Gun Violence: What Can Be Done to Save Lives

Times Square Gossip ^ | Brian Woodward

[honestabe010]

"Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed."- Noah Webster, An Examination of the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution, 1787

These are eloquent words spoken by as educated of a man as there was at the time. Noah Webster is an American icon, an editor of the Federalist Papers, an eminent author, and an opponent of slavery. He also lived in a different era where different truths applied. The United States government has access to weapons far superior to the collective gun arsenals held by citizens. Tanks and fighter jets will quickly negate an assault rifle. One cannot argue with the fact that dictatorships have upheld themselves by the barrel of a gun. Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong took the guns from the people rendering them defenseless to brutality and genocide. While firearms would help in resistance against government they would ultimately fail in the face of the firepower of the United States military. Defense against an oppressive government is no longer a valid reason for owning guns.

[TXnMA]

Time... You make a good case; plus — I had overlooked the rapid turnover in the military. Maybe it’s now or never — but, a lone 75-year-old out in the boonies has little influence on such things... :-(

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Gun Violence: What Can Be Done to Save Lives

Which is it - do you want to reduce gun violence, or do you want to reduce violence and save lives?

If all you care about is gun violence, just pass a law saying violence committed without a gun is OK. Then anyone who wants to commit violence will go to some trouble to do so without a gun, if possible.

I’m not saying that under a law like that criminals might not crucify you - but at least they wouldn’t be using guns to do it. </sarcasm>

[Texas resident]

Ever notice that cops can take down a dog with a small number of rounds, but can’t bring down a criminal unless they fire off 172 rounds?

Just a thought.