I guess they think "criminals" buy guns legitimately. [video=youtube;BO94AdhCg0k]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO94AdhCg0k&feature=player_embedded[/video]
Don't you know that the mere mention of ANY type of gun control sets off a node in gun-owners' brains that screams THEY'RE COMIN' TO GET ALL OUR GUNS!!!!
Chicago had a handgun ban forever up until last year, then they finally got rid of it when they realized it didn't lower the crime rate, and all it was doing was preventing citizens from protecting themselves. I mean... if I'm gonna go kill someone, I'm gonna make sure I do it with a legal, registered gun. Wouldn't any criminal?
Yet Europe has strict gun control laws and their homicide and violent crime rates are a tiny fraction of ours. Canada does not have strict laws, and their violent crime rate is low, too. It must be the water. It's a confusing issue to me. I don't own any guns but most of my friends do. I've gone hunting and shot skeet and bottles and tin cans and had a blast. I still find gun owners' reactions amusing.
If you follow the video it tells you to visit their web site, mayorsagainstillegalguns.com. Their web site supports quite a few different bills which honestly would have absolutely no effect on illegal weapons getting into the hands of criminals. First off, they support registration of all guns across the United States, which would prevent citizens from selling their own weapons without the help of a gun shop. Requiring registration of all weapons for every sale would just be another hassle for gun owners, and would have no effect on criminals with guns due to what Nidex said. They also support state control of concealed carry permits, which I don't honestly understand. Any state that regulates the release of concealed carry permits based upon the opinions of police will open the door for further corruption. At least if they leave it open to citizens, it allows another level of protection for them. I will tell you that if I were considering committing a crime, I would think twice about doing it in a state with less strict weapons laws. ~Will Courtier~
I never said I went to their site, but more importantly, Lurker didn't either. That was sort of the point. We have state controlled conceal and carry in Missouri-- and all the cops were vehemently against it. In fact they were able to block it several times. I'm not sure what you're saying here, how state control leads to "further" corruption, and what "other level of protection" do you mean? I actually disagree with total registration. But I guess I have trouble with these arguments that gun control laws do nothing to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, when the evidence at least from Europe is that indeed they appear to do just that.
I'm against illegal guns as well. So we're in agreement I guess? Guns for the law abiding but not for criminals........isn't that already a law?
That's why the gunowner worry. There are laws on the books already. We don't need new laws, we need the current laws to be enforced. New laws just mean stricter control and when those are no longer being enforced, they same entities will want even stricter laws until finally they can convince the public that a total outright ban is a good idea. Gun owners know when they're getting played. The 2nd amendment is there for a reason. Loose that, and you loose the rest.
Connecticut has some of the strictest gun laws on the books, and it's still easy for legitimate citizens to get a permit and buy/sell weapons. Sure, permits take 2-3 months to get (FBI BG check taking the longest), and it is up to local town/city chief's of police to approve, but there are appeal processes to higher state govt's in the event your application is rejected. Helps fight corruption at the town levels where it's more likely. The bill about the govt getting involved with every gun registration is not that big a deal. The same thing happens here in Connecticut. Any sales of guns, whether private or through a gun shop needs to go through the Dept. of Public Safety where they record every transaction and run a (quick, automated) background check on the buyer. With a personal to personal sale, the buyer can call the DPS him/herself and facilitate the same sale that a gun shop is able to do.
2-3 months is the problem. (imho)These laws and limitations only serve to promote illegal gun sales. If you need to protect yourself today or the SHTF in a short amount of time, who's willing to wait 2-3 months? Questions: Do we allow agencies to "regulate" to the point so many regulations progress, namely total ineffectiveness? Do we allow our constitutional rights fall into the realm of administrative laws controls, or do we want them to be managed by elected officials who we hire or fire?
I never understood why people need to jump through so many hoops to own a handgun. I honestly don't see the big deal. Do I need my backround checked if I want to own a Lambo or a Ferrari? Used improperly I can kill with a SMART Car.
I was raised in a pretty corrupt town. Although it was just a small farming community, there was a corruption. For instance, the sheriff was responsible for approving all concealed carry permits. That gave him the power to control who legally had weapons and who didn't. I can personally tell you that the sheriff was quite easily bought off with beer or money. That is the corruption I am talking about. Anytime you leave people in charge of the rights of others, there is an open window for corruption. Look at our entire government (congress, president, etc...). They have the power to make decisions on a grand scale and are easily swayed by the lobbyists in D.C. ~Will Courtier~
Corruption is present just as much in small towns as big cities, if not more so. The "good ole boy" system.
Ahhhh. Our local Sheriff is a baldface liar, but I've never heard too many complaints about the conceal and carry permits. I don't know how much discretion the local cops are given. I know you have to pass a gun safety class and have a fairly clean record, and (I think) not have a history of civil commitments. I think if you qualify they have to give it out, but I'm curious now so I'll ask around.
Yes, I'm fine with a 2-3 month waiting period. I don't want some random felon receiving a permit/handgun the same day because of the lack of ANY controls on the system. Let's be honest, some law abiding citizen that wants to get a gun for personal protection isn't going to go out and get an illegal handgun. They're going to follow the process and wait the time. If you need a gun THAT bad for personal protection, go out and get a shotgun. No permit required, only 14 day waiting period, and much better at SD in a home situation than a handgun any day of the week.
Wow, I feel really bad for a lot of you guys. I have bought 5-6 guns here in Virginia with absolutely no waiting period at all. I have bought 3 pistols, 2 high powered rifles (1 of which is a .308 FAL assault rifle), and a .22 bolt action target rifle. I honestly wouldn't fight through the BS involved with waiting to get a weapon legally. I would honestly probably just buy from other legal citizens using cash. I don't believe in gun registrfation (a.k.a. tracking). If you think for one second that these criminals can't (or won't) do the exact same thing, then you are sadly mistaken. Just gotta be honest. ~Will Courtier~
A felon is not allowed to own firearms...period. A "random felon" buy their's illegally. Where else is a theif going to sell those guns they steal from you and I? Even a 14 day waiting period is an infringement on your rights as afforded by the constitution, especially in the age of computers, smartphones and data bases that hold all info on everyone. IE:There should be an app for that.
I know we won't see eye to eye on this topic, so we'll leave it at that. I personally don't have an issue with the waiting periods for individuals without a permit, nor the waiting period with applying for and receiving a pistol permit. "Random felon" was a bad choice of words - it was more so, people with previous records such as restraining orders put against them, documented psychological issues, etc. If Arizona had stricter laws, perhaps the shooting last January at the supermarket would've been avoided. I know what they're trying to do won't be perfect and will have its flaws, but anything is a step in the right direction. I'm fine with my constitutional rights being "infringed" upon to even get 1 illegal gun off the street (infringed used loosely in quotes because I still have the right to bear arms and as many as I want). Regarding purchases, once I have my permit, I can purchase as many guns as I want and take them home the same day. The waiting period is strictly for individuals without a permit who want to purchase a shotgun or rifle (no permit required for those). But then again, I'm fairly liberal when it comes to certain things, so I'm OK with government involvement when it comes to these types of issues.
