Redneck shoots up Pensacola with AK-47

[mistermack]

So, we should ban anything that can accidentally hurt or kill someone, right? I'm 70 times more likely to die in an automobile accident, 27 times more likely to die in an accidental fall, 19 times more likely to die of an accidental poisoning, 9 times more likely to die crossing the street, 6 times more likely to die in a fire, and more than 5 times more likely to choke to death on my food. http://www.guncite.com/gun_control_gcgvacci.html

Looks to me like if accidents are the concern, there's a whole heap of shit to ban before we get to guns.

Who said accidents and mistakes are the ONLY concern of gun ownership? You were saying there was NO downside. I gave you ONE example. In any case, mistakes don't get lumped in with accident figures. You shoot someone who was not really a threat, that's not classed as an accident.
Also, all the accidents that you quote are NECESSARY risks that can't be avoided. That puts them into a different class to gun-use.

[pErvinalia]

That hardly makes you safe. You could be killed by someone else's mistake. It happens all the time, even to police and soldiers.

The odds of that happening are vanishingly small.

I showed you one example. Accidents and mistakes. If you can prove that they don't happen, then you might have a case. Just claiming that YOU will never make a mistake is worth nothing at all. Everyone would tell you the same, just minutes before the accidents and mistakes happened. And even if YOU are immune, other's are obviously not.

So, we should ban anything that can accidentally hurt or kill someone, right? I'm 70 times more likely to die in an automobile accident, 27 times more likely to die in an accidental fall, 19 times more likely to die of an accidental poisoning, 9 times more likely to die crossing the street, 6 times more likely to die in a fire, and more than 5 times more likely to choke to death on my food. http://www.guncite.com/gun_control_gcgvacci.html

Looks to me like if accidents are the concern, there's a whole heap of shit to ban before we get to guns.

Atoms. Get rid of 'em. Nothing but trouble...

[Wumbologist]

So, we should ban anything that can accidentally hurt or kill someone, right? I'm 70 times more likely to die in an automobile accident, 27 times more likely to die in an accidental fall, 19 times more likely to die of an accidental poisoning, 9 times more likely to die crossing the street, 6 times more likely to die in a fire, and more than 5 times more likely to choke to death on my food. http://www.guncite.com/gun_control_gcgvacci.html

Looks to me like if accidents are the concern, there's a whole heap of shit to ban before we get to guns.

Who said accidents and mistakes are the ONLY concern of gun ownership? You were saying there was NO downside. I gave you ONE example. In any case, mistakes don't get lumped in with accident figures. You shoot someone who was not really a threat, that's not classed as an accident.
Also, all the accidents that you quote are NECESSARY risks that can't be avoided. That puts them into a different class to gun-use.

I don't have to drive or swim. I could put all my food in a blender to reduce the risk of choking.

Life is full of risks, adding one as miniscule as the potential for a gun accident is OK by me, especially if I can pretty much eliminate that risk by following basic and common-sense safety precautions.

As far as mistaken shootings, I've got a pretty good grip on when and when not to fire. Your concern is duly noted but I think I'll be just fine.

[pErvinalia]

Hey hornmyhanderbander! BOO!

[Wumbologist]

Hey hornmyhanderbander! BOO!

AAAH!

Whoops, it was just rEv. Someone get the mop.

[pErvinalia]

[FBM]

So how about I keep my guns if I want, you don't get any if you don't want, and you quitcherbitchin'?

Sounds too much like, y'know, freedom or something.

[Gallstones]

So, what makes owning a gun comparable to watching a person get beaten and stabbed to death for entertainment?

The comparison is : The Romans considered it perfectly normal to watch that stuff.
In the US, it's considered normal to own guns.

The comparison is to point out that we accept the strangest things as normal, if we are brought up with them.
You could never convince a Roman that there was anything wrong with watching fights to the death.
Likewise gun ownership in the US.
It's about what's considered normal.

Because it fucking is.
When I was growing up every house had guns; my family and friends of my family, our neighbors, all hunted. It is common, unremarkable, "normal" and yet, not expected.

We. Don't. Care.
We don't care that our family, friends, or neighbors own hammers or power saws or citrus peelers either--unless we want to borrow them.

• 

[Gallstones]

So, what makes owning a gun comparable to watching a person get beaten and stabbed to death for entertainment?

The comparison is : The Romans considered it perfectly normal to watch that stuff.
In the US, it's considered normal to own guns.

The comparison is to point out that we accept the strangest things as normal, if we are brought up with them.
You could never convince a Roman that there was anything wrong with watching fights to the death.
Likewise gun ownership in the US.
It's about what's considered normal.

I live in a part of the US where gun ownership is far more rare, I wasn't brought up with guns, and up until a few years ago, I thought guns were bad and mean and scary. After a while, I started to realize that a lot of the anti-gun arguments lacked factual support, and my opinion started to shift. You'll certainly never convince me there's anything wrong with owning guns, if you can't find the facts to back it up. Having said that, if a conclusive link between gun ownership rates and violent crime existed, you and every other anti-gun debater I've ever talked to would have rubbed it in my face a long time ago.

Stop it right now. You are being reasonable and using logic. This is an emotional issue, no reason or logic will be entertained.

[Gallstones]

I wasn't brought up with guns,

So, you had no tv then, or comics, or never went to the movies?

Roadrunner and coyote count?


I saw Thor last night, I think my hammer has delusions of grandeur---it has been....talking to me, "Pick me up, hit something, you know you want to".

Deliverance didn't make me want to go out and learn the banjo. There must be something wrong with me.
Platoon didn't make we want to shoot a Sergeant in the back........ Although I can't throw off the desire to smoke some pot or listen to the Rolling Stones. And I did sleep in my clothes for a few weeks after.

[Gallstones]

I wasn't brought up with guns,

So, you had no tv then, or comics, or never went to the movies?

You'll certainly never convince me there's anything wrong with owning guns, if you can't find the facts to back it up.

That's an odd statement. I thought it was about the balance of pro's and cons. I've not met many people who couldn't see ANY downside to gun ownership.
I'll give you one example then. Accidents and mistakes.
All those dead people who would be alive now, but for gun accidents and mistakes. And people wounded and crippled who would be ok, but for gun accidents and mistakes.
Like the japanese student killed recently, asking for directictions on some gun-looney's drive.

I'm pretty sure more people die as a result of someone drinking and driving.
Or die from cancer or heart disease related to smoking cigarettes.

[Robert_S]

Everyone that has been shot by a firearm, accidentally or on purpose, did so at the hands of a child or an adult who used to be a child, therefore: BAN CHILDREN!!!

It's the only way to be sure!

[Gallstones]

I think that guns are the best option for killing oneself.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

                      

!!1!	NOTMOD Question answered. Thread locked. Civility ignored. Posters mocked. Just one more service we offer.

[FBM]

Smith & Wesson: Because you never get a second chance to make a good first impression.