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Originally Posted by Botnst
I wouldn't say I ignored your speculative suggestion. In my opinion the stats don't warrant even more governmental incursion into a constitutionally protected right. I understand that we probably wont agree on that.
Perhaps this is a great time to celebrate federalism, in which the states have the right to impose rules and regs that may differ from each other but fall within the broad parameters of constitutional review.
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Ancestor worship. The founders saw the musket as serious deadly force. And it was, in spite of the skill and time needed for each round. An assault rifle with high capacity clip is something even a brain damaged, misfit pantywaist can use for mass slaughter. Not sure what sort of sci-fi the founders were into or if it speculated about weapons of this sort.
I do agree that the 'gun-free' zones don't accomplish anything and could make the problem worse. And if I were a principal at any school, I think I'd find the idea of a revolver or two in a highly secure, quickly accessible safe an attractive idea. Some principals probably wouldn't.
But something in our belief system that guns will keep us safe has gone round the bend. Stats show over and over that guns in the house prevent an armed intruder less frequently than they're used for suicide or the killing of one family member by another, and by a wide margin IINM.
Any solutions won't be easy but I suspect there are many people like Lanza's mother who are clueless and delusional about their arsenal and its availability to others.
The human mind is funny in a weak kind of way. I recall as a 16 year old new kid in town fantasizing about commandeering the tank at the local armory and venting my wrath on my uncaring community. None would dare stand in the way of my prowess. I have no doubt that other immature souls feel the same way when they hold this or that assault rifle and imagine dispatching their foes.
I didn't have access to the tank but plenty of angry young misfits today have access to some serious weaponry.