Quote:
Originally Posted by beachrr
I agree with you, but we need to see the hard truth. We are experiencing 12.000 intentional homicides every year, at a rate that is at par with Uzbekistan, higher than Belarus and Kosovo.
Our murder rate is 6 times higher than the average European country. Every year, there are 200.000 reported firearm injuries.
I'm not saying that is the fault of us having so much guns. there are a lot of factors that need to be taken into account.
What I do mean is that we need to be more responsible with guns. By 'we', I don't mean you specifically, who seems to be well trained and responsible in the use of firearms. By 'we', I mean the society.
I think that teaching kids to shoot in schools wouldn't be a bad thing. Those who have been taught by their parents will have an advantage. Those who didn't might learn some valuable lessons.
They teach basic firearm handling and maintenance in Russian schools. Every 14 y.o. can operate, maintain and shoot an AK - 47. I'd say that's a good thing.
I also think we need to be more strict about who is eligible to own guns. Guys like you with a stable home, a decent look on life shouldn't be barred from owning weapons. But the street thug with low hanging pants handling his firearm sideways should be.
In my opinion, we should have a kind of regulation that says: "Everybody can have all the guns they want, but screw up once and you lose that right".
So it's very simple. If you are a responsible American, keeping your firearms well maintained in the appropriate location, away from irresponsible use, I'd say: Go ahead, have all the guns you want. If you are a drunk, a drug addict, a criminal or a bad parent: you can not own guns.
I want gun registration. Not to know who has guns, but to be sure that those who can't, don't. I'm perfectly fine to have that registration done by another body than the government.
By the way: I'm not in any way a socialist. European liberals are our republicans, without the religion and the social conservatism. So call me a socially progressive but economically conservative. Free love, free to do whatever as long as it doesn't encroach on other's freedom, free entrepreneurship and no religion in political affairs.
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Our murder rate is higher, but our violent crime rate is lower. And lets be honest, most of the murder victims are gang-on-gang violence. It's not going to matter whether they are shot, beaten, stabbed, or run over by a car. And like I said our rate of negative firearms use, in total, is miniscule compared to the number of firearms in homes.
We've already had problems with registration leading to confiscation. Your not going to sell me on the "It won't happen here in the US" when it already has.
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