I don't think you're either a moron or a troll.
And there are a lot of folks here who will discuss issues honestly and without namecalling.
However, you are bringing in links to sites which are decidedly anti-gunownership in their biases.
If you poke the hornets' nest, expect to see some flying insects.
John Lott, in addition to More Guns, Less Crime, has published papers on the effectiveness of self-storage laws, and I think I also saw one on suicides.
His stuff has been rigorously peer-reviewed multiple times, (despite all the vituperation that gets heaped on him).
Well, this is because of the way I often handle processing an issue.
To oversimplify a bit:
I find all the information I can, pro and con, and examine both sides to see if they hold up.
When I have a working hypothesis (for example, "I should not only purchase a pistol [which I don't currently own] but should also help push for a concealed-carry law in my state"), then I go out and look for the strongest critics of my tentative conclusion that I can find. Then I listen directly to what they have to say (rather than just listen to what their opponents claim they say, which is often different, sometimes subtly, sometimes not).
Nor do I automatically assume, even if I find that half of what one side says is BS, that ALL of what they say is BS.
If my working position on the matter weathers an all-out assault by the strongest critics, then I have a very high degree of confidence that the conclusion I've arrived at is entirely correct. Time consuming, but often worth it.
That's a simplification, of course. What usually happens is that both sides have at least some points which turn out to be correct, and I arrive at a synthesized, hybrid, more detailed conclusion.
For example, "Guns should be entirely legal for law-abiding citizens - but highly illegal for persons with a prior conviction in a, b, and c. Having a gun in your home for self-defense is a good idea - unless any member of your family shows symptoms of d, e, or f. Children can handle guns safely - if the parent does g, h, and i."
If you poke the hornets' nest, expect to see some flying insects.
Yeah, well, I do seem to have this rather unhealthy habit of mistaking the damn things for pinatas... most people have their minds made up, thank you very much, and really aren't too interested in a fresh look at the pros and cons of any issue. Rock their boat, and suffer the consequences.
There are some places where I just have to smile and just keep my damn mouth shut... as my father in law said, never talk religion or politics. But what's a guy to do when he's somewhat addicted to both? Carry a fly swatter and some snuff for the hornet stings, I guess. :-)
John Lott, in addition to More Guns, Less Crime, has published papers on the effectiveness of self-storage laws, and I think I also saw one on suicides.
This is interesting news, since I'm interested both in handgun storage and firearms and suicide. Thanks for the tip!