How many believe the answer for reducing gun violence is to restrict gun sales more?

2015-09-01T07:34:26-04:00

After watching the media over the last few days since the Deputy was murdered in Cold Blood I have been amazed at how divided the country is over the solution. People on the left want to take guns off the street even in the face of clear evidence that stricter gun laws actually make the streets less safe. ie. Chicago. So I have decided to get the point of view of my fellow veterans since other than cops we are probably more involved with guns than anyone. So speak up. Make sure you put a reason behind your opinion either way.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Sep 1 at 2015 7:54 AM

2015-09-01T07:54:41-04:00

That's not going to do anything except promote more illegal gun sales.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Sep 1 at 2015 7:55 AM

2015-09-01T07:55:36-04:00

No.

First, we don't have "Gun Violence," we just have "Violence." Calling it Gun Violence is a misnomer because we don't apply that caveat to any other type of violence statistic. Second, Violence has been on the decline for the last FEW DECADES. And that is including the removal of restrictions.

So if ALL Violence is generally going down (Including "Gun Violence), even while we are removing restrictions, why is it necessary to increase restrictions?

The issue with Violence, has to be looked at from it's root cause, not as the symptom. Most of these issues can be put into three very distinct categories. Socio-Economic. Mental Health. Terrorism. Let's start with Terrorism, because this is very easy to argue. It's a matter or vigilance. Removing guns, doesn't actually take it away from this group. Next is Mental Health. "You can't account for what a crazy person will do. They're crazy." Finally is Socio-Economic. Put too many people together in a small place, and lower conditions far enough and they just will get violent.

Look at the other "developed" nations like Britain or Australia. They have "Knife Violence" instead of "Gun Violence" and they are now trying to ban knives with points. How far down this rabbit hole are we going to go?

It's not guns that are causing the problem. Guns aren't even a symptom. They're a 4th or 5th order effect coming to light because of other factors.

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Sep 1 at 2015 8:21 AM

2015-09-01T08:21:52-04:00

Everyone says that "Guns don't kill people, people kill people," and I whole-heartedly agree. Rather than continue to try and regulate firearms, I'm in favor of rational regulation on how people get guns. I don't agree that anyone without a criminal background should be able to walk into a WalMart and buy an AR-15 with zero training or sense of responsibility. If someone wants to buy a gun, they should receive, included with their purchase, at least a week (40 hour course) on the proper way to shoot, clean, store and carry their firearm. Upon successful completion of the course (taught by professionals in the firearm industry and field - police, military, etc), assuming their background check is clear, they can receive their purchase. The course should be tailored in length and curriculum in accordance with the type of firearm they are purchasing. Machine guns and more intensive weapons should have a longer training period.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Sep 1 at 2015 9:02 AM

2015-09-01T09:02:24-04:00

Figure out a way to keep weapons out of the hands of EDP and I'm all in.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Sep 1 at 2015 1:37 PM

2015-09-01T13:37:00-04:00

Restricting gun sales and ownership always results in higher crime rates because while the law-abiding citizens that are not part of the problem obey the laws and are disarmed while the criminal element does not, and has a greater advantage over a disarmed public.

"Every place that has been banned guns has seen murder rates go up. You cannot point to one place where murder rates have fallen, whether it’s Chicago or D.C. or even island nations such as England, Jamaica, or Ireland."

http://crimeresearch.org/2013/12/murder-and-homicide-rates-before-and-after-gun-bans/

Murder and homicide rates before and after gun bans - Crime Prevention Research Center

Research, gun bans, homicide, police, murder

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 1 at 2015 1:42 PM

2015-09-01T13:42:05-04:00

This is a slippery slope. Some of the shootings that have happened went down with a legally purchased weapon. There's nothing that can be done about that. I get the whole "mentally unstable" thing, but if that's going to be a disqualifier, what about the vets, cops, and anyone else with PTSD? Are they now unable to carry because of their "mental illness"? What about lost jobs? IMO the federal government needs to stomp on the states and enact a law that covers the union in regards to weapons sales, revocation of arms, and what "mentally unstable" really is backed by concrete clinical data (verified of course) to support this decision. Too many broad strokes, and not enough surgical cuts.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Sep 1 at 2015 4:32 PM

2015-09-01T16:32:00-04:00

Preventing bad guys from having guns sounds great but how? Yes some people buy a gun legally and then use it to commit a crime but those are a very small percentage. Most guns used in crimes are either stolen or bought from the person who stole them. The so-called gunshow loophole is bogus. No dealer can sell a gun at a gun show without conducting a background check and no criminal is going to try to buy one because he knows that he can't pass. What does happen is that you and I meet at a gunshow and then we go somewhere else and conduct an illegal gun sale. How do you stop that? We can always meet somewhere else. Currently it is a federal felony for anyone convicted of a felony to a domestic violence offense to even pick up and look at a gun. Any criminal caught with any kind of gun can get 5-10 years in the federal pen. In addition violent crimes can result in penalties up to and including death. Which one of those laws do criminals, terrorists or nut jobs obey? Which new law would they suddenly decide to obey? If a person is not concerned about the penalty for murder or armed robbery he sure as hell isn't concerned with a gun law. The simple fact is that virtually everything bad that can be done with a gun is already illegal and all criminals are already banned from having a gun. You can disarm law-abiding people but that only makes a criminal's job safer for him. When you are talking about people with mental problems do keep in mind that veterans are one of the main groups that liberals would like to disarm and people with mental problems could include every member of the military who has ever sought counseling on any level or anyone who ever had a teacher decide that he had ADHD etc. Then after all of that criminals would still have guns because a gun is a tool of the trade for them and they don't care about the law.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Sep 1 at 2015 4:36 PM

2015-09-01T16:36:16-04:00

http://www.rawstory.com/2015/09/fox-psychiatrist-every-person-without-a-gun-should-ask-what-the-heck-is-wrong-with-me/#.VeYJ7RI3V9w.twitter

Response by PO3 Brad Phlipot made Dec 12 at 2015 8:07 PM

2015-12-12T20:07:37-05:00

Another heavy gun restricted zone, I am feeling safer already..........NOT and NO
http://www.insideedition.com/headlines/13501-man-who-tried-killing-new-orleans-good-samaritan-raped-couple-the-next-day-police
Here is what Police almost in every state are advising even in Fantasy Liberal Land California
http://www.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/arm-yourself-to-protect-against-mass-shootings-some-sheriffs-telling-public-20151210/
http://abc11.com/archive/9011624/
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2013/0128/Wisconsin-sheriff-s-warning-Arm-yourself-we-might-not-get-there-in-time
http://www.npr.org/2013/01/31/170727538/milwaukee-sheriff-advises-residents-to-arm-themselves
http://abc11.com/news/sheriff-urges-residents-of-harnett-co-to-arm-themselves/240713/
http://www.news965.com/news/news/local/arm-yourself-public-says-upstate-ny-sheriff/npbw6/

Man Who Tried Killing New Orleans Good Samaritan Raped Couple The Next Day: Police

Euric Cain is considered a top suspect in a series of rapes and kidnappings reported in October and November.

Response by 1LT Aaron Barr made Sep 14 at 2016 8:44 AM

2016-09-14T08:44:19-04:00

People who've never cracked a dictionary and read the definition of the word 'criminal', that's who....

Response by Federico Olivares made Feb 13 at 2019 6:11 AM

2019-02-13T06:11:26-05:00

Lets ban cocaine, once that's off the streets you'll convince me that a restriction of selling guns MIGHT work