Posted on 09/14/2010 5:18:15 AM PDT by marktwain
Guns don't kill people… PEOPLE kill people!
Sounds flip, but it's undeniably true.
Guns are tools, inanimate objects devoid of feelings. When unassisted by the human animal a gun is no more dangerous than a paperweight. Subsequently, any debate on how to control these THINGS is not only silly, but a waste of time.
What we should be debating is how to control the MISUSE of guns… how to control the PEOPLE who have them.
While the vast majority of gun owners are responsible, law-abiding folk, there are others (we'll call them the "Bad Guys") who need to be prompted in the proper use of firearms. By "prompted", I mean discouraged from misusing their weapons… and by "discouraged", I mean stronger deterrents, harsher penalties!
Gun bans and costly registries (long-gun) can only be effective, if ALL of us play by the rules. The "Bad Guys", being "Bad Guys", won't! They WILL have their guns!
registry
I think we'll all agree that stiffer penalties for gun crimes won't solve the problem entirely. Nothing is 100%. There will always be those willing to suffer the consequences no matter how severe.
But let's give it a go anyway, shall we?
Our "fearless" leaders talk tough on gun crime, but for some reason, seem to lack the intestinal fortitude to GET tough. If it's really a serious problem, then shouldn"t we get, like, REALLY serious?
I'd like to see them try this one on for size. Commit a crime with a gun, ANY crime… MANDATORY LIFE!
Whaddaya say Steve? Iggy? Jack? Bloc Head?
Didn't think so.
Go tend to your bleeding hearts.
I thought you might like this.
“I’d like to see them try this one on for size. Commit a crime with a gun, ANY crime… MANDATORY LIFE! “
That is stupid.
LMAO! Okay, it's amusing, but I don't disagree with you. CCW reciprocity in the Great White North would definitely help me make decisions as to vacation destinations. Now if we could just do something about the Quebecois.
Crime is crime, don,t matter what weapon some one may use to commit it with, if some one puts a knife or ice pick to my throat i will likely fork over my money, or if they just have a club or an axe they may just hit you and take what they want, i think i would feel better with the gun, at least i would have a chance to fork it over.
I have long maintained that the most efficient way to control ownership of guns is to simply put on each person’s driver’s license whether or not they are entitled to own one. Would it completely solve the problem? No, but anyone caught with a gun without the appropriate license stamp goes to jail for a long time; anyone selling a gun to someone without the appropriate license stamp goes to jail for a long time. This also dispenses with the gun registration idea.
And I see it as hazardous to have every person somehow evaluated by a bureaucrat before they can exercise a God-given right. A dangerous power in the hands of the wrong people. Like those in charge now.
Your declaration contains no effort at persuasion.
(Neither does mine, if I left it at that.)
FWIW, I think it’s a good start to an idea. Making the use of a weapon, whether blunt, bladed, projectile or phased plasma a major factor in sentencing would do more than any amount of permit or registration requirement.
Do you disagree? Why, specifically?
instead of 'gun crime', how about prosecuting just plain ole 'crime' and leave the wandering definitions out of it, they will be bent to further the agenda in the end...
“I’d like to see them try this one on for size. Commit a crime with a gun, ANY crime… MANDATORY LIFE! “
That is stupid.
I agree. That is really stupid.
(My little nephew is learning new words every day; he announced recently that “I am a people, Daddy is a people, you’re a people, Buddy is a dog!”)
The problem with your suggestion (at least in USA) is that according to COTUS 2A, if you’re a “people” you get to keep and bear arms.
I’d actually be for comfy with a form of ID that announces my citizenship (proven by documentation, please), which extends all COTUS rights— and then includes (or not) the licensure of vehicle operation.
“Your declaration contains no effort at persuasion”
No, it was a simple statement directed at a thoughtless proposal the writer designed to instigate.
“Making the use of a weapon, whether blunt, bladed, projectile or phased plasma a major factor in sentencing would do more than any amount of permit or registration requirement.”
Really? There are numerous states which have tried this. Have they helped? If someone is proposing a radical change it is incumbent upon them to support their argument. Its not up to those who do not support their idea to refute.
His proposal was to impose a life sentence on anyone committing ANY crime with a firearm. Does that include speeding? How about shooting a buck with the proper tag?
Why are guns the only target of this law? Are knives more noble?
You want the law changed you need to come up with a reason. Change for changes sake is not leadership nor good for a country.
Not necessarily. Present law forbids the ownership of guns to felons, minors, and other “people.” All the state would have to do is a quick background check when issuing a driver’s license and, if the person is in one of the prohibited categories, simply put on the license that he/she/it is not allowed to purchase or possess a gun.
As a strict constitutionalist I note:
1. A felon who has completed his sentence ought to be capable of all the rights of a citizen. If not, the problem is that the sentence was not long enough. (Never mind nowadays many felonies are non-violent in nature. Odd, that.) The very idea of putting a man on the street while denying him an otherwise lawful means of self-defense ought to be considered an act of barbarous cruelty.
2. A person of any age who can be taught to propel 4,000 pounds of steel at 50 MPH safely, and be held responsible for doing it wrong, can be taught to propel 9 grams of lead at 2,000 FPS to the same degree. The first is a privilege (though I don’t quite understand why), and the second a Right.
But then I’m a pretty radical kind of guy...
How do you commit "speeding" with a firearm? (I do not equate "having it nearby" with "using". Do you?)
How about shooting a buck with the proper tag?
If you mean "without", then...point taken.
Really? There are numerous states which have tried this.
Really? Mandatory significant increases in penalty for use of a firearm? Last state I had heard of that came close added five years for it....of course the convicts get paroled years before the original non-firearm sentence is complete...I assert, subject to correction, that no state has a mandatory, this-must-be-served-without-parole sentence other than "life without parole"--the death penalty for the squeamish.
Are knives more noble?
Knives are for bandits. Katanas or broadswords, please. I'd really like to see an old-fashioned claymore fight...
I forgot to add: as permit and registration laws are meaningless to the criminal community, ANY slight benefit “enhanced sentencing” might provide would be superior.
“How do you commit “speeding” with a firearm? (I do not equate “having it nearby” with “using”. Do you?)”
Driving out to the range or to your hunting area.
“Mandatory significant increases in penalty for use of a firearm?”
yes, Florida is one example.
I repeat, I do not equate “having it nearby” with “using”. Do you?
yes, Florida is one example.
What is the mandatory, this-must-be-served-without-parole sentence enhancement in Florida? And can you commit "speeding" with a firearm there, and have the enhancement applied?
“I repeat, I do not equate “having it nearby” with “using”. Do you?”
Yes, current law says if you have a firearm in your possession it counts. Having one in your car for example during the commission of a crime, e.g. speeding.
Florida law is 10, 20, life. Automatic sentence for crimes with firearms in the possession of the criminal.
You’re splitting hairs. You know the gun grabbers will use any underhanded tactic available.
“but anyone caught with a gun without the appropriate license stamp goes to jail for a long time;”
Ok so are you going to require a drivers license and special stamp for all the other Constitutionally protected rights?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.