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The Gun Control Debate is Not About Guns
Townhall.com ^ | October 12, 2017 | Scott Rasmussen

Posted on 10/12/2017 12:44:03 PM PDT by Kaslin

Every time a horrific event like the Las Vegas massacre takes place, it is followed by a frustrating and futile debate about the merits of gun control. People on both sides of the debate trot out talking points and talk right past each other without listening.

Much of the frustration comes from the fact that everybody would like to do something to prevent such disasters from every happening again. But, the overwhelming desire to do something is matched by the pragmatic reality that no new law, policy initiative, or government program could have prevented the gruesome events of Las Vegas. As a result, the discussion moves on to other forms of gun violence with the same sense of frustration.

The ongoing frustration stems from the fact that the debate is not really about guns. It's about who you trust.

Those who would like to see guns strongly regulated or banned may think they are just seeking to lessen the potential harm or violence in society. But, they are also suggesting that only government officials or those authorized by the government can have a gun. For people to be comfortable with giving government a monopoly on deadly weapons requires a great deal of trust in government.

But, in 21 century America, that's pretty hard to find. In fact, it's been more than 45 years since a majority of Americans trusted the federal government to do the right thing most of the time. And the distrust is growing decade-by-decade. Today only 20 percent trust the federal government most of the time. Only 4 percent "just about always" trust the feds.

It's worth noting that the 45 years of growing distrust in the federal government has coincided with the growth of the Regulatory State. As distant and unaccountable bureaucrats have assumed more power, the disconnect between the government and the governed has grown. While the Regulatory State is designed to limit the influence of voters in government policy, most Americans believe voters should have an even greater voice.

For those who distrust the government, therefore, the notion of letting only the government have guns is absurd. From their perspective, the government already has too much power. Why would we give them more? That perspective explains why 48 percent of Americans believe the right to own a gun is essential for freedom. According to the Pew Center, another 33 percent believe such rights are important for freedom, not essential. Only 19 percent say that the right to own a gun is not important.

Ultimately, therefore, the gun debate is about trust. Those who defend the Second Amendment trust everyday Americans far more than they trust the government and government officials. The reverse is true for those who want to ban or strictly regulate guns.

The debate is uncomfortable for many Americans who would like to see rules and policies implemented that prevent people with mental disabilities from getting guns. It's uncomfortable for the vast majority who would love to stop the carnage associated with gang warfare or domestic abuse. It's uncomfortable because most Americans would like some kind of reasonable rules imposed but they don't trust the government to be reasonable.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Government
KEYWORDS: banglist
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1 posted on 10/12/2017 12:44:03 PM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

Everything is always about power over you.


2 posted on 10/12/2017 12:44:59 PM PDT by Uncle Miltie (The "God Gene" is evolution's way of saying "Chaos Sucks!")
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To: Kaslin

Gun control is about control, not guns.

Government health care is about Government, not health care.


3 posted on 10/12/2017 12:50:57 PM PDT by BeauBo
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To: Uncle Miltie; Kaslin

...Everything is always about power over you...

Everything is about democrats’ blood lust for power over you.


4 posted on 10/12/2017 12:55:28 PM PDT by Sasparilla ( I'm Not Tired of Winning.)
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To: Kaslin

Do not be fooled into thinking that the left hates guns. Nope, the truth is that the left LOVES guns. They just don’t want you to have them.

Think about that.


5 posted on 10/12/2017 12:57:46 PM PDT by taxcontrol (Stupid should hurt)
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To: BeauBo
And traffic control is not about controlling traffic, do I understand you correct?
6 posted on 10/12/2017 12:58:12 PM PDT by Kaslin (Politicians are not born; they are excreted -Civilibus nati sunt; sunt excernitur. (Cicero))
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To: BeauBo

And both control and government are about power. Its all really just about power.


7 posted on 10/12/2017 12:58:53 PM PDT by caligatrux (Rage, rage against the dying of the light.)
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To: Kaslin

I read decades ago that liberals focus on banning firearms as a convenient way to punish conservatives for their wrong headedness.


8 posted on 10/12/2017 1:00:46 PM PDT by doorgunner69
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To: taxcontrol

Exactly.


9 posted on 10/12/2017 1:01:24 PM PDT by Kaslin (Politicians are not born; they are excreted -Civilibus nati sunt; sunt excernitur. (Cicero))
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To: Uncle Miltie
Everything is always about power over you.

Exactly. Currently, they don't allow me choose a car, choose a light bulb, choose a toilet, etc. except what THEY find acceptable. Yep, it's about control.

The 2nd Amendment is to prevent a totalitarian government.

10 posted on 10/12/2017 1:01:24 PM PDT by libertylover (We EXPECT RESPECT for the flag and anthem.)
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To: libertylover

“Exactly. Currently, they don’t allow me choose a car, choose a light bulb, choose a toilet, etc. except what THEY find acceptable. Yep, it’s about control.”


Good lord.

I was just reading a thread here about Alzheimer’s,and then went scrolling through latest threads.

I spotted your comment and thought that you were having memory problems and that your family had taken over.

(Time for me to logoff for a while.)

:-)

,


11 posted on 10/12/2017 1:07:41 PM PDT by Mears
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To: Kaslin

The average Democrat could get most of what they vote for simply by moving to North Korea.


12 posted on 10/12/2017 1:22:03 PM PDT by Trod Upon (Government employees and welfare recipients are both net tax consumers. Often for life.)
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To: Trod Upon

I wouldn’t miss them if they would.


13 posted on 10/12/2017 1:23:47 PM PDT by Kaslin (Politicians are not born; they are excreted -Civilibus nati sunt; sunt excernitur. (Cicero))
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To: Uncle Miltie
"Everything is always about power over you."

Nailed it.

14 posted on 10/12/2017 1:27:02 PM PDT by shanover (...To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them.-S.Adams)
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To: Kaslin

It’s about revenue.

If it were about traffic police cars would be distinctively black and white. Worn out police vehicles would be moved around and parked conspicuously in areas where people need to slow down.

Contemplative people realize this.
People who never seriously considered it will debate this.
Corrupt socialists will try to deny this without the integrity to debate the merits of going back to what we used to do.


15 posted on 10/12/2017 1:29:04 PM PDT by MrEdd (Caveat Emptor)
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To: Kaslin

“do I understand you correct?”

Apparently not.

The issues that I referred to were where politicians cynically push an issue to empower or enrich themselves, not for the reason they claim to promote.


16 posted on 10/12/2017 1:38:18 PM PDT by BeauBo
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To: Uncle Miltie

You used just seven words to eloquently state what would have taken me paragraphs. Great post.


17 posted on 10/12/2017 1:51:31 PM PDT by Pete Dovgan
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To: Pete Dovgan

It took me about 25 years of adult life to figure that out.

OBTW - That statement is true for ABSOLUTLY ALL Democrats and ALMOST ALL Republicans.

The difference is what particular lies they tell you to achieve it.

Trump is US.

THEY (Ds and Rs) are THEM.


18 posted on 10/12/2017 2:51:19 PM PDT by Uncle Miltie (The "God Gene" is evolution's way of saying "Chaos Sucks!")
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To: Mears

Ha, ha. I meant the federal government and didn’t think about it being read as Alzheimer’s.


19 posted on 10/12/2017 3:29:19 PM PDT by libertylover (We EXPECT RESPECT for the flag and anthem.)
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To: libertylover

Of course,as soon as I really read the post I knew-——a quick read can be a dangerous thing. :-)

.


20 posted on 10/12/2017 3:33:50 PM PDT by Mears
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