Gun Legislation

[O Really]

One can only imagine the potential problems with armed amateurs in the schools - look what the theoretical "professional" law enforcement officers do sometimes...

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/0 ... holly.html

Note that nobody said the driver did anything but "display" a handgun, yet look what he's charged with - in addition to being shot.

[O Really]

It's possible, from what was reported, that he looked threatening holding a gun. Actually, if you've got a gun in the car and get stopped, you're required to disclose that you have one. This guy had no concealed carry permit and was (almost) terminally stupid, but it still looks like the Barneys spooked themselves and shot precipitously.

[O Really]

The article doesn't say whether he was carrying in such a way that he needed a concealed carry permit.

Whatever really happened and whatever Jmar Demontae Davis says, unless dash cam footage 100% proves otherwise you can bet the farm that this will be declared a "good shoot".

He could have just had it open on the seat. But my point was that since he didn't have the permit, he probably hadn't read the rules. I agree with you - it will be a "good shoot." It was at least a gun instead of a lighter, a beer can, or a cell phone - all of which have gotten people shot before.

[O Really]

50 calibre semi-auto, $6,700.
http://www.serbu.com/50bmg/semi_auto.php

Anybody want to explain what civilian use there is for this weapon, other than shooting any elephants that wander on to your property trampling down your daisies?

[O Really]

More fun with guns that are mostly dick extenders... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFJjaj7pXsA

[JTA]

50 calibre semi-auto, $6,700.
http://www.serbu.com/50bmg/semi_auto.php

Anybody want to explain what civilian use there is for this weapon, other than shooting any elephants that wander on to your property trampling down your daisies?

If we weren't allowed to bear arms, then how would we defend against those who want to take our guns away?

[Stinger]

50 calibre semi-auto, $6,700.
http://www.serbu.com/50bmg/semi_auto.php

Anybody want to explain what civilian use there is for this weapon?

Compensating for a little dick?

[Stinger]

50 calibre semi-auto, $6,700.
http://www.serbu.com/50bmg/semi_auto.php

Anybody want to explain what civilian use there is for this weapon?

Compensating for a little dick?

Didn't see your next post. You already answered the question.

[Stinger]

50 calibre semi-auto, $6,700.
http://www.serbu.com/50bmg/semi_auto.php

Anybody want to explain what civilian use there is for this weapon, other than shooting any elephants that wander on to your property trampling down your daisies?

If we weren't allowed to bear arms, then how would we defend against those who want to take our guns away?

Good one. The NRA may want to borrow that from you.

[O Really]

I think most of the people talking about wanting a gun "to protect themselves and their families" are following what I call the "Poop Drowning in Nebraska" theory, promulgated heavily by Bleed/lead TV stations. It goes like this: If something awful enough happens anywhere, people can be made afraid of it no matter how slim the chance of it happening to them. I named it because of the incidents where somebody or somebodys drown in a manure pit (Google it - there are several) and the TV news people say "Man and two sons drown in cow poop in Nebraska! Tune in at 11 and we'll tell you how to keep your family safe." Obviously, your risk of drowning in cow poop is non-existent if you don't go to a cow farm, right? And your risk is very low even if you live on a cow farm. But now you're thinking OMG, that's an awful way to go - how oh how can I keep my family from drowning in cow poop?"

I don't have a problem with somebody saying "I want a gun because I like to shoot." But if they say it's for "protection" I'd like to know what they see as a threat. Some perspective: in the US, the 2010 incident rate of all violent crime was about .14. That means that for every 1,000 people, 14 would experience some type of violent crime. In a city of a million, that's about 14,000 incidents, which includes everything reported from simple assault to attempted murder, without regard to actual injury. That sounds like a lot. But to compare, in NC, the incident rate of dying from heart disease is about 1.7 so in that city of a million, 170,000 are going to die from heart disease. Generally, that means that in any given year, you're 12 times more likely to die from heart disease than you are to encounter violent crime of any sort.

And the same principle applies to personal risk that applies to cow poop. Your risk goes way down if you don't hang around outside of bars in the middle of the night, don't have violent arguments with a spouse or have super-nasty breakups, don't drink much if you - or your associates - are a mean drunk, watch where and when you walk alone, etc. But if you do need protection, there isn't a one-size-fits all solution by simply buying or carrying around a gun. There's a big difference between some bad guy looking for a victim and a bad guy looking for you personally. There's a big difference in security needs depending on where you live and who lives close to you. The variables are endless.

IMNVHO, if you're going to claim you want a gun for "protection," you ought to be able to say what you think you need protection from and have a better plan than an Newtown model AR-15 type gun in the house.

[Crock Hunter]

the 2010 incident rate of all violent crime was about .14. That means that for every 1,000 people, 14 would experience some type of violent crime. In a city of a million, that's about 14,000 incidents, .

Isn't that 1.4 and 1,400??? Assuming that's .14%..

Very low chances indeed..

[Wneglia]

I think most of the people talking about wanting a gun "to protect themselves and their families" are following what I call the "Poop Drowning in Nebraska" theory, promulgated heavily by Bleed/lead TV stations. It goes like this: If something awful enough happens anywhere, people can be made afraid of it no matter how slim the chance of it happening to them. I named it because of the incidents where somebody or somebodys drown in a manure pit (Google it - there are several) and the TV news people say "Man and two sons drown in cow poop in Nebraska! Tune in at 11 and we'll tell you how to keep your family safe." Obviously, your risk of drowning in cow poop is non-existent if you don't go to a cow farm, right? And your risk is very low even if you live on a cow farm. But now you're thinking OMG, that's an awful way to go - how oh how can I keep my family from drowning in cow poop?"

I don't have a problem with somebody saying "I want a gun because I like to shoot." But if they say it's for "protection" I'd like to know what they see as a threat. Some perspective: in the US, the 2010 incident rate of all violent crime was about .14. That means that for every 1,000 people, 14 would experience some type of violent crime. In a city of a million, that's about 14,000 incidents, which includes everything reported from simple assault to attempted murder, without regard to actual injury. That sounds like a lot. But to compare, in NC, the incident rate of dying from heart disease is about 1.7 so in that city of a million, 170,000 are going to die from heart disease. Generally, that means that in any given year, you're 12 times more likely to die from heart disease than you are to encounter violent crime of any sort.

And the same principle applies to personal risk that applies to cow poop. Your risk goes way down if you don't hang around outside of bars in the middle of the night, don't have violent arguments with a spouse or have super-nasty breakups, don't drink much if you - or your associates - are a mean drunk, watch where and when you walk alone, etc. But if you do need protection, there isn't a one-size-fits all solution by simply buying or carrying around a gun. There's a big difference between some bad guy looking for a victim and a bad guy looking for you personally. There's a big difference in security needs depending on where you live and who lives close to you. The variables are endless.

IMNVHO, if you're going to claim you want a gun for "protection," you ought to be able to say what you think you need protection from and have a better plan than an Newtown model AR-15 type gun in the house.

Actually, it is considerably lower. 2011 FBI stats peg it at 386 violent crimes per 100,000 population.

[Crock Hunter]

the 2010 incident rate of all violent crime was about .14. That means that for every 1,000 people, 14

Actually, it is considerably lower. 2011 FBI stats peg it at 386 violent crimes per 100,000 population.

ahhhhh..... that's .38%...

Higher than .14%.. Just saying..

[O Really]

Thanks Crock and Doc - no intent to deceive. Arithmetic isn't my strong suit. Still pretty low odds of being a victim, and you can reduce your personal odds a lot with a little effort.

[Wneglia]

the 2010 incident rate of all violent crime was about .14. That means that for every 1,000 people, 14

Actually, it is considerably lower. 2011 FBI stats peg it at 386 violent crimes per 100,000 population.

ahhhhh..... that's .38%...

Higher than .14%.. Just saying..

14 per 1000 = 1400 per 100,000. 1400 is greater than 386.

Just saying.

[Crock Hunter]

the 2010 incident rate of all violent crime was about .14. That means that for every 1,000 people, 14

Actually, it is considerably lower. 2011 FBI stats peg it at 386 violent crimes per 100,000 population.

ahhhhh..... that's .38%...

Higher than .14%.. Just saying..

14 per 1000 = 1400 per 100,000. 1400 is greater than 386.

Just saying.

Yes but O Really's post contained a math error. .14% is 1.4 per 1000 not 14 .. That's 140 per 100,000. Your figure of 386 per 100,000 is .38%.

[O Really]

Michael Moore suggested in Bowling for Columbine that the bigger issue than the guns themselves is the abject terror that Americans live in and are encouraged to live in. To cite one current example, look at all the gun freaks that stood in line and paid premium prices in the post-Sandy Hook rush even though Congress never, ever moves quickly on such issues, if it moves at all.

Our guns are a sign of weakness, not of strength.

Love him or hate him, Moore was dead on in that quote. The US is no longer the "home of the brave" but more like the home of the unnecessarily and unreasonably scared.

[Mad American]

I think most of the people talking about wanting a gun "to protect themselves and their families" are following what I call the "Poop Drowning in Nebraska" theory, promulgated heavily by Bleed/lead TV stations. It goes like this: If something awful enough happens anywhere, people can be made afraid of it no matter how slim the chance of it happening to them. I named it because of the incidents where somebody or somebodys drown in a manure pit (Google it - there are several) and the TV news people say "Man and two sons drown in cow poop in Nebraska! Tune in at 11 and we'll tell you how to keep your family safe." Obviously, your risk of drowning in cow poop is non-existent if you don't go to a cow farm, right? And your risk is very low even if you live on a cow farm. But now you're thinking OMG, that's an awful way to go - how oh how can I keep my family from drowning in cow poop?"

I don't have a problem with somebody saying "I want a gun because I like to shoot." But if they say it's for "protection" I'd like to know what they see as a threat. Some perspective: in the US, the 2010 incident rate of all violent crime was about .14. That means that for every 1,000 people, 14 would experience some type of violent crime. In a city of a million, that's about 14,000 incidents, which includes everything reported from simple assault to attempted murder, without regard to actual injury. That sounds like a lot. But to compare, in NC, the incident rate of dying from heart disease is about 1.7 so in that city of a million, 170,000 are going to die from heart disease. Generally, that means that in any given year, you're 12 times more likely to die from heart disease than you are to encounter violent crime of any sort.

And the same principle applies to personal risk that applies to cow poop. Your risk goes way down if you don't hang around outside of bars in the middle of the night, don't have violent arguments with a spouse or have super-nasty breakups, don't drink much if you - or your associates - are a mean drunk, watch where and when you walk alone, etc. But if you do need protection, there isn't a one-size-fits all solution by simply buying or carrying around a gun. There's a big difference between some bad guy looking for a victim and a bad guy looking for you personally. There's a big difference in security needs depending on where you live and who lives close to you. The variables are endless.

IMNVHO, if you're going to claim you want a gun for "protection," you ought to be able to say what you think you need protection from and have a better plan than an Newtown model AR-15 type gun in the house.

The problem with your "NVHO" is that it is none of your business why anyone owns a gun. It is a simple matter of FREEDOM afforded by the United States Constitution. Why do I own guns? Because I want to, and I can. Simple as that. Do I have one for protection? Yes. However, I also have many others for hunting, shooting, collecting, as well as several different "protection" guns for different situations. What do I feel I need protection from? Anyone that intends to do me or my family harm....simple as that. Yes, the statistical chances of that ever happening are low. However, that chances still exists, I want to be prepared in case it ever does happen, and I have a Constitutional right to be ready.

[O Really]

IMNVHO, if you're going to claim you want a gun for "protection," you ought to be able to say what you think you need protection from and have a better plan than an Newtown model AR-15 type gun in the house.

The problem with your "NVHO" is that it is none of your business why anyone owns a gun. It is a simple matter of FREEDOM afforded by the United States Constitution. Why do I own guns? Because I want to, and I can. Simple as that. Do I have one for protection? Yes. However, I also have many others for hunting, shooting, collecting, as well as several different "protection" guns for different situations. What do I feel I need protection from? Anyone that intends to do me or my family harm....simple as that. Yes, the statistical chances of that ever happening are low. However, that chances still exists, I want to be prepared in case it ever does happen, and I have a Constitutional right to be ready.[/quote]
Your paranoia is showing again, Mad. Or maybe I wasn't clear. When I said "you ought to be able to say what you think you need protection from..." I didn't mean literally telling me or the damgummint. I just meant that if the sum of ones understanding of self- and home defense is "buy a gun for protection" then that's not a very well protected person or home.

Being required to state a reason for keeping a particular type of weapon is a different subject. But that's not unconstitutional, either, and is currently a requirement for some weapons now. I'd personally add some more to the existing list if it were my decision.

[Mad American]

Your paranoia is showing again, Mad. Or maybe I wasn't clear. When I said "you ought to be able to say what you think you need protection from..." I didn't mean literally telling me or the damgummint. I just meant that if the sum of ones understanding of self- and home defense is "buy a gun for protection" then that's not a very well protected person or home.

Being required to state a reason for keeping a particular type of weapon is a different subject. But that's not unconstitutional, either, and is currently a requirement for some weapons now. I'd personally add some more to the existing list if it were my decision.

O really do you have a fire extinguisher in your kitchen, anywhere in your home, perhaps your car or boat (if you own one)? If you do then YOUR paranoia is showing...because if the sum of YOUR understanding of home/auto/boat fire protection is "buy a fire extinguisher" than that is not a very fire safe home/auto/boat.