw this weekend. My concern is more that armed amateurs are going to start shooting at inappropriate times, and more people are going to get killed or maimed than otherwise.
But hey, what do I know?
"Armed Amateurs" stop a surprising amount of crime everyday in this country that goes largely unreported.
Yes, +Guinness Beaumont , because there is such a wealth of data about concealed carry, it having been the law in numerous states for a long time now…. /s
And yes, you can be blunt. Is it necessary? Not unless you want to be a jerk. But by all means….
Why not be blunt? Sugar coatings just make people fat.
+James Feragola Then how do you know about it? Do they call you?
Seriously, that's specious. At least +Guinness Beaumont – the bluntmeister – claims to have some data. Doesn't produce it, but at least he claims it.
+Ryan Kramb Excess makes people fat. Sugar coatings don't kill people, people eating lots of sugar kill people.
Not reported by the press. They don't care about people who stop crimes successfully with legal firearms. There were several within the past few days that you probably don't even know about.
😉
http://redflagnews.com/headlines/developing-armed-off-duty-cop-prevents-mass-shooting-in-san-antonio
Got the link for ya.
Also got it from a friend earlier today.
+Ryan Kramb Well, thank you, although that proves nothing to me. The shooter was neither deterred by the presence of people with concealed guns, nor dispatched by an armed amateur. He was shot by an off-duty deputy working security.
Look, I don't mind at all if I'm proven wrong – but I'm not yet.
You say that trolling for an argument.
I'm argued out for the day. I will now switch to drinking and polishing my gun.
If you know what I mean.
+Ryan Kramb LOL – I prefer to take you literally, if that's ok! Have a good night!
I always do, I know what I like.