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So, what better way to deal with my boredom than to start some random topic discussion.
Guideline
Its really something I shouldn't have to mention, but I figure I will anyways:
Let's not breakdown to swearing, insults and namecalling. I know some topics seem to turn into hotbeds (politics, religion are 2 good examples) in this forum.
And if someone does get nasty, turn the other cheek, politely disagree and remember that Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
Topic: Gun Control
Within the last year, the American Congress let a law expire which put a ban on certain assault rifles and automatic weapons. The liberals in Congress and around the country were opposed to letting it expire, saying that it would be wrong to allow these weapons to become accessible.
Related Tie-in:
The state of Ohio, where I live, within the last couple years, created a conceal-carry law, allowing citizens who took the proper training and passed classes, to carry concealed weapons. Again, many were against the idea.
My take
The assault weapons ban.
Allowing the law to expire was the right thing to do, for several reasons.
First of all, the ban specifically named certain weapons, so a person could technically change the name of the weapon and sell it "legally". A TEK-9 (which I believe was on the list) could be sold as a DEK-9b, and that got through.
Second, certain venues, such as gun shows, could not be regulated under this law. Sales of weapons at these shows simply went under the radar.
Last, and I consider this the clincher, a criminal, wanting a weapon, is not going to care whether a gun is "legal" or not. They will find a way to get it. But a man wanting to have a legal firearm and keep up with the firepower the criminals have at their disposal is unable to do so. Many police dept. have the same trouble. They are unable to keep up with the criminals.
Now, concerning the conceal-carry law, I feel this was also the right thing. Yes it opens up the door for criminals, but it also opens the door for the good people too.
If you look at crime-rates in states that have legalized conceal-carry, they are actually lower. Why? Because a criminal never knows who might have a gun on them. Would you mug someone if you thought they might have a gun?
Specifically, I recall a story where 2 men attempted to rob a Blockbuster Video. They went in with a shotgun and demanded money from the cash register. A man with a conceal-carry permit and his weapon pulled it out and told the 2 men than if they didn't leave, he'd shoot them. They must not have thought he'd do it, because they did not leave. So he shot them both (both in the leg I believe).
Without conceal-carry, not only would the criminals have gotten away, but they might have shot people in the store as well. By injuring the criminals, the man prevented several crimes.
Conceal-carry also harkens back to the last point about the assault weapons ban. A criminal isn't going to say to himself I better not hide this pistol I'm going to shoot someone with...I might get arrested for carrying a concealed weapon. If he breaks one serious law, what would it matter to him that he also breaks a minor one as well.
Now, tell me what you think.
How do you feel about either topic? Why?
Do you see errors in my reasoning/facts? What are they and what proof do you have?