Posted on 12/26/2007 10:10:53 AM PST by neverdem
People in the United States are almost evenly split between those who want tighter firearm legislation and those who believe this is unnecessary, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 42 per cent of respondents believe their country needs stricter gun control laws, while 44 per cent disagree.
The U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment guarantees Americans the right "to keep and bear arms." Some American states have enacted their own gun control regulations, independent of existing federal legislation.
Earlier this month, eight people died inside a Nebraska shopping mall when 19-year-old Robert Hawkins fired over 30 rounds of ammunition. Hawkins later killed himself.
In April, Cho Seung-hui killed 32 people—fellow students and teachers—at the Virginia Tech University campus in two separate incidents, before turning his gun on himself. The shooting is the deadliest of its kind in American history and revived a debate on whether the country should introduce new legislation on gun control. In December 2005, Virginia judge Paul Barnett stated that Cho presented "an imminent danger to himself as a result of mental illness."
On Dec. 20, the U.S. Congress approved legislation aimed at keeping guns away from mentally ill persons. The bill, which has yet to be signed into law by U.S. president George W. Bush, would demand background checks for gun buyers in order to determine whether their mental health status is clear. Democratic New York congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy—a chief sponsor of the bill—saluted the successful vote, saying, "Together, we have crafted a bill that will prevent gun violence, but maintain the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens."
It should NOT be up for debate or compromise, but unfortunately, it is. The SC has cut into the 1st Amendment in the area of political speech while extending pornographic speech, etc., and it has taken a big chunk of our property rights, without much fuss from the citizens on either. I fear that the 2nd Amendment is going to receive worse treatment when the case from D.C. is ruled on.
Whoops—meant HR 1022—that’s the bill that reimposes an even stricter version of the so-called “assault weapons ban”.
Cold. Dead. Hands.
“How is a sincere criminal, trying hard, going to get ahead in his profession if his victim fails to cooperate?
Almost all crime depends on the cooperation of the victim. If the victim refuses his assigned role, the criminal is placed at a disadvantage, one so severe that it usually takes an understanding and compassionate judge to set right.”
LAZARUS LONG
I find this hard to believe. It’s another stupid article to make things appear fair and balanced and to make you mad and to distract you. Wonder what the powers that be are up to in their late night meetings?
I don’t believe most Americans are going to want to give up their guns.
Mr. Journalist who wants to abolish the Second Amendment,
Before publishing your column calling for the eradication of gun rights did you do all of the following?
a) Undergo a Federal background check to see if you should be allowed to exercise your First Amendment rights.
b) Fill out and sign an affidavit to testify that you should be allowed to exercise your First Amendment rights.
c) Wait for five days to “cool down” before you exercised your First Amendment rights.
d) Have your column writings tested by local authorities with a copy of your writing style on file. (Otherwise known as a “ballistic fingerprinting”)
e) Have the serial number of your column recorded with your name and address by local, state, and federal authorities.
f) Get fingerprinted by your local police.
g) Take a mandatory 16-hour Journalism Safety course.
h) Have your name and address published in the local newspaper stating that you had applied for a permit to carry your column around with you.
(In Ohio)
j) Are you required to keep your columns locked in a cabinet when not in use.
k) are you allowed to write only one column every 30 days?
Americans Clearly Divided on Gun Control
However, note this tidbit at the bottom of the original: This telephone survey of 800 Likely Voters
So based on that the headline SHOULD read:
800 Americans Clearly Divided on Gun Control
But this gem is from their original Dec 18th release of the same poll:
There is a strong partisan difference on the issue of gun control. A majority (62%) of Democrats say that the country needs stricter gun control laws.Only 25% of Republicans feel the same way.
Sooooooo, if only 25% (200 of 800) of Republicans 'want' stricter laws (which I think is BS), how many MORE democrats made up the poll to get up to this 42% (336 of 800)????
My conclusion is that this poll is utter Brady Bunch propaganda bullcarp.
oh and BIG surprise that RATS want more GC laws - not.
Former Governor, Mike Huckabee’s Book Quit Digging your Grave with a Knife and Fork Now Available... Novo Nordisk, a major embryonic stem cell researcher, offered 35,000 Spanish translations of Huckabee's book in Puerto Rico last May. Huckabee's funding includes $35,000 from Novo Nordisk.
From time to time, I’ll ping on noteworthy articles about politics, foreign and military affairs. FReepmail me if you want on or off my list.
Isn’t it amazing how the MSN just ignores all those people the half ass cop blew away.
Good Hunting... from Varmint Al
Period! End of story!
I thought there were already restrictions on mentally ill people owning guns. They've worked really well I see.
I wish that just for once, some of these people would see that passing laws doesn't affect the behavior of criminals. If they cared about obeying the laws, they wouldn't be criminals. Anyone who's bound and determined to shoot up place will get the gun to do it, no matter what laws and restrictions are in place. It's called the black market.
Why would anyone be interested in a poll?
Technically speaking, inalienable/unalienable rights that pre-exist the very formation of the country, and constitution, are not subject to public opinion. They left that part out, conveniently.
oh the 42% half to me dimwits (dems)
I’m with you. Molon Labe!
Second, American voters vote against anti-gun, ie anti-self defense, candidates. When the Republicans won the majority in Congress in '94 for the first time in 40 years, President Bill Clinton, no mean political analyst, blamed the Democrats push for gun control for the loss of about 26 seats. If "gun control" were a 50-50 proposition and gun control has 100% backing in the MSM and the elites, why have the Democrats given up on "gun control"? Why have over 35 States passed Concealed Carry Weapon laws, since Florida started the trend in '87? Why would Democrat Presidential Candidate John Effin' Kerry see the need to dress up in camo, carry a shotgun and go bird hunting?
The political reality is that "gun control" is a political loser. Why has there been zero, ZERO, public demand and push for more "gun control" after Virginia Tech, the Omaha Mall and the Colorado church attacks? And Angus-Reid, whoever the h*** he is, can bloviate all he wants about the polls, but the professional politicians, who actually need to get votes, ignore ol' Angus-Reid.
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