Ban handguns? Supreme Court taking a new look

[BlackCat]

DUH, but would it reduce crime? Obviously the kid killed in chicago by a railroad tie shows how creative people can be when guns are not available.

Maybe not, but there is a higher probability to survive.

[DinoDoc]

The 14th Amendment has been held to extend the fundamental rights of the Bill of Rights to the states. The question is: Is possessing a handgun a fundamental right.

This arguement goes against the modern trend of incorporation. I find it hard to believe now that the Court has crossed the line of saying that the 2nd Amendment is an individual right that they will not make the final step and incorporate it against states as well.

[Wezil]

Rah -

"go down a little" = "reduce"

I hear what you're saying. If you really want someone dead there are other ways to make it happen. The problem with guns is that the decision to kill and action accomplishing it can all be done in a split second. A decision that may go the other way with time to actually think about it or the reality of having to look your victim in the eyes while you are doing it is sure to reduce the number of murders.

[Zkribbler]

This arguement goes against the modern trend of incorporation. I find it hard to believe now that the Court has crossed the line of saying that the 2nd Amendment is an individual right that they will not make the final step and incorporate it against states as well.

I think you're absolutely right.

[Theben]

che and I used to work for a pizza guy a long time ago who was a morphine addict and has a license to carry a concealed handgun. Which he did. Charming fellow, especially after he was lit up and waving the gun around in the shop.

[bc1871]

A well armed population, keeps government in check!

[Zkribbler]

[SpencerH]

If someone could wave a magic wand and make all handguns disappear forever I would vote for it to happen in an instant. Until that day though, I'll oppose any law that seeks to hinder my right to defend myself from scumbags. Liberal attempts to eliminate firearm use merely reduce the ability of law abiding citizens to defend themselves. Here's a shocker, criminals dont give a **** about gun control laws.

[Zkribbler]

So, you're saying the "use a gun, go to prison" law is totally useless?

BTW: If someone breaks into your house, you're much more likely to hit him if you use a shotgun rather than a handgun.

[Lorizael]

If someone could wave a magic wand and make all handguns disappear forever I would vote for it to happen in an instant. Until that day though, I'll oppose any law that seeks to hinder my right to defend myself from scumbags. Liberal attempts to eliminate firearm use merely reduce the ability of law abiding citizens to defend themselves. Here's a shocker, criminals dont give a **** about gun control laws.

Would you support efforts, then, to reduce the number of available guns?

[Zkribbler]

[SpencerH]

So, you're saying the "use a gun, go to prison" law is totally useless?

I'd say that the evidence is overwhelming that is so.

BTW: If someone breaks into your house, you're much more likely to hit him if you use a shotgun rather than a handgun.

Thats true but people have to protect themselves from criminals and psycho's while outside their houses as well. Its not hard to imagine the reduction in street crime that would occur if everyone carried a shotgun and were willing to use them in their and others defense.

[SpencerH]

Would you support efforts, then, to reduce the number of available guns?

No. As I wrote previously such efforts only reduce the number of guns in the hands of law abiding people.

[Lorizael]

No. As I wrote previously such efforts only reduce the number of guns in the hands of law abiding people.

So, since the magic wand option isn't going to happen, you essentially support a solution that will indisputably never solve the problem of gun violence.

[Felch]

Gun violence isn't a problem. Gun violence is what brought us out of the dark ages. When you could equip a man with an musket and have him kill an armored knight, you took power away from knuckle-dragging professional warriors and gave it to industrious modern citizens.

The problem is criminals with guns. And the deeper problem is that criminals don't really care if it's a crime to own a gun. The solution is for good people to own shotguns. Like Zkribbler noted, the shotgun is more likely to be effective than the handgun. The spread out shot makes it easier to hit a target, and less likely to over-penetrate and harm innocent people.

Shotguns are awesome. Feel free to put that on my tombstone.