Americans Clearly Divided on Gun Control

Angus Reid Global Monitor ^ | December 26, 2007 | NA

[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."

[mad_as_he$$]

I think you are on to something. Where was it where some girl killed herself because of something posted on the net? Clearly their needs to be controls on who and when free speech can be exercised. I am only talking about rational limits on words that have “unusual lethality”.

[SunkenCiv]

thanks neverdem.

[ripley]

“loons”

absolute loons.

[ripley]

that’s foster brooks. (always played the drunk)

[ripley]

“that’s when i learned he loved beer.”

what a good doggie! (probably the perfect drinking buddy.)

[Nachoman]

I’m willing to die to protect my right to keep and bear arms. Are the gun controllers that committed to taking them away?

[BerryDingle]

Yes, I knew that, should have left a “just kidding” tag after my comment. Wolf Blitzer’s beard always reminds me of Foster Brooks (no disrespect intended for Foster). Loved Foster’s comedy skits, he was even better than Otis on Andy Griffith.

[ricks_place]

Americans are Clearly Divided on Gun Control!

The Weaver stance minimizes your target area but exposes the unprotected area below your armpit. This stance can make shooting while moving difficult.	The Isosceles stance places your body armor between you and the threat and allows for ease of movement. However, it has limited application in fighting, since it exposes such vulnerable targets as the eyes, throat, and groin.

[ripley]

sorry, thought you were a young’un. (those young’uns don’t know nuthin ‘bout old times.)

[neverdem]

Here's another example:

Gun-control advocacy group picks new leader (PA)

CeaseFire PA has joined with Gov. Ed Rendell, another former Philadelphia mayor, in pushing for three new gun control laws from the state Legislature. One would limit gun buyers to one handgun a month; another would require owners to report lost or stolen guns to police within 24 hours; and another would let towns and cities enact their own gun laws, which could be stricter than state law.

This is just one example. IIRC, Connecticut also passed a law requiring that the police be notified of stolen firearms within a few days, etc.