You are a Republican
You are male
You are white
You live in the south or midwest
You live in a rural setting
You have less than a college education
You are 45 - 65
You have a family income of $50 - $100 thousand
You have no children under 18
You are a Protestant or Evangelical Christian
You are a military veteran
-Nate Silver interpreting several polls
Observations: Not too many surprises here. The military service thing maybe, I thought they would have had enough of guns after seeing the mayhem they can cause... The rural setting thing seems a little odd. Kind of takes away from the "I have a gun for protection" thing as inner cities are more dangerous. No children under 18 was a bit of a surprise. Safety conscious maybe? I don't quite understand that one. If people think they need a gun for protection would they not think they need one even more if they have kids at home?
This survey was for guns of any description, not necessarily assault weapons. I wonder how that poll would differ?
We went for a long urban hike here in Antalya
8 hours ago
You forgot "You're Canadian."
ReplyDeleteWe like our guns just as much and we have plenty of access to them, only our choice is restricted to long guns (rifles).
(The difference is that in our culture, guns are used for hunting or protecting yourself from wildlife.)
Taking away access to guns won't stop this sort of event. People will just find another way to commit such atrocities. Bombs perhaps. http://current.com/community/93995220_mass-school-bombing-in-1927-puts-sandy-hook-in-context.htm
A similar attack occurred recently in China where private gun ownership is banned. A madman attacked 22 school children with a knife. It was a brutal, horrific act, chests and faces were slashed, fingers and ears were cut off. The big difference though was that not one child died!
ReplyDeleteThat is ONLY because he had no access to a gun.
Croft, a number of my friends were involved in serious combat during the Vietnam war. They are all decorated and with honors for superior service. After retuning home none of them have ever owned a gun.
ReplyDeleteMany "gun freaks" are just cowards and never served in the military. They are just freaks.
The country living gun owners probably do hunt more as opposed to the security focus. That I think is a key short coming of the analysis.
ReplyDeleteMilitary service also can give veterans a sense of competence with the weapon and the security it can provide, so they can feel more in control and they have experience relying on a weapon for security.
After the kids are grown, there is more time for hobbies, be it guns and hunting or beer making or sailing or whatever.
The above is not a defense of gun ownership though, just an analysis. My own position is the time for guns has come and gone. The idea that things will continue doesn't fly. If the young man responsible for this recent act had not had access to his mother's guns, I am confident it wouldn't have happend.
Since our first time south Derek and I no longer discuss guns south of our border.
ReplyDeleteThe first time -- after Derek said that we don't have guns - nor want to - a women said to him in all seriousness "Well, how are you going to protect your women?"
I agree with WM - if the young man had not been able to get a hold of a gun it wouldn't have happened. But at the same time - some healthy parenting would have done more to prevent such a tragedy.
Gee Croft, sometimes you don't seem to have any imagination. :O) If you lived in the country, you might need to protect yourself from bears, Moutain lions and wofves for starters and maybe city people too. :O) And, you might depend on a gun for getting some food in the freezer too.
ReplyDeleteAnd I must say, you seem to be more city inclined then rural, which is ok, to each his own.
Actually, being a country type person myself, city people are really in more need of a gun for protedtion from people than conntry type people.
Bobthebum
Not surprisingly you and I have slightly different views on guns even though we are both from Canada. I have a number of long guns at home in my basement. At one time my family and I were avid hunters but that time has receded into the past. However living on a farm we have had occasion when it was necessary to put down a critter that was suffering or convince the neighbourhood coyotes that our dogs and cats were not a regular part of their diet. Now I love the coyotes coming around, and they do help with the rodent population but like all things there needs to be boundaries and mine start at my homestead fence. Hunt and eat all the critters in the fields but the cats and dogs live under my protection.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that folks probably don't need assault weapons and I have lived my whole life without a handgun. And just for the record my guns are all locked up in a safe and the key is in a place known only to me and one other person on the planet. You gotta trust somebody!
JB, you are the poster child for responsible gun ownership. You have a legitimate need for one and you keep it safe. If the Government were to come for your guns, I would be on your side.
DeleteI tend to get on rants but they are usually initiated by some extreme action such as this woman teaching a mentally disturbed offspring how to shoot and then leaving assault weapons and handguns available to him. These are the people who should have the Government come knocking!
Maybe our ideas are not so different after all.
You are a Republican - YES
ReplyDeleteYou are male - YES (but wife also wants to get several)
You are white - NO (but wife is :) )
You live in the south or midwest - NO (Does Southwest count?)
You live in a rural setting - YES
You have less than a college education - YES
You are 45 - 65 - NO
You have a family income of $50 - $100 thousand - YES
You have no children under 18 - NO (8 under 18)
You are a Protestant or Evangelical Christian - YES
You are a military veteran - YES (both are)
So, what did we win? :)
For us, it isn't just a matter of owning guns for protection, but for the sport of it. While we wouldn't be in matches, we do enjoy the accuracy/challenge it provides. I also have to live up to my Marine Expert Marksman reputation. Everytime our friend comes over, he brings his rifle and wants to have a matchup. Yes, there are plenty of illegally hunted/killed soda cans in my yard.
I am not for gun control. This incident lays very much on the blame of the mother - what was she thinking? Should society take control over gun options to address people like this misguided mother? Sadly I think not - but perhaps there are some better controls and efforts to make information available to better safeguard people (little ones most especially).
ReplyDeleteAn incredibly sad story for which gun control would probably have little effect. That crazy kid could have just as easily made a bomb I suppose. What a TERRIBLE situation!
Why do we need a 2nd Amendment Gov. never turn on there own people!
ReplyDeleteA LITTLE GUN HISTORY
In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. >From 1929 to 1953, about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated
In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915 to 191...7, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945, a total of 13 million Jews and others who were unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated.
China established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952, 20 million political dissidents, unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated
Guatemala established gun control in 1964. From 1964 to 1981, 100,000 Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000 Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to 1977, one million educated people, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
Defenseless people rounded up and exterminated in the 20th Century because of gun control: 56 million.
You won't see this data on the US evening news, or hear politicians disseminating this information.
Guns in the hands of honest citizens save lives and property and, yes, gun-control laws adversely affect only the law-abiding citizens.
Take note my fellow Americans, before it's too late!
The next time someone talks in favor of gun control, please remind them of this history lesson.
With guns, we are 'citizens'. Without them, we are 'subjects'.
During WWII the Japanese decided not to invade America because they knew most Americans were ARMED!
If you value your freedom, please spread this antigun-control message to all of your friends.
SWITZERLAND ISSUES EVERY HOUSEHOLD A GUN!
SWITZERLAND'S GOVERNMENT TRAINS EVERY ADULT THEY ISSUE A RIFLE.
SWITZERLAND HAS THE LOWEST GUN RELATED CRIME RATE OF ANY CIVILIZED COUNTRY IN THE WORLD!!!
IT'S A NO BRAINER!
DON'T LET OUR GOVERNMENT WASTE MILLIONS OF OUR TAX DOLLARS IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE ALL LAW ABIDING CITIZENS AN EASY TARGET.
Spread the word everywhere you can that you are a firm believer in the 2nd Amendment!
It's time to speak loud before they try to silence and disarm us.
You're not imagining it, history shows that governments always manipulate tragedies to attempt to disarm the people~See More
I Googled this text and it appears on many pro gun Teabagistan web sites. Many of these claims have been debunked by Snopes.com and common sense.
DeletePoster, if you want to be seriously considered in this discussion, do not post anonymously, sign your name.