What is the purpose of assault weapons?

[UtahDan]

What most of the anti gun crowd don't realize (especially when they compare American gun violence to European gun violence) is that guns for better or worse guns are embedded into the fabric of American society and that if their wildest dreams come true and there is a repeal or significant modification of the second amendment then that fabric will disintegrate into chaos and revolution.

I think this is true, which is why I wonder if there is a middle ground. Maybe there just isn't. By the way, since we are talking about live wire issues, I think what you are describing there is not far off from what you would see if the conservative right got its wish and was able to ban abortions.

I'm curious, what do you have in mind when you say change the gun culture or change the culture of violence. I hear a lot of people saying that but I'm genuinely unsure of what they mean or what steps they are talking about there.

EDIT: By the way, speaking of loaded language "anti-gun crowd" is pretty loaded. The "pro-gun" crowd also contributes to the mutual misunderstanding by talking in terms of bans on all guns, when virtually no one is arguing for that.

[byu71]

I think this is true, which is why I wonder if there is a middle ground. Maybe there just isn't. By the way, since we are talking about live wire issues, I think what you are describing there is not far off from what you would see if the conservative right got its wish and was able to ban abortions.

I'm curious, what do you have in mind when you say change the gun culture or change the culture of violence. I hear a lot of people saying that but I'm genuinely unsure of what they mean or what steps they are talking about there.

I have an idea. The violent video games should give the player a shock if the player loses or dies. I don't mean a little one. I mean one that will knock the kid into the wall behind him and leave him panting for breath for at least 15 minutes.

If you are going to lose in that kind of game you shouldn't be able to smile and just push a start over button.

[Uncle Ted]

I've shot automatic rifles and they're loads of fun, so I can sympathize. But what would be wrong with having a specialized range that controlled the guns and rented them out within the range to play with?

Would there be any wild Texas hogs on these specialized ranges?

We could do something with alcohol... only allow people to drink while locked up in a room so they can't hurt anyone including themselves. They would only be released from the room once their blood alcohol reached a safe level. Far more people die from alcohol than gun related deaths so maybe we should take care of this low hanging fruit first.

[Goatnapper'96]

Would there be any wild Texas hogs on these specialized ranges?

We could do something with alcohol... only allow people to drink while locked up in a room so they can't hurt anyone including themselves. They would only be released from the room once their blood alcohol reached a safe level. Far more people die from alcohol than gun related deaths so maybe we should take care of this low hanging fruit first.

So I am clear, I don't want alcohol outlawed either.

[byu71]

Would there be any wild Texas hogs on these specialized ranges?

We could do something with alcohol... only allow people to drink while locked up in a room so they can't hurt anyone including themselves. They would only be released from the room once their blood alcohol reached a safe level. Far more people die from alcohol than gun related deaths so maybe we should take care of this low hanging fruit first.

I will also bet more young people, teenagers die with cell phones in their hands than gun deaths. Why not a discussion about not allowing teenagers to have cell phones until they are 21. People got along quite well before they came along.

[Goatnapper'96]

I will also bet more young people, teenagers die with cell phones in their hands than gun deaths. Why not a discussion about not allowing teenagers to have cell phones until they are 21. People got along quite well before they came along.

Neither am I in favor of outlawing cellphones for those younger than 21.

[PaloAltoCougar]

I don't think it is a viable protection but it sure as hell draws attention to government activity in a hurry. When I think of Ruby Ridge there is certainly more public concern and outcry about government overreach as a result of some batshit crazies choosing to draw a line in the sand. Generally, if people go quietly nobody will notice or care. Gun culture is a reflection of deep mistrust of governmental entities and I like that aspect of this country.

I understand your point, but I think back to my high school civics class in which the checks and balances among the three branches were put on the board. I can now envision "Veto, impeachment, batshit crazy gun owners, judicial review, etc."

[Goatnapper'96]

I understand your point, but I think back to my high school civics class in which the checks and balances among the three branches were put on the board. I can now envision "Veto, impeachment, batshit crazy gun owners, judicial review, etc."

Isn't just a right wing version of preserving the virtue of academic freedom? Don't we need crazies to always push the limits to ensure there are limits?

[SeattleUte]

In the dead of night like to fire them at the moon and shout "Where the hell are you God?!!"

[Bo Diddley]

Gun free zone? Someone should alert the MPs. I don't think they know this.

Exactly. The police have them and no one else. And I'll bet the density of the police on post is less than what you will find off-post. That makes it a gun free zone, just like any school is.

[byu71]

In the dead of night like to fire them at the moon and shout "Where the hell are you God?!!"

I guess you have never heard the story about the "footprints in the sand".

[PaloAltoCougar]

I guess you have never heard the story about the "footprints in the sand".

Yes! When he someday looks back and sees one pair of sandal prints at the shooting range, SU will realize it was He who was emptying the clip at the moon.

[ERCougar]

Would there be any wild Texas hogs on these specialized ranges?

We could do something with alcohol... only allow people to drink while locked up in a room so they can't hurt anyone including themselves. They would only be released from the room once their blood alcohol reached a safe level. Far more people die from alcohol than gun related deaths so maybe we should take care of this low hanging fruit first.

Sure, we can include wild texas hogs.

Because there is a compelling reason to let people drink alcohol.

Next?

[UtahDan]

Would there be any wild Texas hogs on these specialized ranges?

We could do something with alcohol... only allow people to drink while locked up in a room so they can't hurt anyone including themselves. They would only be released from the room once their blood alcohol reached a safe level. Far more people die from alcohol than gun related deaths so maybe we should take care of this low hanging fruit first.

I would not be opposed at all to ignition interlock systems becoming standard on all vehicles. Again, certainly intrusive and a little loss of "freedom" but pretty whopping benefits.

[SoonerCoug]

Nothing really gets my adrenaline going like a good hunt.

In my elementary school we had a day off for the deer hunt. I was pretty much the only child in my class that did not wear camouflage to school on the day before the hunt. I did not identify culturally with others on this issue.

What is the purpose of camouflage in hunting again? Is it so the animals won't see you before you kill them?

Why can't hunting be substituted with a good game of paintball or laser tag? Is it not quite the same if you don't draw blood? Or is it the fresh meat that can't be replaced? I like a good burger. I'd like to think the cows are treated humanely.