Quote (fender @ May 27 2022 09:51am)
ya we all know the lazy argument, and if all guns were banned, they would just use knives, and if all knives were banned they'd just build bombs... the tiny little flaw to that line of argument, however, is that it's simply not true. some might, one might, but many won't. evidence: the entire world.
so rather than hiding behind dumb hypotheticals to justify your acceptance of dead children, come up with something that WOULD help and push for a change in that direction? oh right, you people don't actually care about solving the issue, you constantly try to downplay it - you only care about no one even thinking about messing with your precious toys...
https://i.imgur.com/bvW9OQv.pngI don't think it's a lazy argument at all actually. School shooters will simply use handguns like they've done in the past (see VA tech). Why do you think a mass shooter would change his mind given the prevalence of handguns? On one hand, rifles have higher velocity and the NATO round is particularly vicious to internal organs because it's small enough where it won't go through you. On the other hand, handguns are much easier to use in close quarters, you can carry several in case your primary weapon jams, etc. Frankly, if you're going to commit a mass shooting, you should use your rifle to hit targets from over 30 feet away and use a handgun for the rest.
In terms of lethality, the aspect that the weapon is
semi-automatic is the primary driver. I think the primary discussion needs to revolve around the regulation of semi-automatic weapons and how we can come up with solutions that are in line with current case law. Personally, I'd love to bring the hammer down on all the thugs and hillbillies who have illegal guns. Illegal gun owners constitute the vast majority of all gun crime in this country. Let's give them a life sentence for simply possessing a gun. Right now, the sentences are REALLY light:
https://www.cga.ct.gov/2012/rpt/2012-R-0345.htmAt the same time, we really need to figure out a better way of vetting people. Should we create HIPAA exemptions for the purchase of a gun? Should we allow law enforcement to browse your internet history? What sort of solutions do you have in mind?