Posts by MeanMrMustard

Whilst there are lots of grey areas around gun ownership there is a simple reality. Every year thousands of people die as a result of gun related incidents in the US, far more than per capita than most other countries, especially if you look at moderate democratic countries in Europe.

Here we go. Statistics... we can argue over these for months. For example, are you including suicide in those gun deaths? Are you considering all the prevented crime (good guys with guns) doesn't get put on air? Are you considering net effect on crime in general? It is complex. There are many, many interconnecting variables. Having government lawmakers fuss with them like dials and levers often makes it worse because of unforeseen consequences.

If nothing changes in the way America approaches gun ownership either legislatively or culturally then America will have to accept that incidents like Columbine, Sandy Hook, Orlando, Virgina Tech and Las Vegas etc are going to continue to happen. By accepting that the incidents will happen then by implication you are accepting that this is the price to be paid for maintaining the gun culture that exists.

If you are not proposing changing the law, then you are proposing changing the culture. How do you manage that? What does it mean to change the culture? What ideas are toxic in the culture specifically?

I am not advocating changing laws for the sake of it, especially when the root problems for a specific crime may lie outside of what can be legislated (e.g. mental health or criminal activity for example). I understand that for those determined to do something then the law is no deterrent. I also understand that removing guns does not remove the threat of death through some other criminal and violent act.

Fair enough.

What I don't understand is the apparent lack of will to formulate some kind of change. Those like the NRA simply throw the same arguments out that absolve anyone with a gun of any responsibility. Politicians can do nothing due to the gun lobby. Those representing the so called responsible gun owning citizens want to maintain a position where there is no restriction to the type, quantity and capability of weapon available.

The "nutters" are always on the defensive, that's why. The blood from these people hasn't even dried on their lifeless bodies and the left comes out and wants to ban guns. There can't be a discussion about what might actually ail the patient when the left wants to cover him with leeches.

So far I have not seen a report detailing the type of weapon used here. Everyone seems to think it was automatic, and not legal. What does that imply? In other words, there are limits. Yet, this ass hole got around them. The limits didn't matter.

Here is an interesting exercise. Google how to convert a semi-automatic AR-15 to fully automatic. I found a YouTube video on how to do it. And I found a document outlining how to make your own AR-15 block. All you need are some good machining tools, most of which you can get at Sears.

Just because the problem is complex does not mean those with a vested interest cannot even try to work things out to have some positive effect on it.

I agree. But it does mean there will be a simple legislative "fix".

From what I can see, everytime something like Vegas happens the gun lobby put their hands over their ears and shout "lalalalalalala nothing to do with us".

No, they make a lot of noise in response to talks about gun bans.

Change is formulated through discussion, compromise and a willingness to accept responsibility where responsibility is due. This seems totally lacking in how the gun lobby approach the problem.

Responsibility for the Vegas shooting lies directly on the shoulders of shooter. It does not fall on the second amendment or "nutters". I do agree there should be a discussion.

In any case, I still appreciate your post, so I +1ed it.

146

Just woke up turn TV on to hear yet another nut case with a gun.

by Still Totally ADD in

jw
friends

first they said 20 dead with 100 injured.

now i just heard 50 dead and 200 injured.

whatever it is it just another nut case who was able to get a high power gun to kill people.

MeanMrMustard

Still no motive for this guy. There has to be some reason.

146

Just woke up turn TV on to hear yet another nut case with a gun.

by Still Totally ADD in

jw
friends

first they said 20 dead with 100 injured.

now i just heard 50 dead and 200 injured.

whatever it is it just another nut case who was able to get a high power gun to kill people.

MeanMrMustard

I don't think knee jerk reactions would work and I am under no illusions that even if all guns were banned there would not be a significant time for the access to weapons to really decrease but I don't think that is an argument to do nothing and accept the status quo.

I do not agree. Would a doctor start cutting into a patient just because “something” has to be done? It is very likely the doctor would make matters worse, not better.

Nobody, including the “nutters”, are saying stick with the status quo. What is being said is that you are cutting into patient because you are upset at the ass hole that did this - but don’t make it worse. Passing a law affects the law abiding. If it turns out the weapons used are already illegal, what does that imply about further legislation? To me it implies that the “something” we should do has nothing to do with more gun laws.

There really is no reason for your average citizen to own them.

There is if bad guys have them and good guys do not.

146

Just woke up turn TV on to hear yet another nut case with a gun.

by Still Totally ADD in

jw
friends

first they said 20 dead with 100 injured.

now i just heard 50 dead and 200 injured.

whatever it is it just another nut case who was able to get a high power gun to kill people.

MeanMrMustard

I agree with WingCommander and scratchme. Would also add - best to ignore the first 24 hours of media coverage. Or at least take everything with a grain of salt. Wait for actual confirmed facts.

117

Why the NFL Protest Is a Massive and Insulting Failure

by freemindfade in

i think everyone has the freedom to protest, they also have freedom of speech, these are two fundamental things that make america amazing.

but thinking rationally about what is going on with the nfl, therefore, i have an unfavorable opinion of the league, and the players, not their right to free speech, but their motive and execution of it.

constitutional freedom to protest ends at the workplace door too.

MeanMrMustard

@Rattigan350:

Flawed logic.

The Nazis also wore underwear. If I choose to wear underwear, am I a Nazi?

117

Why the NFL Protest Is a Massive and Insulting Failure

by freemindfade in

i think everyone has the freedom to protest, they also have freedom of speech, these are two fundamental things that make america amazing.

but thinking rationally about what is going on with the nfl, therefore, i have an unfavorable opinion of the league, and the players, not their right to free speech, but their motive and execution of it.

constitutional freedom to protest ends at the workplace door too.

MeanMrMustard

@Brokeback: Nobody is suggesting taking away the right to stand or sit. It has always been "sit, stand, or kneel" all you want. It is a tad bit different for the players since they have employment contracts, and they agreed to stand with their hand over their heart as part of the terms of employment. It's just that the NFL hasn't held them to it.

But! - The fans want to stand. The fans want the players to stand. The fans know the requirement is in the contracts.

Personally, I don't care if they sit, stand, or crap their pants during the anthem. It just bugs me that the reason they give is propoganda at worst and stupidity at best.

Why should the NFL respond to Donald Trump? Shouldn't they tell their customers that they are, in fact, wrong and should get on board with skipping the patriotism because ... well ... you know ... white supremacy and stuff? Why do you think this started with Trump?

117

Why the NFL Protest Is a Massive and Insulting Failure

by freemindfade in

i think everyone has the freedom to protest, they also have freedom of speech, these are two fundamental things that make america amazing.

but thinking rationally about what is going on with the nfl, therefore, i have an unfavorable opinion of the league, and the players, not their right to free speech, but their motive and execution of it.

constitutional freedom to protest ends at the workplace door too.