[Monkei]

Originally Posted by MelZ

Now think about it a madman with 2 gallons of gasoline sets fire to a school, so we ban gasoline?

I fear for this country that the situation has gotten so far out of hand that we can rationalize the need for weapons of mass destruction by comparing it to 2 gallons of gasoline in the wrong persons hands.

Discussing the situation with those would would use these or any other kind of comparisons simply do not understand the issue at hand.

[Golfingnut]

If you own a few hunting guns you are normal in this country.
If you own a pistol in your home for personal protection, you are normal in this country.

If you own a collection of Semi-Automatic weapons rather long gun or pistol. HUUMMM

If you own Semi-Automatic weapons designed to match military weapons---if you own large capacity clips for these weapons--- if you are a member of any of the so called militia groups, you probably have a problem that needs outside intervention and not from your buddy that gets drunk and shoots holes in his beer cans for sport.

If you have converted any of your weapons to fully automatic. YOU DEFINITELY HAVE A PROBLEM.

[Xavier]

We have many VERY intelligent people here on TOTV.

We have a few WING NUTS on TOTV.

I'm pretty sure that none of us will be able to change anyone's mind on this topic.

We have people who need to love and be loved. It just may improve their outlook on life.

God bless you all - Merry Christmas.

Xavier

[DaleMN]

Guns are another issue that deeply divides our country. Guns, taxes, spending, social issues, women's rights, education, defense, and on and on.
The major difference is, with guns people die. But that's ok with the NRA and others as long as many guns as possible are in the hands of people....who cares to whom or how obtained or for what intent. All falsely in the name of protecting a constitutional right. How sick.

[senior citizen]

................

[Cantwaittoarrive]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

You are correct, obviously no one knows AND there are NO easy answers. It is however, good to look deeply and with objectivity into these issues rather than jump to easy conclusions based on preconcieved notions.

Wise answer and it would be wise for those that have preconcieved notions about the evils of guns to also listen to these words. I think your words OldCoach are an excellent place for both sides to start from.

[Bogie Shooter]

[QUOTE=senior citizen;598030]I tend to agree with you.


Everyone has guns in Vermont.


Not often, but when the occasional "city person" that looked suspicious to him or his staff,
Before anyone gets "upset" over my using the word "city folks", we ourselves came from the big cities......just using that as a frame of reference as to how he would know that it wasn't a local or "townie" resident......often by their mode of dress or suspicious way of casing the place. The ones that raised his suspicions stuck out like a sore thumb.....

Really? Everyone has guns in Vermont?
Was there something else about the "city person" that you are not mentioning that would also distinguish them from the "townie"?

[Cantwaittoarrive]

Originally Posted by Trish Crocker

From what I have heard, unless you are a 'hothead' the average person will hesitate before pulling a trigger, even if they feel threatened. It is during this moment of hesitation that the assailant gets the upper hand. The common statement that criminals will find a way to get a weapon may be true, but a scarcity of weapons would drive up the price, therefore not every nut would be able to afford one. I'm not sure I can accept the idea that some form of gun control is contrary to the Constitution. I don't think the founding fathers were talking about assault weapons and arsenals. At the time the constitution was written, there were no phones to call for help when you found someone lurking around your property, many people live miles from any town or city and needed protection. In this case, the only viable solution would be to arm yourselves. It seems to me that the same constitution that allows this 'freedom' is the constitution that denied women the right to vote and was then changed when people realized the stupidity of the this law. We have the right to seek change when it is causing harm to United States Citizens.

You are right and a very nice thoughtful post. Of course it's possible to seek change and that's one of the remarkable things about the way our founding fathers set up our great country. Lets also keep in mind, we think nothing of trained people with guns protecting our most valuable assets. We use armed guards to protect our money, we use armed guards to protect our president. If you had a million dollars in cash or gold would you just place it in a building with no guards? and hope no one came to take it? How much more valuable are our children? yes it's not a perfect answer but do you think if we changed the constitution tomorrow that the bad guys wouldn't still have and use guns? do you think if someone is dead set on attacking a school they wouldn't find a way to do it? using some other method like a truck bomb or plane or who knows? I certainly think it's wise to have an open and frank discussion and look at all of the possibilities and not close our minds

[MelZ]

Originally Posted by Monkei

I fear for this country that the situation has gotten so far out of hand that we can rationalize the need for weapons of mass destruction by comparing it to 2 gallons of gasoline in the wrong persons hands.

Discussing the situation with those would would use these or any other kind of comparisons simply do not understand the issue at hand.

I completely understand the situation, "blame the inanimate object not the person". My point was anything can be a murder weapon. You look for an easy answer there is none. This Madman killed his Mom, took guns (which are illegally obtained by him, steals a car) and commits murder. When we opened the asylums we let the insane out do you really think any laws will stop an insane person? Virginia Tech has it's own Police Department and where were they? If Columbine has a school Security officer where was he? Why are airline pilots armed even though there are sky marshals on planes?

[JeffAVEWS]

Originally Posted by tpop1

I'm not a gun owner, not an IRA member, just a worried Grandpa!!!

This is my opinion......

1) Deranged people have been shooting up public locations killing innocent people... Isn't this Terrorism???

2) Nothing is in place or on the near horizon to stop this,

3) Even with stringent gun control, these people will have access to weapons, the black market will provide...just like with drugs,

4) One of these deranged people walked into Sandy Hook Elementry School and killed 26 innocents,

5) No more than 26 deaths would have occured and perhaps many less would have died if that deranged person had met someone, anyone with a gun to stop him.

6) I've never heard of one innocent being hurt by protectors in those locations where armed guards are present.

7) If President Obama's daughters are protected by armed guards, why not my grandchildren.

Until we reach Utopia, I want my grandchildren PROTECTED, by an armed policeman guarding the single entryway to their schools or a trained staff member with a gun centrally located in the school, or an armed Grandpa patrol sitting outside the door of the school.
_

In reguards to item 6 read this from last Aug.NYPD Gunfire In Empire State Building Shooting Wounded All Nine Bystanders, Says Ray Kelly

[2 Oldcrabs]

I am not against guns, I own 2 shot guns. I am against automatic wepons ! We need to call them what they are, "WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION" and ban them!

[janmcn]

Originally Posted by wendyquat

Or a drunk driver kills a family with his car? Lets ban cars!

Seems I remember they tried banning alcohol and that didn't stop a lot of folks from drinking!

Guns do NOT kill people, people kill people! Treat the sick people and quit letting them roam our streets! One mother of a 13 year old boy that she could not handle begged police for help after he threatened her many times. They told her they could not help her until he had committed a crime! Some changes need to be made.

When you OUTLAW guns, only OUTLAWS will have guns!

If GM built a car whose SOLE purpose was to kill a large number of people in a short amount of time, it should be banned.

[MelZ]

Originally Posted by janmcn

If GM built a car whose SOLE purpose was to kill a large number of people in a short amount of time, it should be banned.

there were 32,000 auto related fatalities last year, yes let's go back to horse and buggy days

[senior citizen]

........

[MelZ]

Originally Posted by 2 Oldcrabs

I am not against guns, I own 2 shot guns. I am against automatic wepons ! We need to call them what they are, "WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION" and ban them!

To own Automatic weapons you must have a class 3 Federal Firearms license.