20/20 on Gun Control

[nk_lion]

I'm on the fence about gun control. I don't own one, nor am I planning to buy one any time soon. In Canada, there wasn't an issue with gun violence until just recently, and it's mostly gangs killing each other (which to me is more like public service by saving the police from arresting them, charging them, prosecuting them, then jailing them).

But as of recent, there seems to be a trend that a lot of border towns and cities are being affected by gun being smuggled over, which is simply creating a nuicance. So for gun laws in Canada, I think we need to secure our borders more.

Now in US, the main arguement that I've heard for the legality of owning a gun is an ammendment that is more then 200 years old. And even when they quote that ammendment, they leave out more then half of it. I believe the entire thing is more like this:-
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

So back in the 18th century, if people still remember their history, the colonies of 'America' were trying to break away from England. After independance, the United States of America was in no way the powerhouse that it is today, so if my knowledge of history is correct, this ammendment was added simply to ensure that all Americans had a right to own a gun incase the English or Native Americans had to be fought with.

Now, this is were my logic about this ammendment differs a bit from a few pro-gun folks. If there is no threat to the US, in terms of an invasion, it would make the necessity the right to bear arms invalid, right?

Plus, if people are so worried about the constituion, and sticking to the letter, then the Patriot Act wouldn't have come into effect in 2001.

Anyhow, the saying that guns don't kill people, people kill people is completely true. Just as true as saying alchohol do not cause drunk driving accidents, people cause that. It's completely true, it's your method of perspective. And actually, in writing this post, I think I lean against owning guns completely. While I agree with Electric Badger that if one of those students in Virgina Tech had own a gun, they could shoot that killer, what about cases when a guy get's drunk, and someone shoves him the wrong way? Personally, I don't drink, but I have seen some completely nice people transform when they're drunk, and I wouldn't even trust them with a pocket knife let alone a gun.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

[nia25]

What you say is true, however personally I look at guns as I do a baseball bat. It's a tool to use for a sport. I don't go around hunting or anything like that, and I certainly would not shoot someone unless I absolutely had to for self defense... even then I don't know if I could do it. I feel that we should be able to own guns... why not? I also feel that ANYONE wanting to own a gun could benefit from a gun safety course. But the stupidity over the gun control is certain ones are illegal that are pretty much no different than the legal ones. Except maybe how many bullets they hold. It is rediculous!!!

[bthest]

If there is no threat to the US, in terms of an invasion, it would make the necessity the right to bear arms invalid, right?

Plus, if people are so worried about the constituion, and sticking to the letter, then the Patriot Act wouldn't have come into effect in 2001.

Many consider the patriot act to be a threat to the US and many, many people are worried about it. The Patriot Act was passed by congress and not a national referendum so we Americans didn't have much to say the in the matter.

The 2nd Amendment and militia doesn't apply solely to foreign threats. See Hurricane Katrina for instance.

Also there have been recent court rulings in the past few years that 2nd amendment doesn't protect militias but individuals.

So the 2nd Amendment is still valid and useful in my opinion as recent events and court rulings have shown.