Batman Theater Tragedy

[bean]

I wish it were not so but I agree with Squiz. It's probably too late.

I grew up a hunter, in a house with guns. I was taught respect for guns at all times.
I firmly believed that it is absolutely a right to own one.

Let's just say every time this happens, I have revisited that thought. From the 1991 shooting at Killeen when I was in college through the school shootings and various mass murders we have witnessed, I cannot help but to think "Why on God's Earth does anyone need firepower like this?"

It's obvious there is something wrong with this guy who did the shooting in Colorado. How did he get 6000 rounds of ammunition with nobody batting an eye? Body armor? WTH does anyone need body armor for? Seriously!

Please spare me the wild west "let's all pull out our guns to make it safe" arguments though. Cause I really don't think that helps make it much safer.

What would make me feel safer would be a significant crackdown on assault weapons, stockpiles of ammunition, and far better background checks for those who would like to purchase a gun.

It can be done. I must take Zyrtec D with pseudo-ephederine in allergy season and the pharmacy makes me show ID. The data is entered into a database. Anywhere I go, I am limited to X amount in a month. The authorities are alerted if I try to buy more than that. Simple. Effective.

Could we have stopped any of these? I'm not sure. I know that we have a pretty big rate of gun violence compared with other countries with more common sense restrictions.

[lucrezaborgia]

(07-26-2012 05:14 PM)bean Wrote:  Body armor? WTH does anyone need body armor for? Seriously!

A lot of troops buy their own gear because it's better than what is provided for them.

[bean]

And that I can see.
Maybe http://www.kevlarbodyarmor.com needs to have a way to verify a real military ID or a real law enforcement ID or something. Joe Blow does not need it though..

[WifeofBill]

(07-26-2012 06:13 PM)bean Wrote:  And that I can see.
Maybe http://www.kevlarbodyarmor.com needs to have a way to verify a real military ID or a real law enforcement ID or something. Joe Blow does not need it though..

There are hundreds, if not thousands of contractors in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. those men and women need body armor as well. This is just one example.

[Tiarali]

Still, it should be very simple to design a system where people state why they need body armour. Those who are in categories that commonly need it should have the process streamlined, while those who need it for less conventional reasons could be assessed on a case by case basis.

[bean]

That would make perfect sense to me. Totally agree. There is one example of people who DO need body armor.

Let's see a statement then. Maybe something authenticated by DOD or whoever they are contracting for.

In my work, I sometimes have to stay at hotels and get the "State Govt Rate" I carry a letter in my binder from my supervisor to that effect with a number that can be called if it needs to be verified...shouldn't be that hard.

(07-27-2012 08:30 AM)WifeofBill Wrote:  

(07-26-2012 06:13 PM)bean Wrote:  And that I can see.
Maybe http://www.kevlarbodyarmor.com needs to have a way to verify a real military ID or a real law enforcement ID or something. Joe Blow does not need it though..

There are hundreds, if not thousands of contractors in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. those men and women need body armor as well. This is just one example.

[greg]

It's frightening to hear of so many folks that are willing to give up their personal rights for some sort of imaginary, hoped-for, quasi safety!

[Ricardo]

Ah, Greg, now we get to the acid test.

When you have three conflicting goals: Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, what happens when emphasis on one infringes on the other? There is no "perfect" solution, or solutions that fit every situation.

And the problem also has to do with cultural differences.

Germany has a LOONG history of discipline and self-discipline. Gun Control laws make perfect sense for most Germans. Switzerland also has a long history of discipline and self-discipline, but REQUIRES every home to have a firearm.

Greg, I don't think either country would agree to your description of "some sort of imaginary, hoped-for, quasi safety."

Urban versus rural living also make a difference. I can get a fire truck or a policeman to my home within 5 minutes. There are many places in Maine where it may be an hour before fire or police can make an appearance.

It may very well be that we need different laws depending on where you live.

[captain_solo]

Quote:It may very well be that we need different laws depending on where you live.

Which is why the founding fathers settled on federalism. But even that is messy because in order for a state to be part of the union, it has to assent to the principles and freedoms spelled out in the constitution, hence the very similar content of most state constitutions. If legislation was based on those documents and the powers they give to the government we wouldn't have so many issues, most of the controversial discussions we have are over things that don't belong in the hands of an elite ruling class but in local communities. There it won't be perfect either, but it will be much more in line with the actual culture of the community than the edicts that come down from a state or federal capitol. The problem, seen especially in gun control legislation is that localities want to make a patchwork of confusing and incomprehensible regulations, and they regularly with abandon void the founding documents of the nation and the state. The real issue lies there, not in some utopian gun-free paradise. Freedom will always have a cost, and part of that cost will be that people will abuse their freedom. The answer is to swiftly and judiciously mete out justice when that happens and maintain as free of a society as is possible where individuals have the right and ability to fend for themselves, the intrusion of government agents should be the exception not the rule.