Quote:
Originally posted by JohnS72
Criminals don't obey gun laws. 'Nuff said.
It seems like the anti-gun people are too busy trying to pile regulations onto law abiding citizens, but it's sad to realize that these restrictions will have absolutely no bearing at all on criminals.
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I don't see how you can state "Nuff said." Firearms laws
do have an effect on criminals. The question should be the amount.
Criminals who violate gun laws face and are given stricter sentences than those who do not.
Not every criminal obtains illegal guns. This might be attributed to higher costs associated with illegality, lack of motivation to obtain them, or the costs of illegally owning and using them, or some other reason--but the majority of the criminal population does not have or use firearms.
It may be difficult to determine the amount that violent crime is reduced as a result of firearm control and it may be insignificant, but that doesn't lead to the conclusion that there is no effect.
Through careful research we can determine the level of effect such measures have. This research doesn't seem to be able to be done in the highly politicized atmosphere we are currenlty in. To unquestioningly adhere to one of our founding principles without questioning its utility or ramifications is not only folly, it's dangerous.
Once we determine the benefits of gun control, we can weigh that against the costs to our perception of freedom and make an informed decision.
We don't hold other rights as inviolable and this one, a right that literally directly effects the health and lives of so many citizens, shouldn't be left unexamined or unbounded. For example, while we might feel we have the right to bear arms, there certainly isn't anything preventing the government from restricting the type or amount of weaponry that corporations can produce.
Very specific--limit the power of corporations to produce certain types and amounts of weapons, but allow persons to make and own firearms or purchase what is legally produced.