Support for gun control dwindling in America

The Iraq war has proven what those opposed to gun control have been saying. If everyone in the country owns a gun, it is not possible to conquer the country. That's why the U.S. is having such a difficult time conquering Iraq. Of course they do have improvised explosive devices. Perhaps we should make IEDs available to all Americans. Then we would be much more secure. We could call on all automobile manufacturers to install car bombs in every new car. Then we would be really safe from foreign invaders.

Gun control laws in this country are a joke. They affect only law-abiding citizens who wish to be able to defend themselves. Virtually every night in Chicago, there is gun violence and armed robberies by criminals who have no problem getting and using guns. They rent them by the hour, for Pete's sake. Know how many criminals turned in guns in the last buy-back program? Zero!

Wolverines!!!!!

Iraq is safe because their citizens have unfettered access to guns. AK-47s, RPGs, you name it Iraq is safe and you can thank guns for this transformation.

So, Winchester, where do all those illegal guns come from?

Gun Control Works!
Just ask the generals of Myanmar!

The tide turned in October of 2001 – one month after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 – when Gallup found that support for stricter laws had fallen to 53 percent.

Yep...you may have to shoot down one of those planes next time.

Interesting that a newspaper that was viciously anti gun just a few weeks ago, suddenly takes a less anti gun view. Falling circulation and a realization that an ultra left stance is not getting circulation anywhere have anything to do with it?

And, forget Iraq. Take Chicago's South Side. Didn't Hizzoner Richard Daley decree that it would be the safest place on earth because guns are completely banned there? The last I heard, the 400 plus people who get killed there every year must be shot by little green men from Mars.

Winchester is right.

There will always be guns...good or bad, its like pandora's box. To prevent the govenment from having unbalanced power with an unarmed citizenship (ala Myanmar), the 2nd amendment was wisely signed in to law by our forefathers. Criminals could care less about the written law and what gun control measures that are on the books. Unfortunately, as a society we must accept that some criminals will obtain weapons legally or illegally for illegal purposes. That being said, the more you restrict the rights of the law abiding citizens, the more likely that criminals will have the upper hand. By contrast, look at the States that allow concealed weapons permits. Statistically, violent crimes in those states are ALWAYS lower than states with heavy gun control laws.

The citizens of Darfur gave up their firearms for the promise that the United Nations would protect them. What a deal!
Disarmament always preceeds geoncide!

Johnson; You been to Albuquerque lately? New Mexico allows concealed weapons permits. Lower violent crime rate in Albuquerque? I don't think so. Perhaps the most dangerous city in America.

Why the name Winchester? Have Colt 45 and Smith & Wesson already been taken?

Gun rights advocates alway tout the Constitution as the legitimizer of every American citizen carrying a gun. Regulation of guns is not on the table for these extremists. Therefore, every child in this nation should be allowed to own a gun. Why? Because the constitution says so. It does not say children can't own guns. That sounds stoopid don't it. But the reasoning of these gun freaks is stoopid. The reason the war in Iraq has lasted so long is cuz the people have guns. Boy! If only gun freaks could be given a lobotomy things would improve immensely.

A quiz!
What does every illegal hand gun have in common?

Answer; At one time it was a legal gun.

I do not have an answer, but illegal guns came from legal ones.

Yeah! Guns suck! we would all be better off if they were banned. Bush and his gun lovin buddies are responsible for all the violence in this country!

New Quiz
What Does every stolen car have in common
At one point they weren't stolen!!
BAN CARS
What does every criminal have in common
At one point they weren't criminals
BAN EVERYONE!!
YAY

Since I live in the Poeples Republic of Illinois, I want concealed carry to include training. Only Wisconsin and Illinois don't have concealed carry. Law abiding citizens have nothing to fear from guns in the hands of good people. Thieves think twice about a guy or gal having a gun.The 2nd Amendment is important for all of America. Register criminals not guns. The thugs get guns with every robbery they don't buy them from gun dealers that's why crime rates are so high in Chicago. Jerry White, Springfield, IL

Since I live in the Poeples Republic of Illinois, I want concealed carry to include training. Only Wisconsin and Illinois don't have concealed carry. Law abiding citizens have nothing to fear from guns in the hands of good people. Thieves think twice about a guy or gal having a gun.The 2nd Amendment is important for all of America. Register criminals not guns. The thugs get guns with every robbery they don't buy them from gun dealers that's why crime rates are so high in Chicago. Jerry White, Springfield, IL

New Quiz
What Does every stolen car have in common
At one point they weren't stolen!!
BAN CARS
What does every criminal have in common
At one point they weren't criminals
BAN EVERYONE!!
YAY

Try reading a little harder "anonymous". I did not support nor critisize the banning on guns. I simply stated that we may need to start at the beginning. Trying to compare stolen cars with guns. Might I suggest a more appropriate user name, like duh.

Jerry White,
A cop went on a rampage in WI. More than training is needed to carry a gun.

I don't think the second amendment was meant to help protect America from attack from without, but from within.
Actually, the reason our forefathers wrote the second amendment was to protect us against illegal governments who would corrupt and ignore our constitution. Something like a president who would violate our legal and human rights. Maybe someone who would decide it is OK to torture people, if you think they're lying or some such thing. Maybe someone who would illegally spy on Americans. Perhaps a leader who would deny the right to a lawyer and legal defense to some people he thought was especially threatening. Looking at our current administration, in the White House, perhaps I should arm myself.

Gun nuts carry concealed hand guns because the make them feel bigger and more important. Same reason some people drive hummers and wear coyboy boots.

Why are we not going to see any gun control? Bush and his pals, that's why! If we banned guns, how would Cheney shoot his friends in the face? oh, that's right they're above the law. Hey, Jerry White, why do you go on a hunting trip with your pal Dick Cheney?

"Bush and his gun loving buddies" a poster says...

Reminds me of the meaningless phrase "nigger lover" that southern Democrats used to love to use.

ni**er lover, why are you saying southern democrats? that's BUSH'S voting base! You are a stupid little man with no mind of your own.

Why are we not going to see any gun control? Bush and his pals, that's why! If we banned guns, how would Cheney shoot his friends in the face? oh, that's right they're above the law. Hey, Jerry White, why do you go on a hunting trip with your pal Dick Cheney?

I will hunt with Dick, you go driving with Ted!

Elitists hate guns because guns make them feel more afraid and insecure than usual. Same reason some people pay big money for bottled tap water and drive hybrids.

Leave a great man like Ted Kennedy out of it! He has served his public for more years than your beloved Bush and Cheney put together!

I carry a gun all day every day. I carry openly about half the time, concealed about half.

The sheriffs of my small corner of Colorado have issued approximately 8,000 permits to carry concealed handguns since 1995. Not a single one has ever been revoked for a firearms-related offense.

I teach courses that qualify people for the permit. I've never had to flunk a student for unsafe behavior or inattention. Without exception, they're level-headed, responsible citizens. At the end of each class, I tell them, "May you always have a gun near to hand, and may you never need it."

I doubt it's a mere coincidence my small corner of Colorado boasts a violent crime rate considerably lower than Denver's.

This kid must have been inspired by you gun toting idiots and clowns in the Swamp:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/11/student.arsenal/index.html

When will you learn?

Yeah, the biggest threat to your safety?
That loaded .357 in the bedside table.

And Dick Cheney Gotta Gun. We know he's not qualified to carry.

A huge number of Americans cannot be trusted to be good neighbors by picking up their side of the alley, mowing regularly, or driving safely, yet we are supposed to trust them as qualified to own assault weapons and carry concealed handguns.

I, a lefty liberal on the other hand, am actually trained and qualified on the M14, M16, and semi-automatic side arms.

Beyond that, I received training in bare handed killing.

2nd Amendment fundies don't have a clue.

Standing Wolf,

What are you afraid of out there in the great state of Colorado?

I traveled to the City of Chicago for work and entertainment for years and never once felt the need to pack heat.

Standing Wolf,

Dr Freud says he wants to up your schedule to twice a week....

A gun is a tool, an inantimate object, Intrinsically, neither good nor bad. As with fire or water, for example, such tools as fire can warm us or burn down our house; water can nourish and support life, or flood us out and drown us.
Firearms protect innocent life (in the U.S.) at least 4 times more often than criminal use.

Hey, Standing Wolf!

Do you support the reintroduction of wolves in Idaho, Wyoming, etc?

"A gun is a tool, an inantimate object, Intrinsically, neither good nor bad. As with fire or water, for example, such tools as fire can warm us or burn down our house; water can nourish and support life, or flood us out and drown us." dbjack46

Yoda,

Thanks for making all so clear. I never realized any of that!

dbjack,

Can't live without fire. Can't live without water. Can live without guns.

Don't believe the stats the NRA feeds you.

5,000 kids killed in the USA by gun violence in the US in oner year vs, about 50 in the UK, and none in Japan.

And those were just the innocent kids. The overall numbers are much much higher.

Thieves think twice about a guy or gal having a gun.

Right, which explains why thieves shoot policemen all the time, who they KNOW have a gun. Sorry, this concealed carry justification won't hunt. That being said, how's about we forbid bans on EVERYTHING. That's my position. No bans on guns. No bans on abortion. No bans on liquor. No bans on drug consumption, legal or illegal. Either you believe bans work or you don't. Pick yer poison.

There's a great deal less to be feared in my little corner of Colorado than most of the country.

That's not to say we don't have violent predators, because we do. We have illegal aliens, gangs, drunken drivers, individuals high and/or drunk on this and that, et cetera. We have fewer of them per square mile than most of the nation for a number of reasons, including a police force that gets out of its vehicles and walks alleys instead of just shining lights into them, a court system that tries to take action against criminals, and lots of people who are ready, willing, and able to fight back against the predators.

Things were different when I lived in the People's Republic of California, where I had no legal right to defend my life except at home. I lived in fear then of the far more numerous, far more blatantly fearless criminals. When I'd had a bellyful of living in fear in my own neighborhood, I moved back to the United States.

I don't live in that kind of fear any more. I'm sure I don't need to carry a gun any more than a parachute. That said™, I believe our civil rights are a lot like muscles and I.Q. points: they benefit greatly from regular, frequent exercise. I believe those who are afraid to exercise our civil rights don't still have them.

One of the reasons I carry openly much of the time is to encourage people to strike up conversations with me. Oddly enough, the last person who did so, (about a year ago,) was a four- or five-year-old kid in a barber shop. I'd gone in, signed the book, waited awhile, had my hair cut, paid the lady, and was leaving after a total of about 40 minutes when the little pipsqueak piped up, "Gee, Mister! Nice gun!" Nobody else in the place had so much as noticed my openly hip-holstered .357 magnum revolver. I thanked the laddie, nodded and smiled to his mom, who clearly wasn't at all upset, and continue to have my hair cut there. It's not common to see people packing iron around here; I'm just trying to make it more common: that's all.

I sincerely believe America would be a far happier, safer, saner, and more polite nation if millions of us were to keep and bear arms openly, peaceably, and to good civic purpose.

Gotta love the guys that tell us a well trained gun possessor is not a threat to his fellow citizens.

I'd love to have a short conversation with Patrick Tillman right about now.

"Leave a great man like Ted Kennedy out of it! He has served his public for more years than your beloved Bush and Cheney put together!"

Ted Kennedy is a killer? He killed that little girl, saved himself and ruined lives so don't be such a hypocrite.

Personally I'm glad more people are favoring the right to keep and Bear Firearms!

" Don't believe the stats the NRA feeds you.

5,000 kids killed in the USA by gun violence in the US in oner year vs, about 50 in the UK, and none in Japan.

And those were just the innocent kids. The overall numbers are much much higher."

More people die in swimming pools!

Leave a great man like Ted Kennedy out of it! He has served his public for more years than your beloved Bush and Cheney put together!

Posted by: Anonymous | October 11, 2007 4:57 PM

Sure he has. He has shown us how to use your power and corruption to get away with murder. He has shown the ability to buy and sell his votes, using his "name". The only thing EK has done is taken up oxygen and space. He is useless, and the poster child for greed and corruption. The only consolation is that he will end up in the same hot afterlife and his brothers.

According to the Chicago Police Department:

88% of murderers have previous criminal records.

76% of murder victims have previous criminal records.

48% of murders are tied to drug and/or gang activity.

Guns are not the problem.

Ok, so there are a lot of anti-gun people on the board. That is your choice, but don't try to push your beliefs on other people.

It is FBI stats that show that firearms help prevent anywhere between 2 and 4 million violent crimes a year. This isn't NRA numbers and it is not the Brandy Bunch's number. These stats are coming from FBI numbers. So what is better 1500 (after factoring our children killed related to gang to gang violence) children killed a year or 3 million women raped and or killed a year?

I am not saying that the law abiding victims killed in this country by firearms is ok, but it is one of the lowest causes of death for any age group.

All I ask of Anti-gunners is to go and do some research on your own. Don't use NRA numbers and don't use the Brady Bunch's numbers. Look at FBI and Dept of Justice numbers, you will find it quite surprising. Do you know that most numbers you see of children killed include people to the age of 21 and does not account for if they were involved in criminal activity at the time they were killed?

Wake up and do some research. Quite trying to fight your anti stance using emotion only. I will be more than happy to debate with anyone using data and not emotion. I also always verify my data is from a source that not skew it to meet their needs and desires.

Police will never ever ever be there when and if you need them. NEVER!!!

Get your conceal permit, Train yourself and arm yourself.

I was in a place where a gunman shot 9 people. If I had had a gun and known how to use it, maybe it would have been a lot fewer.

To all the wannabe gun grabbers out there, IF guns are so, so bad, why don't you put a sign on your front door that says "GUN FREE HOME! NO GUNS HERE!"?

Gun Control only takes the guns from the people who obey the law. You see how bad the crime is now, and it will only get worse when our guns are taken away. The problem is that some people in Washingtoon can't see that. With regard to the Iraq comment on this page, the only reason it's so violent over there is that those people think that they will go to heaven if they die for their religion. If they had no weapons, they would use other creative methods to kill the troops.

OK well we have people on both sides and in the middle. I am very very pro gun and even pro war. I am sitting in Iraq as we write. I don't have a problem with this. I have several assault rifles and hand guns. I am very highly trained in thier use. I have never commited a crime with any of them and never ever intend to. I have faught for my rights and I'm on my second tour. You don't have to be a gun owner but don't try to tell me I can't have something. I have paid in blood for my rights damn you.

You don't NEED a fast car because they are capable of breaking the speed limit so you are not allowed to own a corvette. How would that make you feel. Our nation unfortunately has turned into a bunch of sorry little babies. Grow up a little. Stop whineing so much you are getting very annoying. If you are so anti Gun and anti constitutional rights you are free to move to a "safer" country that doesn't have the school shootings and other such problems.

I would hunt with cheney and I would let him walk in front. I would not ride with Teds drunk butt though.

Nick

Two non-partisan, respected federal government agencies examined gun controls and found no statistically significant evidence to support their effectiveness. In 2004, the National Academy of Sciences reviewed 253 journal articles, 99 books, and 43 government publications evaluating 80 gun-control measures. The researchers could not identify a single gun-control regulation that reduced violent crime, suicide, or accidents. A year earlier, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on an independent evaluation of firearms and ammunition bans, restrictions on acquisition, waiting periods, registration, licensing, child access prevention laws, and zero tolerance laws - conclusion: none of the laws had a meaningful impact on gun violence. Based on those statistics, there is a compelling argument that Americans deserve an opportunity to defend themselves by possessing suitable firearms.

A review of international and some domestic evidence,” by professors Don B. Kates and Gary Mauser, shows that gun proliferation and ease of access have little to do with increasing total murder and suicide rates. The study focused on industrialized European countries. Luxembourg had the lowest gun ownership rates, but had five times the murder rate of the other countries. Russia had very low gun ownership rates, yet had 10 times the murder rates. Poland was the only anomaly, with lower murder rates and low gun ownership rates (however, guns are not banned in Poland).

Gun control is racist -- its net effect is to disarm the urban poor who are at the greatest risk of victimization, who can least afford to provide their own personal protection, and who are accorded the least protection by the government.

Gun control is elitist -- its net effect is to disarm those who are likely to be victims of crime, while elected officials rest secure in their upscale neighborhoods with high-level security protection, or who move behind a phalanx of taxpayer-funded security personnel who are armed with automatic or semi-automatic firearms that are too expensive, due to "gun control" regulations, for most ordinary citizens to own.

Time and time again we hear that if we pass just one more gun control law that we'll save lives. However, who will answer why the previous gun control laws that made the same promises failed and how more of the same will achieve anything different?

Some people have correctly argued that pursing the same policies in Iraq will not reduce violence. Why, then, do some of these same individuals pursue the same failed policies of gun control here at home pretending it will reduce violence?

After approximately 40+ years of the majority of gun control being passed in this nation at the federal, state, and local levels, and not one single independent academic study has shown any of these laws to have had a positive impact at reducing crime, who on earth is foolish enough to claim with a straigth face that more gun control will lead to a more peaceful society?!?!?!

"Gotta love the guys that tell us a well trained gun possessor is not a threat to his fellow citizens.

I'd love to have a short conversation with Patrick Tillman right about now."

Posted by: RNCB>>>>>

RNCB,
Scene 1.
Somone is breaking into my house. I have no gun.
I think I will dial 911. 20 min later the cops show up maybe to mop up the blood.
Scene2.
You are being carjacked.
Oh just a secound Mr. Carjack man while I call 911 on my cell phone.
10 min later you are patched through to your local police, meanwhile you have a stab wound to the heart and no car.

I could go on but even with your low intelect I am sure you can figure out that THE COPS WILL NOT BE THERE. NEVER EVER when you need them. You are on your own.

Hey if the students at VT would have been armed as well then Mr. Cho would probably not been able to accomplish as much damage as he did. I'm just saying is all.

I'm glad that when I go placess in public my .45 goes with me openly in a nice kydex holster. The people I see at the local gas station actually thank me cause they know the place won't get robbed at least not while I'm there.

I wish crime were lower than it is I wish that people did not have to get shot all the time. It is very sad that we have individuals that act like animals in this country. But guess what? we do have these people around here and if you stick your head in the sand and just think you'll be ok then you are stupid not only that but you are what we call SHEEPLE. I know for a fact that if I were a criminal all I would have to do is look at your bumper stickers to find out who the easy victim is. Pro life? more likely to own a gun: bad target. Clinton in 09: very easy target. NRA sticker: bad idea.

Guess which bumper sticker I have?

There are several reasons for the shift in attitudes.

First, recent years have demonstrated the failure of handgun bans to disarm criminals in a variety of foreign countries. (Our experience with heroin and cocaine bans only reinforce this lesson.)

Second, since the middle 90s the internet has allowed pro-gun people to neutralize the mainstream media's anti-gun propaganda with counterarguments.

Third, the spread of gang culture, combined with society's reduced tolerance for racial profiling in policing, leaves people with more need for self-protection than in earlier decades.

Fourth, the growth of terrorism has forced people to realize that many violent criminals are not victims of society deserving of our sympathy.

I'd rather go hunting with Dick Cheney than go riding in a car with Teddy.

Read the same report 'Johann'. Just proves availability of firearms is not a factor when it comes to homicide and suicide. Unless you just look at usage of firearms which means you are an idiot because you should be trying to prevent both in general instead of focusing on firearms. To me, gun control is an excuse. An excuse for not fixing the true problems within society. Homicide and suicide rates are determined by economic, social, cultural, and other factors. Availability of a firearm has nothing to do with it.

"WHAT IF" is what gun grabbers use for more gun control. But the "WHAT IF" phrase, if applied to every thing in life. Nobody would ever leave their house.

If you don't like the rules this country made you are more than free to leave. I heard there are a lot of openings in mexico as of late.

There are so many guns in the U.S. you will never be able to ban them all. You will never be able to find 10% of them let alone all of them. The million mom march what a joke. They would be better off donating to police departments but that would probably make it easier to arrest thier kids.

If you wish to stop violent crime you must conquer the root cause of the problem. One commits crime due to many a variety of factors; peer pressure, immoral upbringing, poverty, lack of self worth and most importantly a respect for others.

Guns are only a tool. Banning the tools of the criminal won't stop the criminal from commiting crime. He will adapt, use other means, or simply break the law and use a gun anyway.

You can't legislate morality; it has to be learned.

On another note; why is it always those who speak loudest against those to legally own a firearm carry one themselves?

Diane Feinstein carries concealed weapon.

Rosie O'donnell hires armed bodyguards.

Charles Schumer carries concealed weapon.

Also take a look at this individual having some fun shooting a cop killer gun.

http://www.keepandbeararms.com/images/SCHUMER.jpg

I find it funny that the people who say law abiding citizens should not be allowed to own firearms are protected 24/7 by trained security personal who carry fully automatic weapons that law abiding civilians can not legally posses.

Point #1
Years ago the presents of a gun prevented an intruder form harming my family, no shots were fired. Luckly he ran when faced with an armed father protecting his family.

Point #2
Our society has changed! When I was in high school nearly every truck in the school parking lot had a rifle or shot gun in a window rack during hunting season. No one ever considered shooting other students.

Point #3
Misinformation seems to be the rule of the news media. "Bungport" point out the story of a kid in PA and the media picture of his armory. What they do not point out is that most of the pictured items were toys(bb guns, air soft, and plastic replicas). Two real firearm were found in the house, however no ammo was in the house. The one the DA held up in the photo-op was claimed by CNN as an "assualt rifle" (media bus word)was not an assualt rifle but a common semi-automatic carbine chambered in 9mm and only accepts 10 round magazines. Real "Assualt Rifles" are chamber in intermediate powered cartriges, are capable of fully automatic fire, and accept magazines which hold up to 100 rounds, 30 rounds being the most common. Except for his home made grenades all legal items. This will be an interesting case to watch.

Point #4
Isn't it great to be an American where we can have this conversation, voice our oppinion, and even disagree with each other.

It is a great thing that we can all agree or disagree. You know why? well because the CONSTITUTION SAYS SO. So on that note how bout we try this: I will give up all the guns I own and will ever own if all the commie leftists have their mouths sewn shut and use feeding tubes for the rest of thier lives. Have you ever heard the pen is mightier than the sword? They are sick of my guns and I am sick of thier mouths!!!

So in essence I'll give up the second amendment if they'll give up the first. sounds fair to me. I'll just get a small crossbow instead.

Be glad of the freedoms we have or move somewhere else.

San Miguel, where did you find that data on Albuquerque? The latest statistics from the FBI show the violent crime rate for Albuquerque is about a quarter of Baltimore's and a third of Washington D.C. Hmmmmm. There are two cities where gun control has really worked well, don't you think?

I'm old, slow, and travel frequently. That makes me a target. I have concealed-carry permits from two states and VOTE for candidates who AGREE with my 2nd Amendment right to defend myself.

All liberals should just put a sign in front of their houses that say "Firearm-free house". That way the criminals that they coddle will know the right house to rob.

Hey, no resistance....right? Then, you could make peace with them. If they can stand the stench of patchouli that is.

WOLVERINES!

SteyrAug was right!

If some one other than yourself misuses speech, does this then mean you should be made to shut-up? You people that think gun control is legitimate do not understand the real issue. This is more about self-preservation than anything else is. Any governments that will not trust its citizens to defend their own lives do in no way serve its citizens because without that what else do you really have to build on. Gun control is governments’ way of saying you servants are nothing important.

San Miguel - I think you need to research your information before you start flapping your gums.
1. In the latest FBI report St Louis is the most dangerous city in the United States. Crime runs unchecked in most large cities because idiots on city coucils won't allow citizens to protect themselves. Fortunately, about 32 states, at last count, have chosen to adopt laws that protect the citizen's right of self defense and protection of ones property without the fear of being prosecuted. Note the word 'defense'.
2. The U S is not trying to "conquer" Iraq.
3. If guns were banned for all law abiding Iraqis, the insurgents would be the only ones to have them and Iraq would become a dictatorship again.The same would happen here.
4. Disarming U S citizens would make it easier for morons to take total control and turn us all into sheep; sorta like our close neighbors. Perhaps you'd like that?

Personally, I love my country; I love my freedoms; I love my God; I love the ability to defend myself, my family, my property, and my friends; and I love, and prefer, speaking English.

I always find it amusing the people who say "you don't need a gun", making such arguments as we have the police for protection or we have grocery stores now, you don't need to hunt for food. Maybe, but I don't need a 4 wheel drive pickup, but I have one because I can. I do not need to wear cowboy boots, but I do. Quite franly they are comfortable. I don't need to have a german shepherd, but I do. She is damn good companion, wonderful with my 3 and 5 yr old and I dare a stranger to try to hurt my kids with her around.

Bottom line is there is this concept known as freedom. We are a free people that enjoy certain rights. First and foremost "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". Additionally, there are the first 10 amendments to Constitution known as the Bill of Rights. I always find it amusing the selective application of the bill of rights. The Bill of Rights does not grant rights to the people, but limits the governments ability to take them away, hence "congress shall make no law...".."the right of the people"...

If you feel safer not owning a gun, fine with me. If that helps you sleep at night, that is your choice. But do not make it my choice just because you think it is better for me. I travel a lot on business, and I can sleep at night away from home knowing my German Shepherd is at the bottom of the steps, and my wife knows how to and will use our guns to protect our kids if necessary.

If you sleep better at night knowing the police will be there in 10 to 15 minutes after you dial 911, sweet dreams.

If public support for gun control is dwindling, why then did Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, supposedly a Republican, recently sign into law a sweeping new gun control measure in California? It's called "microstamping" and it will force gun manufacturers to change the very way they make their products, increase the cost of guns for producers and consumers alike, yet have little or no impact on crime, especially once criminals catch on.

Could it be that politicians don't really care what the public supports?

There are sheep, wolves and sheepdogs...think about it.
Which one are you?

If gun control worked Washington DC would be the safest city in the US

If you do not like a business, don't go in. If you do not like a movie, don't watch it. You have that right. If you don not like firearms, do not own one. That too is your right. NOW, leave my rights alone and I;ll leave yours alone. I will not try too make you own firearms if you will not try and make me a victim.

Sad and curious that those commenters who call themselves "liberal" seek to make self defense an unlawful act. "Liberal" -- the root of the word is FREEDOM. Clue there, ok? The legal FREEDOM to exercise the natural right to self defense {and by extension, community defense} is not something that can be LAWFULLY legislated. (Well, hell, "...according to the Constitution," anyway.)

check the democrat platform and then read the communist manifesto.They are now in control.

I have been shooting since a very young age. Currently, I am an assistant for teaching the Concealed Weapons Permit course with my father in South Carolina. The course is 10 hours long. Most of the people who attend are women who have had bad experiences and wish to be protected. We have several police officers aid and often say that they do not have to come in a room where a shooting is occuring..... instead they prefer to wait outside and come in the room once the shooting has ceased..... does this make you feel any safer?

For those of you who do not know about the CWP application... there is even a regulation on how many parking/speeding tickets you can have in order to receive the permit.

The people who have illegal weapons are criminals, therefore; by definition do not follow the law. Why should I give up my protection for people who don't follow the law to begin with?

The support for gun control is smaller b/c people are realizing in the cities that do have bans and harsh restrictions like DC or NYC realize they aren't working and there is still a high crime rate.

During my college graduation, I was amazed that after the whole VT event there were no armed gaurd or medal detectors. If, God forbid, anything would have happened no one would have been able to protect us. People have to wake up and not be naive. Just last week a high school student who was in a gang got in a fight and decided to go to his car.... The school guard were smart enough to get there and find an illegal shotgun before the kid arrived and the dumb parent even supported the kid and was arrested for fighting with the cops... We need to make it illegal to be associated with a gang and not just for participating in illegal gang activities. That would solve one of the many problems.

Stop taking away the rights of citizens who obey the law and do something more about the ones who don't.

Just remember this: All the prevention in the world("gun control") will not save you like being prepared to defend yourself will("packing heat"). Prevention fails far more often than preperation ever will when it comes to defending your life.

Woody

"Charge the Court, Congress, and the several state legislatures with what to do with all the violent criminals who cannot be trusted with arms. We law abiding citizens shouldn't be burdened with having to prove we are not one of the untrustworthy just because those in government don't want to prevent crime by keeping violent criminals locked up."

The media both builds and feeds off public opinions. The old axiom, "If it bleeds, it leads," however, almost never applies when violent criminals die from poor victim selection. Looks like a media bias, but it might be something else. Perhaps it happens far too often to be of interest?

Opinions on whether gun-control works or not pales in the face of scientific inquiry. There are many such studies on the effectiveness of particular gun-control laws. A study of the studies is the October 3, 2003, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report of the Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"Findings from the Task Force on Community Preventive Services - Firearms Laws," which concludes: "Insufficient evidence to determine effectiveness" of any of the eleven (-11-) types of gun-control laws studied.

NONE could be shown to have accomplished the purpose for which it was enacted. "Common sense," often claimed by gun-control proponents seems very uncommon.

Following the misuse of Tasers by police thugs I have to agree to persons carrying handguns for personal protection

First off, I'll bet they don't post this. Second, after reading his article, it is obvious that Mark Silva has never been to a U.S. gun show in recent memory. Several different shows 'circuit' through the SE, my most recent experience being in Tennessee.

To cut it short, business is booming. There was sholder-sholder, table after table for almost the entire convention center in LaVergne, TN two weeks ago.

Sounds like a little disinformation to me.

Strange how those who throw around the 5,000 kids a year are killed with guns schtick never mention that that includes 25 year old "kids" and young gang-banging criminals.

Just so everyone is aware, the Gun Control Act of 1968 was largely copied word for translated word from Hitler's own gun control act. Gun control worked very well for the Nazi's - just ask a Jew, if you can find one.

When we say "From our cold, dead hands" we are being seroius. Attempting to disarm the people will cause a civil war. No free man shall ever be denied the use of arms.

Lastly, I am alive and writing this now ONLY because I had a gun near me the day a desperate and deranged 'friend' started bashing be with a sledge-hammer saying "I'm going to kill you! I don't care what happens to me. I just want to kill you first!". I never even had to point it at them. Try to find that in your anti-gun statistics... oh wait they only count people who are shot and killed, and most self-defense with a firearm never results in a shot fired.

For all you Republicans who think Bush and Cheney support your gun rights against those evil Democrats, think again.

Imagine you hire two security guards, one for the day shift, the other for the night shift. The first day, the day shift guy ties you up to a chair, robs your house and then beats you when you complain. Dusk comes along and when your night shift guard shows up, he leaves you tied up in the chair, robs what is left in your house and then he beats you some more when you complain. Would any rational person say "Wow! I really support the night shift guard! He didn't tie me up!"

The Democrats tie you up with unConstitutional gun control laws, take you money with fees and fines, and if you refuse to submit they catch you and throw you in jail. The Republicans don't pass (many) gun control laws, but they leave in place and strictly enforce the illegal, unConstitutional Democrat laws, then THEY take your money in fees and fines, and if you refuse to submit they throw you in jail.

There is no real difference between Bush, Clinton, Guiliani, Pelosi, Romney or Kennedy. They just play different roles. The Dems swear to be your Mommy, the Reps swear to be your Daddy. They both laugh about you after work, when they hang out together and drink in the same clubs.

You all need to be good citizens and force our politicians, by whatever means needed, to obey the Constitution.

Thebes is right. The second amendment is the last possible way to protect the first amendment if the government ever starts rounding up people due to their religion or political beliefs, as happens quite often in history, and is happening in several countries right now. Guns should only be banned from the hands of those so naive to think that "it could never happen here."

In NZ we have strict gun controls. The Police come around and visit you, check where your guns will be stored and locked away, ask your partner if they think you are a threat etc. Only then after background checks then do you go for your licence. We have a very low incidence involving guns. About 90% of it is gang related and they are usually shooting at each other, which is good. The main difference with the States and many other countries like ours, is that we do not have so many DANGEROUS criminals. They are here but not like the US. Cops here have guns but in their glove box. The big plus is that one can only have rifles unless you apply for a special permit which is hard to get. The hard problem for the US is getting rid of the DANGEROUS people... Not much help but a different perspective...

Some of you libs don't make any sense. Virginia Tech was Gun free therefore guns were not allowed. Then how did Cho kill over 30 people with 2 handguns. No guns allowed.

PS: Gun free zones are target rich enviorments. Criminals already don't obey the law. Therefore by disarming everybody ie law abiding you make everybody actually less safe.

Since so many of you posters are all for doing away with my Second Amendment rights, I am all for doing away with your First Amendment rights:

Sit down and shut up!!!!

Gun Control: Hitting what you aim at.

Well I learned a little from the comments but VERY little. I am in the pro camp and seriously think the antis need to sober up and listen to the reality checks. I will admit it. I am insecure and feel more secure having my very own firearms. May never ever need to use one in self defense but unlike the antis I never say never. Who knows that dark day of FEAR may actually materialize and faith just will not keep you alive. I guess I just don't believe in the power of the police or the eternal benevolence of our governing overlord or the fair minded of my fellow citizens. Good chance a loaded gun might be useful in that goal. I guess that is selfish so I will say save my wife and kids. That sounds more noble. In the meanwhile I can enjoy collecting and shooting as a sport using my firearms as recreation objects. You are perfectly safe from me.

I'm an ex-Brit.

Guns are banned there.

So, why do respected papers like the London Times and Telegraph frequently run articles that say that illegal guns are freely available, and about the same price as they can be got in the States?

Why was there a street shooting in Birmingham (U.K.) a few New Year's Eve's ago, where the gangsters used Uzis?

Why do I see cops with HK MP5's (sub machine guns) at Heathrow?

Why have "hot" home invasions increased four fold in the last ten years?

Why do British people get fined and imprisoned for defending themselves and their property?

And coming back to the States, why did two scruffy looking guys tell me that they were going to drive all over my property, whether I like it or not, in the hope of finding a way through that I told them wasn't there, only to back down when they realized I had a holstered gun on my hip?

If I had to give up one of my passports, it wouldn't be the U.S. one.

If it wasn't for citizen owned guns we would be living under martial law right now. Guns stand between freedom and Directive 51. Every citizen should be required to be armed. Or perhaps the alternative of Blackwater going door-to-door after Katrina disarming folks is better? "An armed society is a polite society." -Robert Heinlein

I always love reading the comments. People who toss around the comment "freaks" are always the ones to overuse "stoopid" and "cuz" right before telling others they need a labotomy.

Gun control is not constitutional. The right to bear arms was meant to protect us from tyranny. Registering your weapon is not in the constitution. All you folks afraid of guns should just refrain from voicing an opinion when it violates the constitution. Americans have never lived in fear. Quit watching the mainstream media and believing that gun control is going to stop some freak from mowing down his peer at school. It will not happen. If anything unarmed teachers and adult students makes that scenario much more likely.

Ron Paul '08
Restore the Republic, Dr. No will reinstate the constitution. VOTE

first to tjb, the expat brit, welcome aboard mate. you bring a voice of experience to the debate. i'm a retired armoured truck guard in the new england area living in a state that does not issue, or require a "pistol permit" and there is no account kept of who does or does carry a gun, i have been vetted by two neighboring states that do require pistol permits since i worked in those states, as well as being checked by the f.b.i. every time i have bought a gun in recent years. for all of the unknown number of guns in private hands here we live in peace and safety, with minimal crime. something sadly not true in too many places with severely restrictive gun laws. revisiting tjb's comments, i am in correspondence with a serving british police officer who finds no fault with my being a "yank" owning guns and is actively considering emigrating to the u.s. to pursue a career as a police officer here, and particularly in the state where i live.

Guns do not kill people...PEOPLE kill people. So start thinking about what you are saying. Guns don't grow legs walking around shooting shit. We need to work on getting the bad PEOPLE off the streets.

this is the stupidest thing i have ever seen, get a life!!!

I know this is an old article, but I feel that it needs to be pointed out that the "arsenal" referred to in the article that Kenny Bunkport linked to consisted of TOY GUNS. That's right, all those guns in the picture are airsoft guns.