Gun Control (NIU)

[AbeBeta]

In the wake of the tragedy at NIU and reports that Steven Kazmierczak purchased all of his guns legally and without difficulty, I'd love to hear what folks have to say about gun control.

[theogt]

Not a very sound argument in my opinion. Someone as deranged as this, with a desire to kill people, could obtain the means to mass murder whether guns are legal or not.

[Aikbach]

A depraved man who abused his freedoms, he could've used a number of objects as a murder weapon, guns were his weapon of choice.

Human beings are murderers and not inanimate objects, even those designed for hunting and self-defense.

Those that want to scapegoat the second amendment for someone's mental psychosis need to get a grip themselves.

[rbr651]

Gun control does not work, ask the Canadians. The biggest hurdle would be to round up the guns in the first place, some might turn in there firearms but the vast majority would not, which would leave many guns still on the streets. We've all heard it before " Make owning guns criminal, and only criminals will own guns" it's true and this is what would happen. Should the person who abides by the law not be able to hunt? That's not really fair. Society should not suffer because of few idiots do. There is some control over firearms right now, but S#@% happens. It sucks what happened at NIU and what happens all over the country everyday but I don't think outlawing guns is the answer.

[Aikbach]

Precisely, I live a humble existence in downtown Los Angeles and on the outskirts of South Central, I hear gun shots once a month from Mexican gang hooligans, many of them illegal aliens, trying to scare one another and posture their toughness.
I'm not afraid of the guns, I'm afraid of the idiots who have them and I assure you the odds of them having been acquired legally and with registration is near zero.
Despite this I cherish the second amendment for if one comes through my door he will soon meet his maker as a repercussion.

[AbeBeta]

Originally Posted by theogt

Not a very sound argument in my opinion. Someone as deranged as this, with a desire to kill people, could obtain the means to mass murder whether guns are legal or not.

Sure. But I'm going to guess that a college kid like this guy wouldn't necessarily even know where to start to get something illegally. I'm sure you know guys just like him - think about grad students you know -- would they really know where to get a gun illegally?

The kid had mental illness issues -- yet he can still legally buy a gun?

[AbeBeta]

Originally Posted by rbr651

Gun control does not work, ask the Canadians. The biggest hurdle would be to round up the guns in the first place, some might turn in there firearms but the vast majority would not, which would leave many guns still on the streets. We've all heard it before " Make owning guns criminal, and only criminals will own guns" it's true and this is what would happen. Should the person who abides by the law not be able to hunt? That's not really fair. Society should not suffer because of few idiots do. There is some control over firearms right now, but S#@% happens. It sucks what happened at NIU and what happens all over the country everyday but I don't think outlawing guns is the answer.

Society seems to suffer following an event like this. So your "few idiots running our fun" argument is hollow to me.

I don't think anyone is saying there should be no legal way to get a gun but when a mentally ill person can walk into a store and buy guns legally there seems to be a giant sized hole in the controls that are currently in place.

[CowboyFan74]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, gun control is hitting your target the 1st time...

[ScipioCowboy]

Originally Posted by abersonc

Sure. But I'm going to guess that a college kid like this guy wouldn't necessarily even know where to start to get something illegally.

Why would you assume this?

I'm sure you know guys just like him - think about grad students you know -- would they really know where to get a gun illegally?

I was a grad student, and I knew many grad students. Anyone of us could've easily determined how to purchase a gun illegally.

The bottom line here, however, is this: Gun control legislation has never proven to be an effective deterrent to violent crime, despite years of enforcement and numerous crime bills.

[SultanOfSix]

That it's a bandaid over a gun shot wound (pun intended): people's lack of morality.

[AbeBeta]

Originally Posted by ScipioCowboy

Why would you assume this?



I was a grad student, and I knew many grad students. Anyone of us could've easily determined how to purchase a gun illegally.

The bottom line here, however, is this: Gun control legislation has never proven to be an effective deterrent to violent crime, despite years of enforcement and numerous crime bills.

You know how to do so in THEORY -- but how many of you would legitimately know someone specific to get it from? That is how many of you have legit connections to pull this off vs. just being smart kids who sorta know where you do something like that but no real means to pull it off.

The lack of deterrent argument seems odd given that presently the laws are very liberal in allowing legal purchase. So saying "gun control" doesn't work really means that what we currently have in place sucks.

[ScipioCowboy]

Originally Posted by abersonc

You know how to do so in THEORY -- but how many of you would legitimately know someone specific to get it from?

...in precisely the same manner that grad students detemine where they should purchase their pot or any one of the myriad of illegal drugs that are so prevalent on college campuses.

That is how many of you have legit connections to pull this off vs. just being smart kids who sorta know where you do something like that but no real means to pull it off.

The lack of deterrent argument seems odd given that presently the laws are very liberal in allowing legal purchase. So saying "gun control" doesn't work really means that what we currently have in place sucks.

Not really. The deterrent argument is perfectly valid when we consider that the passage of anti-gun laws seldom, if ever, leads to a reduction in violent crime. In fact, states and cities with the most restrictive gun laws normally have the highest crime rates.

[zrinkill]

So if he is Gay should that change how we think about Homosexuals?

Another stupid argument from abersonc

[jman]

Originally Posted by abersonc

In the wake of the tragedy at NIU and reports that Steven Kazmierczak purchased all of his guns legally and without difficulty, I'd love to hear what folks have to say about gun control.

As Archie Bunker said..."Would you feel better if they were pushed out of windows?"

This has absoulty nothing to do with gun conrtol. It has everything to do with personal responsibility.

[theogt]

Originally Posted by abersonc

Sure. But I'm going to guess that a college kid like this guy wouldn't necessarily even know where to start to get something illegally. I'm sure you know guys just like him - think about grad students you know -- would they really know where to get a gun illegally?

The kid had mental illness issues -- yet he can still legally buy a gun?

Smart grad students should be able to figure it out. They can get drugs easily. I'm sure finding a gun wouldn't be much more of a problem. Especially if you're determined enough to go through with something like this.