I drive a motorcycle. In order to operate this piece of equipment, I needed to take a weekend long safety course, pass a test, and get a license.

There are speed limits posted, and (okay, maybe not in NH) I have to wear a helmet. Why?

These regulations are in place because motorcycles are dangerous. Those rules are there to protect me as well as other motorists on the road.

None of those regulations are in place for a gun, a piece of equipment that is made for killing or destroying.

The second amendment says:
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

I won’t even get into the “well regulated militia” part – I’ll stick to the “right to keep and bear arms” part.

Many Americans take this as, “We have the right to own and operate any weapon we want!”

What are ‘arms’? Definition: A weapon, arm, or armament is a tool or instrument used in order to inflict damage or harm to enemies or other living beings, structures, or systems.

Nuclear weapons are arms. Can, or should, private people own a nuclear weapon? Because we can’t, is that infringing on our second amendment?

I’m sick of hearing people say that a few nut cases shouldn’t make it so everyone is punished. I’m sorry that a bunch of kids getting slaughtered ruined your fun. It’s time to rethink our gun policies.

Guns are not what they were when the Constitution was written. As far as I’m concerned, you’re all allowed your muskets.

OMG brilliant! Thank you Ellie!

amen.

I approve this message wholeheartedly.

That was the best argument I've heard on the subject. Particularly gripping is the motorcycle helmet part. Yeah, that law varies by state, but it's fascinating that a law whose breakage damages the law-breaker

more than anyone else would be less of an issue, more of a commonplace, than laws that can affect many.

Nods

A few nutcases shouldn't make it so that everyone is punished. In school we don't punish the whole class when it's just one kid acting up.

That being said, I don't think having a few more rules, a few more hoops to jump through, should be considered punishment either. It's just common sense.

CirceBunny: can you (or anyone) explain why people would need/want automatic and semi-automatic weapons and armor piercing bullets?

This is not meant to be combative, it is a genuine question about something for which I haven't heard an answer other than "because we can".

I don't know anything AT ALL about guns, so I'm wondering if there is an actual reason to own one.

Na, I've never understood the assault weapons or semi-automatic thing. High power only if you're hunting water buffalo on a regular basis. Armor piercing for the buffalos too, otherwise you just tick them off.

Beyond that, na. But technically, I guess you could say that "because we can" of almost anything. Why to we need plaques of fish that sing, or pokemon cards, or broccoli? I don't know that there's a reason.

I'm in support of the right to bear arms, but I think you ought to have to get a license, to take a class, and not be able to buy them at trade shows or on the internet or whatever. And personally, and go ahead

and flail me if you want, but I think if you've any history of mental illness, of any kind, you shouldn't be allowed. Blaming the guns is easy. Access of guns too. The fact is, you cannot keep people safe.

You can take precautions. You can do your utmost to protect. But if someone is determined to cause mayhem, you really can't stop them. They'll find a way to circumvent the precautions or whatever.

But you can make it harder on them, and I don't really see a problem with that. You're not telling people they can't have their guns, you're just telling them they need to be responsible about it, & reasonable.

But... since we don't have a predominance of water buffaloes around here, I'm not much seeing why some are allowed. I'd like a rocket launcher as much as the next bunny, but it's just not a good idea.

The UN is coming for your guns - the popular conspiracy theory right now.

most gun owners, even NRA members support things like background checks and mental health screening and even bans on certain types of guns. It's the squawking nutbars that are ruining everything for everyone

CirceBunny: OK so it seems we pretty much agree on the automatic weapons.

Now as to your response to the "because we can" thing, singing fish on plaques, Pokemon cards and broccoli aren't likely to kill 20 children

within 5 minutes. As everybody knows I personally don't like or see a need for any guns at all, but understand the hunting and sports

thing. I also realize it's unlikely we'll achieve European levels of gun controls any time soon. But I absolutely feel that a federal ban on

automatic and semi-automatic weapons is necessary. A permanent ban.

I dunno... I have my doubts about the broccoli. But if you're determined, you could bludgeon someone to death with a donut. Yes, that'd take more time, but it could be done.

Someone determined is going to cause trouble. Poison in the water, gassing kids from the chem lab, releasing a virus... anything can be a weapon. Can't ban it all.

But I don't see how it could hurt to just make the process more difficult for everyone.

Assault weapons are made for one purpose - assault. We can come up with millions of creative ways to kill people, but those weren't made for the exclusive purpose of doing so.

it would have taken a long time for the Newtown killer to bash through the glass security area at Sandy Hook Elementary with a donut.

Actually, if he'd just said he was bringing them for a kid it would've been faster. Security in elementary schools, at least the ones I've worked in, is a joke. Anyone can come in, at any time.

You're supposed to self check in, and wear a sticker, but nobody asks for ID or to inspect bags or anything.

how do you feel about carrying on the job Circe? Six states are pushing bills ot allow or even require teachers and school personnell to carry on the job

Teachers should not be allowed. Far too tempting some days. lol. But na, you can't keep your eyes on your stuff all day long, so unless it's on your hip every second, you wouldn't have control of it.

plus it would scare the kids