Gun Control Debate in wake of AZ shooting

[dangerousdave]

I believe in gun control, thats why I always use two hands while shooting. Dave

[fishin350]

We have enough laws. Just inforce the ones we all ready have.

[stratosjoe]

I remember a situation in central Illinois where a guy was in an argument with his wife right outside the court room. They had just went thru a nasty divorce and the judge had made a ruling in regards to custody of the children. The fight was verbal at first until he breaks out a gun shoots misses her with the first shot a guy standing close knocked the gun from his hand then proceeded to work the guy over. Another bystander unaware of who ,what ,when or where yanks the hero off the husband and proceeds to work him over . Mean while the husband gets the gun and wastes the wife. Thank goodness the 2nd bystander was not armed. Maybe a class would have given him the cause to pause but I'm not sure. I am a strong opponent to gun control but man there are some people out there that don't need a ball bat in there hands let alone a gun. I don't know if we will ever come to terms on this subject. This last sad episode probably could not have been stopped. NOT being political on this I really feel the hit list for congressman was uncalled for with the crosshairs. What was anyone thinking when that was put out to the public every person that saw that knew it was in jest, its like sarcazim on a post some people just don't get it.

[MrSplitshot]

I agree that there are some people who just flat out don't need guns in their hands...the hard part in gun control is the state figuring out just which people those are. Criminals are easy, relatively speaking, to rule out as legal gun owners....but that doesn't stop them from getting guns.

I also agree that the only thing worse than having no gun to defend yourself is having a gun, and not having a clue what to do with it. You endanger yourself and others. Training for legal concealed carry should be required, as it is....but personally, I think the training is a little too easy. I had a great instructor and enjoyed my class a lot, but there are two parts to the deal....being proficient with the weapon in a defense situation is one, but identifying situations quickly and knowing how to react is HUGE. Choosing to carry a weapon is a HUGE responsibility.

It's tough for me, because I wouldn't want to make it harder for the GOOD GUYS to get guns...but I also don't necessarily want guns in the hands of untrained people...at least not for concealed carry. Essentially, getting a concealed carry permit now is no different than getting a drivers license....take a written test, pass a field exam, get your license. (As long as background check is okay.) I might make the curriculum required a little more in-depth, even if it takes longer. Also, most of us learn be repetition...aka, someone beating it into our brain over and over again. Make "continuous learning" courses a requirement...maybe something annual or every now and again. My wife has to take continuous training hours in the medical profession so that she is always sharp, knows the latest stuff, and doesn't kill somebody for lack of training. If you are serious about being a responsible carrier of a weapon in public, this requirement shouldn't bother you. If you are not serious or willing to give it the effort to stay sharp, than frankly, I'm not sure I want you carrying anyway.

For everyday control of who can buy guns, I am a firm firm believer in the FACT that guns do not kill people. Keep the age requirements as is, mandatory background checks to rule out the recorded criminals...but I just don't know how to keep a nutjob with a clean criminal history from being able to go into Wal-Mart and buy a Shotgun. The criminals are going to buy them on the street anyway, so again, what's it matter?

The only thing I am certain of is that outlawing guns, even if it's just in a particular city, is the ABSOLUTE WRONG THING TO DO. Criminals will get the weapons regardless, because they already have a total lack of respect for the law. (Using my best Jackie Gleason voice there, in case you didn't hear it.) Do not prevent a legal American, on American soil, who has a clean background and sane mind from obtaining a weapon. NEVER. It is a fundamental right, regardless of geography. If they want to carry it in public, then make them undergo a licensing procedure...whether it is concealed or open carry, in my opinion. I do not agree with it being "OK" for a guy to wear a 44 Magnum on his hip in plain view legally without a permit, but illegal for me to put a .32 in my back pocket without a permit. Both people have the same responsibility in training and proficiency to uphold, in my opinion. If anything, the guy with the hogleg on his hip in plain view does nothing but make folks who don't know anything about guns uncomfortable.

Again, the hard part is determining which buffalo in the herd isn't fit to have a gun...from a mental standpoint. That's just dang near uncrackable in a realistic method.

I agree with walkeraviator (he knows his stuff) about perceived threat on your own person versus actual threat on a third person...though I struggle with that one some. I'm going to avoid a threat if at all possible, and only draw that weapon if the threat on me or immediate family is clear, present, and imminent. IE: Someone has gun in hand and is gunning for me with it. However, I think about this grocery store in AZ. If I'm in the crowd listening to the speech and this nutjob comes in firing at the crowd - I'm in the crowd. It would be hard for me, in that situation, to not pull my pistol and take action to stop him. The threat is pretty clear in this case. All it takes is 1 legally armed citizen in that grocery store, and a death toll of 6 could have been lowered to 1,2,3...who knows...but the threat could have been neutralized quicker. Not to be a hero, but to protect my own life, and the life of the others in that crowd with me, when the whackjob starts firing at us. I think human nature in that case is to get out, find cover, get away...and I'm sure everyone immediately attempted that...but some did not succeed. I'm pretty sure that I would be returning fire, if able. Different story if I'm outside, he's inside....or vice versa. I'm not going to look for the threat or play policeman.

I'm surprised, in a state like AZ, that somebody in that crowd wasn't carrying a weapon...if it was a republican speaking, it would have probably been different. Not playing politics, just being realistic...probably more card carrying Pubs than Dems.

[DJD]

I agree with all that has been said on this so I won't repeat their points.
I will add that I bet a huge percentage of the folks that went through the CCDW class are not avid shooters and that alone can be a problem.

I have spend alot of money shooting my pistols, rifles and shotguns through the years and do a pretty good job with all of them. I guess all I'm saying is that getting used to your weapon of choice is very important.

Oh one more thing if your not in the NRA sign up! They fight for your rights all the time and your subscription helps fund them.