3 ms·

The real reason we won't solve it is because gun control has no teeth and the NRA has too much money. And neither Democrats nor Republicans can piss off the NRA

The real reason we won't solve it is because gun control has no teeth and the NRA has too much money. And neither Democrats nor Republicans can piss off the NRA. The one thing that could be done is to repeal the outdated and useless second amendment, but nobody is willing to commit political suicide to do that (if that is even possible).

EpicEng 10y ago
I agree with you re: the 2nd ammendment, but let's say we repeal it; what's next? How are you going to collect all of the guns that are already out there? I suppose you could outlaw bullets, but people can make them at home (and they will, en masse) . You've just created a huge black market for guns and ammo. I don't know what the answer is, but I don't think it's as simple as repealing the 2nd (which isn't going to happen any time soon regardless) . We need a practical solution.
- gravypod 10y ago
  That is reportedly what happened in Australia. People sold their guns on the market for twice what the government was buying them back for. They had a huge amount of increased gun violence after the buy back.
  - Kurimo 10y ago
    Statistics? Because every actual statistic shows the opposite. http://www.factcheck.org/2009/05/gun-control-in-australia/ http://www.factcheck.org/2009/05/gun-control-in-australia/
- ld00d 10y ago
  Not the OP, but removing the 2nd amendment doesn't make guns illegal. Cars are not constitutionally protected for example. But cars can more easily be regulated because imposing regulations on them doesn't bring us into a constitutional argument over the intentions of the founders regarding the individual's right to a car.
- Cshelton 10y ago
  Don't forget 3D printing. Removing guns is not a possible solution. That argument is null, and anyone who brings it up is not looking to realistically solve any problem, just push political agenda. With that, "gun free zones" need to be eliminated as they are false. There is no such thing as a gun free zone. Period. You cannot argue that point, it is fact. Also, if the 2nd amendment is repealed or changed in any way, that will effectively be the end of the United States of America. It will fall apart and states will leave the Union. (Which by the way, Texas can legally leave the union any time they want.) Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, LA, AR, all would likely be the the first to go, and with it a considerable amount of the US military/resources. Any war following that would assure mutual destruction.
Gibbon1 10y ago
I think the public political issue is about 'gun rights vs fear' The actual issue is over the right of the gun manufacturers to increase their sales by 5-10% per year as required by neoliberal economic policy. Thus the fight is limited to 'fancy' assault rifles which are a relatively small percentage of gun sales. Vs handguns which are a large and growing percentage.
poke111 10y ago
https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?id=d000000082 https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?id=d000000082 The NRA has power because people support their mission. They are not especially big political spenders.

EpicEng 10y ago

I agree with you re: the 2nd ammendment, but let's say we repeal it; what's next? How are you going to collect all of the guns that are already out there? I suppose you could outlaw bullets, but people can make them at home (and they will, en masse) . You've just created a huge black market for guns and ammo. I don't know what the answer is, but I don't think it's as simple as repealing the 2nd (which isn't going to happen any time soon regardless) . We need a practical solution.

gravypod 10y ago
That is reportedly what happened in Australia. People sold their guns on the market for twice what the government was buying them back for. They had a huge amount of increased gun violence after the buy back.
- Kurimo 10y ago
  Statistics? Because every actual statistic shows the opposite. http://www.factcheck.org/2009/05/gun-control-in-australia/ http://www.factcheck.org/2009/05/gun-control-in-australia/
ld00d 10y ago
Not the OP, but removing the 2nd amendment doesn't make guns illegal. Cars are not constitutionally protected for example. But cars can more easily be regulated because imposing regulations on them doesn't bring us into a constitutional argument over the intentions of the founders regarding the individual's right to a car.
Cshelton 10y ago
Don't forget 3D printing. Removing guns is not a possible solution. That argument is null, and anyone who brings it up is not looking to realistically solve any problem, just push political agenda. With that, "gun free zones" need to be eliminated as they are false. There is no such thing as a gun free zone. Period. You cannot argue that point, it is fact. Also, if the 2nd amendment is repealed or changed in any way, that will effectively be the end of the United States of America. It will fall apart and states will leave the Union. (Which by the way, Texas can legally leave the union any time they want.) Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, LA, AR, all would likely be the the first to go, and with it a considerable amount of the US military/resources. Any war following that would assure mutual destruction.

Gibbon1 10y ago

I think the public political issue is about 'gun rights vs fear' The actual issue is over the right of the gun manufacturers to increase their sales by 5-10% per year as required by neoliberal economic policy. Thus the fight is limited to 'fancy' assault rifles which are a relatively small percentage of gun sales. Vs handguns which are a large and growing percentage.

poke111 10y ago

https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?id=d000000082 https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?id=d000000082 The NRA has power because people support their mission. They are not especially big political spenders.