3 ms·

It's funny how everyone has their own take on what the "real" problem is that seems to absolve their own "side" of any responsibility. And, I'll grant that thi

by ajross 4y ago

It's funny how everyone has their own take on what the "real" problem is that seems to absolve their own "side" of any responsibility. And, I'll grant that this is a real issue and that there's too much media coverage of these things, focusing too much on the personalities of the criminals. But that said... Mass murderers have been famous throughout history (by at least one reasonable definition, most of "history" is defined as a list of who killed who). But in 1962 the most effective weapon you could find to perform one was a bolt action hunting rifle, breech loading shotgun, or plausibly a six-shot revolver that took 90+ seconds to reload. Now you run to the corner store and get equipment that can deliver a hundred rounds in a minute. Arguing that this simple issue of equipment technology and availability is not at least part of the problem seems ridiculous on its face.

teakettle42 4y ago
You could legally own a machine gun in 1962. Plenty of options were available, including the AR-15 — with full auto, which is no longer available today. Here’s a 1964 ad for a commercial AR-15 model: https://www.ebay.com/itm/403353839122 https://www.ebay.com/itm/403353839122 Also, a six shot revolver can be reloaded in seconds using a speed loader; basically, a piece of plastic that holds six rounds of ammunition in the right position to drop directly into the cylinder. Police officers commonly carried them.
closewith 4y ago
I believe in stricter gun control, but the US was awash with civilian M1s in 1960s. The civilian marksmanship program gave them out for peanuts.
- tablespoon 4y ago
  > I believe in stricter gun control, but the US was awash with civilian M1s in 1960s. The civilian marksmanship program gave them out for peanuts. Specifically, M-1 Carbines, which are all gone now from that program. My understanding is they're the easy-to-shoot, high-capacity magazine-fed predecessor to the AR-15.

by ajross 4y ago

teakettle42 4y ago

You could legally own a machine gun in 1962. Plenty of options were available, including the AR-15 — with full auto, which is no longer available today. Here’s a 1964 ad for a commercial AR-15 model: https://www.ebay.com/itm/403353839122 https://www.ebay.com/itm/403353839122 Also, a six shot revolver can be reloaded in seconds using a speed loader; basically, a piece of plastic that holds six rounds of ammunition in the right position to drop directly into the cylinder. Police officers commonly carried them.

closewith 4y ago

I believe in stricter gun control, but the US was awash with civilian M1s in 1960s. The civilian marksmanship program gave them out for peanuts.

tablespoon 4y ago
> I believe in stricter gun control, but the US was awash with civilian M1s in 1960s. The civilian marksmanship program gave them out for peanuts. Specifically, M-1 Carbines, which are all gone now from that program. My understanding is they're the easy-to-shoot, high-capacity magazine-fed predecessor to the AR-15.