Whenever a tragedy happens such as what occurred in Aurora, Colorado, our nation becomes polarized on the issues that lead to such a disaster. We discuss mental illness and the signs that were missed. Movies (Batman in 2012 and the Matrix in 1999) are scrutinized as catalysts for violence. Theorists and experts are interviewed to give the public their opinions about what went wrong.
Another result of mass murder incidents is the debate on gun control laws in the United States. I don’t try to hide the fact that I’m a liberal independent. With that said, I think that the time has come for tighter gun control laws.
I know the history and reasons behind the 2nd Amendment being included in the Constitution, so I won’t be giving an American history lesson. I do know that the same issues and problems people faced in 1776 aren’t the same issues people face in 2012. I’m pretty sure that British Redcoats aren’t going to come marching down your block demanding tariffs. I’ve lived in the south (Tennessee) for an extended period of time so I’m familiar with people’s affinity for firearms. Hunting is a way of life for many. A license to carry a concealed firearm is just as easy to obtain as a license to drive a motor vehicle. Even with living in that environment, I still don’t like guns.
I’m not encouraging the government taking away guns from people, but there is no reason that it should be legal for ordinary citizens to purchase assault rifles. Average Joe from down the street isn’t fighting al-Qaeda on his way to work, so what’s the need for him to have an M-16 assault rifle? Banning such weapons won’t prevent murders, but it’ll reduce the likelihood of situations like what went down in Aurora. That amount of carnage wouldn’t have happened if the suspect only possessed a handgun.
There will be no discussion on gun control laws in the near future because this is an election year. Most Democrats who are gun control advocates won’t do anything to anger or push away voters who own firearms. This is especially true in red or purple states. The NRA still has a lot of influence in politics and will throw money to whoever supports looser control of firearms. Even President Obama waited five days after the tragedy to make comments on gun control laws. His comments weren’t definitive enough for my liking.
After the shooting in Aurora, you would expect mature conversation about how the saturation of guns can only increase gun-related murders. Do you know what happened? In Colorado, there was a 41% increase in gun sales following the shooting. We’re fed the message that those people in the theater wouldn’t have died if they had been armed. Following that logic, every American should own a gun. I can only hope that the American people can see that tighter gun control is one of many solutions to the problem of violence we have.
How do you feel about guns? Do you think we need stricter or more lenient gun control laws? Do you think that the accessibility such weapons aids in the amount of large scale violence we see, or would it happen anyway?
Hell yeah we need gun control laws. There is no reason why one can simply go to a gun show and buy a gun w/o a background check, why those with mental health issues and violent histories should have access. Not too mention who the hell needs 5+ guns and M16 like arsenal, is folks REALLY hunting with that. Folks are always harping back to the 2nd Amendment, which was created at a time when slavery was legal, women couldn’t vote, etc. That just goes to show that argument is old and outdated.
I do think there needs to be stricter gun control laws. **shrugs** NOW- I know the ‘issue’ of people needing background checks for criminal issues and mental health issues will come up. Yes- I do agree that a better screening process could and would eliminate a lot of the crazies out here getting guns to play with… BUT what it won’t do is eliminate the guns that are probably most likely used in a lot of these senseless street killings because most of those are probably illegally obtained anyway… no screening woulda caught those. AND several times it seems as though buying guns MAKES people crazy because folks ‘snap’ after these checks. Not all gun holding murderers have ‘detectable’ mental disorders… they are just ‘quick tempered’ and ignorant…. **shrugs** IDK but I honestly sometimes wish that like in the movies all of us ‘good people’ the ones who care can get a wish or two… and fix some of the mess this world is in now… it’s so sad… sooo friggin sad… smh..
As a gun owner and someone that plans on going hunting this year, I am open to hearing arguments and ideas for gun control. Nevertheless, do we need the right to have guns? Yes. Will the British be marching down my street? No. But at the same time, who knows who will be walking down the street at 2am in the morning and trying to break into my house. If I hear a sound downstairs, better believe I'm grabbing my shotgun!! And I love the fact that I have that right to protect my home! Even more so when I have kids in the future…
But like I said…if a fair idea was on the table, I would be open to listening.
" If I hear a sound downstairs, better believe I'm grabbing my shotgun!! "
Right…your shotgun …not your M-16 assault rifle. That's the difference I believe the author in the post is trying to convey.
Yes, which is why I said multiple times;
"I am open to hearing arguments and ideas for gun control."
Because I'm open to hearing new ideas for gun control, but don't think all around gun control is necessary.
Explain tighter gun control laws and then more folks might be on-board with it. Then we have to look at what is controlled.
Are you going to put more stringent control on AR (Assault Rifles) but leave the handguns and hunting rifles as they are?
Have more people been killed by a person with a stockpile of weapons or by a person with 1 weapon at the time?
Are you going to leave the purchase of ammunition open without controls?
Is the lessening of a right offset if we save some people?
If so, what about making it easier for cops to arrest citizens based on tips and suspicions and not supported evidence?
Will that be worth the trade-off?
I am NOT a gun owner. I am liberal thinking Black man born and raised in the South who served in the military. But I fear the moment when ANY freedoms are relinquished for what is considered the greater good. Crazy people will find a way. It's part of the greatness that is being mentally unstable. Crime will NOT stop. It MIGHT and I stress MIGHT lessen but the power vacuum that would be created would be horrible to live through AND then you will make the government (which is NO ONES Friend) that much more powerful.
I am not saying that everyone should have a gun to stop those that do. That is poor logic. What I am saying is the trade-off for many of the rights we do have are the true cause of the violence. Can we afford to lose those freedoms?
If we did would we feel any safer?
Crazy people will find a way. It's part of the greatness that is being mentally unstable. Crime will NOT stop.
LMAO!!! Truth
THis is a tough topic. I am in class for now
my grandmother in the rural north carolina kept several rifles under the mattress. i slept on top of these rifles. it meant safety to me. as i got older guns scared me. finally i took gun lessons. as you see from my avatar i can shoot hand gun and rifle. i respect guns. i do know if anything goes down i will be able to protect my family like my grandmother and great-grandmother before me.
(oh im not leaving out the men in my family, they handled their business i just identify with the females and their bold spirit)
As much as I feel that there needs to be tighter Gun Laws- like the Clintion years- I know for a fact that Guns WILL be bought or sold Illegally , & that’s the Core of this issue. Truth is that Nobody that Was/Is a Law-Abiding Citizen would have been permitted to have their gun on them in that theater, just like Schools and Corporate Offices prohibit them and “other Weapons”, so let’s get THAT Comb Over Nugget out the way….
Back to Illegal purchases/sells: a Gun Owner has no obligation per se to have paperwork to show who they sell their gun to- unless they wish to be charged for a death or attempted murder, and the Person In Possession of it at the moment of a death & investigation WILL BE Public Enemy #1 by default. People now want to settle conflicts with firearms and not Words or Fists. This unfortunately is America Today, a Sad Era too
"I know for a fact that Guns WILL be bought or sold Illegally , & that's the Core of this issue."
that doesn't mean that we should try to curb the sale of assault rifles where we can. that's akin to the government making cocaine illegal but drug dealers started selling it illegally so the government threw their hands in the air and said well ppl are getting access to coke anyway so let's just forget about it.
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It is extremely rare that assault rifles are the weapon of choice in mass shootings- minus Columbine and Fort Hood. I meant the semi-auto pistols, the Glocks, .32/.37.38/.40/.45/.47 caliber and revolver guns. Those can be sold right on the porch or alleyway in plain sight and “concealed”, unlike an AR-135, Uzi, M-16 or an AK-47. Hell, I bought a .22 at 19 from a stranger to stop being robbed and harassed, so I Know it’s more of a problem than Gun Show/Gun Shop buys w/o a background check
You're applying your personal situation on a grander scale, though. I don't know where you're from, but in states where gun laws are super lax, the street market for guns are a lot smaller because the illicitness isn't necessary, and crimes still happen there every day (especially since store prices are cheaper than street prices). But I agree that the gun black market needs to be addressed as well.
"that's akin to the government making cocaine illegal but drug dealers started selling it illegally so the government threw their hands in the air and said well ppl are getting access to coke anyway so let's just forget about it. "
That wouldn't be the worst scenario either, IMO.
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I live in the STRICTEST gun control city in the country, NYC where it is legally impossible to get a gun permit, let alone a conceal and carry permit (I've tried) and guess what? There is still more violence with guns here than in liberal places like Colorado and TX.
Stricter gun control laws ONLY work on law-abiding citizens. Someone who wants to get their hands on an illegal weapon will succeed, just like Marijuana, crack, cocaine, etc. users will find a seller with relatively little difficulty. This leads to illegal gun owners with ignorance of proper care and caution to owning and operating a firearm. It's a similar story to how preaching abstinence instead of proper education still leads to pregnancies and STD spread among teens and young adults.
In fact I agree with a more standardized approach to background checks and placing the onus on sellers, but none of this would have likely prevented this man from going off.
Though the Aurora shooting was a tragedy, it is a rare occurrence by someone who had intended to harm others as their goal and had he not used firearms, he would've found another means to carry out his plot. Unfortunately it's a negative reflection on the millions of firearm owners who are grouped in with the criminally insane for no other purpose than the fact they own a weapon.
I'll just skip writing what I was going to and insert my cosign here.
"There is still more violence with guns here than in liberal places like Colorado and TX."
if TX and Colorado had as many people per square mile that NYC has i guarantee they would have similar gun violence problems.
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Based on what? The states with the highest gun crime rates are NOT the states with the most dense population (#1 Louisiana, #2 Missouri and #27-NY), there is no direct correlation between gun crimes and state size.
Source: FBI gun crime Statistics
You have to look at these things per capita.
#1 Louisiana – New Orleans.
#2 Missouri – St. Louis
At the state level it's really hard to rank them. However, major cities will have more gun crimes because of sheer people. NYC has strict gun control laws, but they also have a mayor who has cracked down on crime. New Orleans, Chicago, Philly and St. Louis do not. That's not the argument I would make for it being an issue of illegal or legal purchasing of guns.
Dr J, that stat was based on per capita (gun crimes per 100,000 ppl). I forgot to mention that (critical) fact.
@DeKeLa I am the student, you are the teacher. Co-Sign
Stricter firearm laws may be the answer, however, I don't believe that the possession of and access to firearms is the root of the issue. The problem is individuals who choose to commit crimes with firearms. Taking the recent Colorado shooting as an example; Yes, the culprit committed the act using a Class 3 firearm along with secondary sidearms and head to toe body armor, and without access to such unnecessary "artillery" this incident may not have occurred. However, I would argue that had his access to such arms been prohibited by stricter firearm laws (that were already put in place), he would have meticulously planned (as he did with that incident as there is evidence of premeditation) a similar attack but with a different arsenal of weaponry that could have been significantly more devastating. With implementation of tighter firearm laws, we may be effectively disarming law abiding citizens, abridging the right of those same law abiding citizens to protect themselves and enabling those with malicious intent to commit crimes amongst an unarmed society.
Stricter gun laws are a bandaid for a gunshot wound of a problem. We’re a fearful and paranoid society. They need guns for protection, protection from what? They don’t even know. Therein lies the issue will people ever feel safe enough to live without a gun, i don’t think so. People are just as afraid of the government (and zombies) now as they were of Redcoats in 1776. I know people who own guns legally and otherwise and both have that same fear that they need one because others do.
if people think their .38 is gonna protect them from the government (who has fighter jets, an army and tanks) or a legion of zombies then they have another thing coming.
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That's not the only government though. I mean in our parents age "the government" could be the police in a southern state attempting to teach you a lesson for owning a business. Look at 2Pac when he got arrested for (I think) spitting on a police officer and (at least his story was) it was because of how the cop was treating him. I don't think people think the government is going to launch a war against them. I think its more about those who think they have some kind of power because they are in a governmental position…..its not too different from those who feel like they have some kind of power because they have a gun. So effectively, (I think) people just want protection from people like themselves.
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Man, you and me are >>here<< when it comes to gun control. I'm gonna not try to throw shade on anyone when it comes to my opinions, but having gone to school in the south myself, I know how some people get sensitive/defensive about this topic. So, apologies in advance.
There's no reason why anybody should have an assault rifle, in my opinion. None. Unless you're part of S.W.A.T. or some comparable armed forces, the fact that it's available for purchase is just out of control to me. I don't think I should need to explain that any further.
Another thing I have a hard line on…open carry laws, including carrying a concealed weapon. Outside of law enforcement, I really don't see the point of this. If you're so threatened in your neighborhood that you feel the need to have a gun in your pocket at all times, then you need to move. There's no rhyme or reason (to me) in being able to carry around murder weapons in broad daylight. Especially in a city like NY, where people are the most skittish ever….do you KNOW how many unintentional shootings would go down? Man, miss me with that.
When it comes to shotguns and rifles, I personally don't rock with them, but I understand that people like to hunt and whatnot. Plus, there are people that have to deal with bears and coyotes literally in their backyards, so I understand that there may be legitimate needs for those weapons.
Personally, I just don't entirely buy the whole self defense argument. Call me cynical, but when a lot of people can buy a gun without having to prove that they can actually use them properly, I don't think that it's providing the safety that people claim. And when proper gun safety standards suggest that you should keep your gun under lock and key with they safety on and the bullets in a separate place, you're really telling me that in a home invasion you're gonna be calm and collected enough to have those couple of minutes to unlock and assemble? Y'all are better people than me.
But the biggest issue to me is that it's entirely too easy to get a gun in this country, both legally and illegally. Both need to be cracked down on separately. While it's true that the majority of gun owners are fairly responsible with their gun usage, the amount of outliers that have abused that second amendment right is far too large to be ignored.
"Another thing I have a hard line on…open carry laws, including carrying a concealed weapon."
in tennessee everyone carries around their gun because its so easy to get a carry permit. don't have a felony? they're handing them out like candy. i remember my fraternity was having a car wash fundraiser one summer saturday morning. as we were washing cars one of my frat brothers bent over to clean tires and i noticed that he had a gun strapped to his ankle. for what? why would you need to bring a gun to a college car wash?
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And when proper gun safety standards suggest that you should keep your gun under lock and key with they safety on and the bullets in a separate place, you're really telling me that in a home invasion you're gonna be calm and collected enough to have those couple of minutes to unlock and assemble? Y'all are better people than me.
Who needs TV, when I have y'all… Thanks
I respect the rights of the people to own guns, but I do agree assault rifles should be banned. In fact, they were banned (I believe nationally) but definitely in Colorado for a number of years until the ban lapsed and was never renewed. I plan to (legally) obtain a gun shortly. Although I live in Colorado, this is independent of the Auroa massacre. This is something I’ve wanted for years and never got around to purchasing. Once I own a gun, I might feel differently but I’m not reactionary so I wouldn’t Ruh to buy a gun because of what happen nor am I in a rush to forbid responsible gun owners from purchasing weapons for hunting, protection or simply because it is their right.
Side note: strangely enough there is a national gun show in Colorado this weekend. Surprised no one is talking about this but I’m sure it was scheduled months in advance.
"I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free".
"We're the greatest country in the world, because we're free"
"Freedom isn't free"
As long as America continues to adopt this "freedom means I can do whatever I want because I'm the greatest thing ever, but I might have to fight for my freedom so lemme arm myself" mentality we will be exactly where we are. Americans have been taught to be paranoid & selfish. Somehow we believe universal healthcare means you are "picking up a lazy persons slack", but relaxed gun laws are meant to "help and save people". Go figure.
"Somehow we believe universal healthcare means you are "picking up a lazy persons slack", but relaxed gun laws are meant to "help and save people". Go figure."
***starts the slow clap***
My recent post Why Are We So Ok With Mediocrity?
***stands and continues to slow clap***
I'm really against guns, but lets not be foolish and think that gun control laws are some kind of end all and be all type of thing. DC had a restriction on guns for the longest time and it was still the murder capital of the world.
Would the incident in Aurora have been prevented if there were gun control laws? Possibly. But dude had his apartment rigged with tripwire explosives. You really think he wouldn't have found a better way? This wasn't just a random shooting. This was a premeditated, calculated thing. He knew how to do stuff, he knew when people were getting suspicious (like the place he tried to go for target practice, but was refused initially).
Honestly, I'd be in favor of making guns illegal. But just like when we made liquor illegal and people still found their ways to get drunk, people will still find their ways to be destructive, and in particularly to get guns. Or they may be more aggressive and inventive, using things like cars as weapons. Lets not act like this legislation is any end all form of stopping violence. Honestly, if more gun laws were put into place, I doubt they'd impact much on these type of shootings, but they'd almost surely be written to negatively impact young Black men and have more of us wind up in prison.
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I'll start with that I am not a fan of guns. I don't want to shoot a gun or be around them. I grew up in the south where there were guns EVERYWHERE. We had a gun behind every door in the house just in case an intruder came into the house. Everyone should have the right to have a gun. Do they need assault riffles? No. I also don't think we need to change the gun laws. People who want guns will get guns. While I have not looked up the exact stat, I am sure more people are killed per year by handguns than assault riffles. I say this to say that as usual, it's not the gun, it's the people. This guy had an agenda. He could have carried it out a number of ways. He chose using a gun. I don't think one crazy man should dictate our laws or be the reason that we have to change the way we live. Thanks for writing this post. The comments have been interesting.
People should have mastery of the level weapons they're using prior to being able to purchase guns and it's a personal responsibility in understanding of the weapon and the destruction it's capable of. Vendors need to be more regulatory on who they're selling to. States should decide on that;
and when it's done that way, by the time you have an arsenal to the point Federal Laws actually apply you'll likely know what you're doing. Government protects the right and tries to lead by example; however, a lot is put on the government and then citizens flippantly wanna gripe and complain about every little thing which then negatively affects people who actually put in the time to know what they're doing. Those people are the minority and our Constitution protects such people because the bottom line is, guns are bought by citizens so citizens should acquire the proper credentials for their weapons — regardless of government's gun laws. Tragedies happen because PEOPLE don't know what they're doing; VENDORS choose to sell easily. If I were a Senator I'd just require more of my states vendors.
I think the spirit of the 2nd Amendment needs to stay in tact and needs to be promoted the right way. You have the right to bear arms because it is your last line of defense against the government. When the Constitution was created, they were afraid of the British. However, in the 60s and 70s, the Black Panthers were afraid of our own government and they exercised their 2nd Amendment right. We've always had problems with this turning into vigilantism, that's a perfectly good argument. However, there's too many Black men who are targeted by police officers everyday. There's practical examples of people outside of rural America. We're too trusting of our government and local protection agencies if you want to give up that liberty.
About the discussion in the election year about gun control… it has nothing to do with it being an election year, it's because Obama doesn't care about gun control. That's a fact, he just hasn't done anything about it in the last four years, or even during his time in the Senate. Ironically, the city he comes from Chicago, IL is probably the most in need of some gun control laws at the municipal level. It would be a total contradiction for him to speak on it, but moreover, I just don't think he gives a damn.
No shots at Obama.
I see what you did there… he he
People are not even aware how easy it is to get guns without a background check. Legally. It's insane.
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Being from Sweden where gun laws are very restricted I have come in contact with fire arms on three occasions in my life.
1. When being transported through the mountains in the jungle on the border between Thailand and Burma. The driver had a gun as protection bc the guerilla would attack every once in a while.
2. On a busride from Bosnia we were stopped, the bus was emptied and all the passengers were controlled by a man with an ak 5 rifle while his colleagues searched the bus.
3. Walking 125th street one evening when I gentleman got upset that me and my friend refused to give him our phone numbers. He put a gun to my head.
Yeah, guns don't kill people but they make it a helluva lot easier and the easy access seem to make it easier for your average Joe to make really stupid decisions. (on a side note I am still wondering what that guy was thinking – had I given him my number at gun point was he thinking I'd actually pick up when he called and give him access to my box?)
Lol I'm not trying to bring conspiracy into this but everyone can talk about gun control and how the gonvernment needs to do this and needs to do that. Truth is though the gun violence is not going to stop because it is the government who puts the guns out there in the first place.