Things We Can Agree On: Gun Control

[John Galt]

[exploited]

Oh my god, it's as if rights have certain limits. Wow.

[Gremlin]

[John Galt]

[Davethulhu]

[wormwood]

I voted for "No restrictions" but there are a few I might budge on depending on how they are enacted.

I think bans based on class are just pandering to an ignorant mob. Assault rifles are used in a very low percentage of gun crime, but seem to be targeted because people that don't know anything about guns think they sound scary. Useless solution IMO.
Mandatory waiting periods don't seem particularly useful since we have waiting periods now, and gun crime still happens. Still, I can not envision a scenario in which I would need a gun immediately for anything good. This one might be okay.
Mandatory training depends on how it is carried out. I had to take a training class at 12 so I could go hunting, but it was mostly stuff like "don't point the gun at you or your friends". Yeah no shit. As long as it it reasonable and short I could be persuaded to go along with this. If it is used as a bureaucratic stumbling block to prevent ownership with unrealistic expectations I would not agree.
Controlling ammunition sales is too close to banning guns outright. Plus, some people know how to make their own ammo, so useless overall.
Age restrictions for purchase would be okay, but not for ownership. I got my first gun at 12, never shot anyone and never had any accidents.
Heavier security might be okay depending on how it is implemented. Having security guards at schools is fine, but I don't want to feel like I live in a police state where there are armed guards everywhere.

It seems to me that all of this talk about gun control measures are just predictable reactionary public outrage stoked by the media and politicians. I would be inclined to take this more seriously if the people calling for gun control were consistent. When the police shoot someone, where is the media calling for gun control for police, or the crocodile tears for the victims? I think most people realize that it would be ridiculous to disarm the police over the mistakes of a few people, because that would put them at the mercy of criminals with guns. Now just apply that logic to everyone else. I should not have my rights diminished or have to jump through hoops because some jackass goes on a shooting spree. The fact that we are even discussing what measures to take against the public's constitutionally protected right, is the result of a few politicians, many of whom are protected by armed body guards and secret service, publicizing this to push their pre-existing values on everyone else. If they want to disarm their body guards and lead by example, I might listen. Otherwise, I don't really support any measures against the public.

[Aaron]

[Ben Huh]

Problem with waiting periods is that it only effects guns being sold at gun shops. It has no effect on sales made between individuals, ie I am selling a gun I own to someone else. That is where you would run into the "private property" arguments.

[PoS]

[spacemonkey]

In this particular subject, there is no 100% fix all solution, and never will be.