Quote:
Originally Posted by Northwoods
I don't believe guns should be banned. Hunting is part of our culture and people own guns for protection. People also shoot guns for sport. But I have a hard time understanding why someone needs to own a semi-automatic weapon or any gun that can shoot a large amount of bullets in a short amount of time.
I get all the arguments... "only criminals will have guns," "it's a mental illness issue," "guns don't kill people." etc. But guns that fire a large amount of bullets in a short amount of time can potentially kill a lot of people. Why should people have a right to own this type of weapon? What do you use them for? And If you can own this type of weapon, why shouldn't you be able to own a machine gun... a grenade... or an atomic bomb? None of those kill people, it's the person that uses them.
If it is illegal to own a machine gun, I think it should be illegal to own a "semi automatic weapon" of any sort. Will it stop killings or mass murders? No. Will making it illegal keep it out of the hands of killers? No. But maybe it will stop one person from buying that weapon.. or make it a lot harder for someone to buy that weapon. If it stops a mass shooting.. would it be worth it?
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Because the Constitution, which was written before these kinds of weapons existed, in a world that had no technology to speak of (electricity wasn't available in households until the following century and the White House didn't have running water until the 1800s) says they can, therefore they can, and their right to do something is more important than your right to not be victimized by it.