how would that hurt us, no one is saying that gun crime is good. We are saying that the anti gun people are bad, and we have to spend so much time dealing with them that we can not put effort into improving gun safety
It’s the sad truth people don’t like. We always hear how much the NRA or “gun lobby” has spent and how so much other good things could be done with the money. Question 1. Why don’t we ever hear how much has been spent on “anti gun” campaigning, lobbying, and legislation? Question 2. How much less money could be spent by the gun lobby defending their position if instead of trying to enact bans and restrict the rights of people who have safely and legally enjoyed those rights for decades- and instead sat down and worked on enacting the mutually agreeable steps for safety that both sides actually can see eye to eye on?
I don't negotiate with people who want me disarmed. They want neighbors to be able to call the Gestapo on eachother. They think we don't have the right to resist oppression, or even to defend our lives from common criminals. They scream for common sense while displaying an absolute lack of any sense. You don't dance with the Devil unless you're willing to dance forever.
We've gone past the point of their "compromise", taking our natural or God-given rights arbitrarily and piecemeal. I want constitutional carry, machineguns, suppressors, to stand my ground, and most of all, some goddamn decency. And I will offer everything we got for giving that up: Nothing.
I’m not invalidating your opinion- I disagree on some finer points- but that doesn’t make me right. Personally, I’m willing to talk, I’m willing to negotiate some points. When met my partner- she was die hard against guns. Some years later- she appreciates that guns have a place, and that ignorant laws made on emotions won’t solve problems- and will cause problems. I was able to connect for her certain social issues she cares deeply about- and guns- in a way that she could relate to and understand how guns safeguard or act as an important freedom in upholding those things she cares about. She’s now more able to see and conscious of blatant and ignorant propaganda. We disagree on some areas- but I turned an adversary into a supporter of the larger rights at hand and some of the finer points. Do that a few hundred million more times and the battle is won.
But there is room to negotiate. I’m sure there are people you would agree should not have guns, or certain weapons or accessories. I’m sure we can agree hopefully- that certain people through demonstrated ineptitude or malice should be temporarily or permanently barred or restricted from owning a weapon. Where we can agree on common points- those are places to concede. Where there cannot be compromise- we must strong.
But there is a line. Perhaps an m203 isn’t something we would think is sold at Walmart. Or maybe we think that is ok? What about a LAW? Or a tactical shoulder fire nuke? At SOME point we can agree on a restriction.
As a human, and an American- others doing well doesn’t hurt me. I am happy for them. But even if one was “envious” or “jealous”- I don’t see it hurting America more than most other countries. Having a low murder rate is in itself- a great achievement. However having one gun for every four people and having a low murder rate- just illustrates the larger point and age old cliche- “guns don’t kill people.” That lower murder rate would in fact be across all types of homicide- including the ones that don’t involve guns. People kill people less. There are a lot of factors there- one is guns. But 1 gun per 4 people implies that guns aren’t the key factor in the equation.
When you look at Greenland- it’s 5.3-5.31 homicide rate is in line to the US with its own 5.3. Parts of Europe are very low- and other parts like Eastern Europe have higher homicide rates than the US. Two factors you will see in common with almost ALL the countries with the highest murder rates are: 1. Large populations living in poverty or precarious socioeconomic situations- AND perhaps more importantly- 2. Large inequity in economic status across the population. The larger and wider spread the numbers and gap between those with more and those with much less- you tend to see larger homicides rates.
Look at Scandinavian countries and their ideological neighbors and you will see both generally low crime rates- AND generally low economic disparity. BUT- here is another interesting observation- some of the lowest violent crime rates occur in countries that largely have homogeneous populations. Now- it is somewhat intuitive but we could say the data supports- where people have less differences in all regards- you’re less likely to see serious disagreements or conflict.
But that really isn’t the tag line of the United States is it? It isn’t being us your tired and poor... and confirm them to a mono culture. Why is America of all countries regarded as the great melding pot? The founding principals of the United States are security from international threat- but freedom inside the borders- maximum freedom to the people- at the cost that safety and security are also more the responsibility of the individual.
In other words- American freedom and democracy- the unique stage created by the American constitution, to allow (in theory and by principle if not always in reality) all people to gather, to keep their ways or jettison their traditions and adopt or invent new ones- to pursue their dreams and live as they choose within the minimal confines required for a basic society- carries inherent danger to it.
It is a price that is paid for freedom of this type- a freedom unlike what can be experienced most anywhere else- we want to of course minimize the price one must pay- but you will never have the level of harmony and security you can get in a homogenous and more structured society. For those who want to trade freedom for security- often perhaps freedoms most won’t use or appreciate (one doesn’t feel a loss when trading the unused for the desired) there is a great big world- and I wish them well.
And that the states I listed are just very small bubbles in the United States. As a Washingtonian raised in Idaho I have as much in common with a New Yorker or a Illinoisan as an Irishman has in common with a Spaniard or Estonian.
The US ain't one single entity, she's fifty sovereign states who agreed not to kill eachother on a semi-permanent basis.
Ironically I literally just left leaving a comment on another thread to that effect- well- that in the vastness if the United States there are many different ways of life and many different desires and needs.
We've gone past the point of their "compromise", taking our natural or God-given rights arbitrarily and piecemeal. I want constitutional carry, machineguns, suppressors, to stand my ground, and most of all, some goddamn decency. And I will offer everything we got for giving that up: Nothing.
The US ain't one single entity, she's fifty sovereign states who agreed not to kill eachother on a semi-permanent basis.