More Americans Killed by Guns Since 1968 Than in All U.S. Wars — Combined

[Captain Obvious]

Deaths are deaths. Is inconvenience a good reason to make guns as easy to purchase as a can of soup? There is a reason why criminals have such easy access to weapons.

So take away guns from law abiding citizens and allow criminals to continue to obtain them illegally?

Sorry no, I will always oppose that approach.

Train another pony and bring it to the show and maybe I'll watch.

[Mister D]

Deaths are deaths. Is inconvenience a good reason to make guns as easy to purchase as a can of soup? There is a reason why criminals have such easy access to weapons.

Yes, deaths are deaths but suicides are not murders. It's a transparent attempt to flesh out statistics that just aren't that alarming. It reminds me of the way rags like Time inflate the number of interracial marriages by over 100% by including Hispanic and non-Hispanic couplings. You have to either willing or stupid to fall for this stuff.

[Mister D]

Is inconvenience a good reason to make guns as easy to purchase as a can of soup?

This is the sort of comment that makes it all too clear that gun control advocates generally have no idea what they're talking about.

[Dr. Who]

BTW, yes, "suicide ideation" also fades among those with serious illnesses once treated for depression but we don't care about that do we...

So why not deregulate all controlled substances, including all pharmaceuticals? Why even require prescriptions? Put them all on the shelf with a pamphlet of warnings contained within each package. People have the right to the pursuit of happiness. That includes, by definition access to painkillers, soporifics and any medicines necessary for treatment of illnesses. You can't be happy if you are in pain or suffering from the symptoms of disease. It should therefore be irrelevant that people are irresponsible, illiterate or drug addicted. If they are intent on suicide, let them buy as many pills as they need to do the job. If they are illiterate and take the wrong meds, who cares? They should have learned to read. If they are drug addicted and OD, again, who cares? One less addict. Who cares if they sell them to kids? Their parents should have been more vigilant. Let the drug stores make the profits that the drug dealers now make. It's all good.

While we are at it, let's just remove all of those pesky regs surrounding freedom of speech. If you are libelled or slandered, too bad for you. If you share military secrets, tough. If you threaten people verbally or in writing, pfft, suck it up. Let's just make all rights absolute.

[Dr. Who]

So take away guns from law abiding citizens and allow criminals to continue to obtain them illegally?

Sorry no, I will always oppose that approach.

Train another pony and bring it to the show and maybe I'll watch.

I didn't say take away, I said restrict to something sensible i.e. anyone can own a handgun and a rifle, beyond one of each, they should have to show cause and obtain an appropriate license. It makes absolutely no sense that there are more guns in America than people and that includes minor children or that half of the population owns the majority of the guns and that doesn't include the millions of guns that are unknown and in the hands of criminals or in people's attics. The regulatory laxity and sheer volume of weapons owned and being legally sold on a daily basis are responsible for the ridiculous gun death stats, including death at the hands of criminals. They are also responsible for the ridiculous costs of policing, investigation, criminal incarceration, weapons trafficking, medical costs associated with gunshot wounds, legal defense costs, trial costs ... I could go on. I wonder how much of your tax bills, federal, state and municipal, are charges directly related to the consequences of guns?

[Perianne]

I think I am going to go buy that Ruger 556 tomorrow. This thread has gotten me in the mood.

[Dr. Who]

This is the sort of comment that makes it all too clear that gun control advocates generally have no idea what they're talking about.

When you buy a gun at a private sale, it's as easy to buy as a can of soup.

[Peter1469]

Take the suicides out and let's look at the numbers.

[Captain Obvious]

When you buy a gun at a private sale, it's as easy to buy as a can of soup.

Easier.

I bought a .22 at a gun show. Handed the guy a hundred bucks, he handed me the rifle. No words spoken.

It misfires but that's another story.

[Captain Obvious]

I think I am going to go buy that Ruger 556 tomorrow. This thread has gotten me in the mood.

I'm looking at a glock 9mm also, might accelerate that purchase.