NRA board member blames pastor for Charleston deaths

[Expat1 971]

You do realize gun culture was around before the so called "thug culture." The Wild West ring any bells to you? Gun slingers? That thug below sure doesn't look black. By the way, when are we meeting again? You keep dodging me. Trying to meet you in real life.

Billy the Kid

Another victim of a failed mental health system LOL

Edited June 21, 2015 by Expat1

[Expat1 971]

Actually it is the guns.

We have become a society that has become obsessed with firearms. To the point that some people can't even leave their homes without having a couple of weapons strapped to their own bodies. Guns aren't more restricted, if that were true we wouldn't have people killing their whole families and then offing themselves. Folks aren't about using their brains or even fists to resolve issues. It's pretty much kill or be killed, even when it's not. Not to mention guns are nothing what they were like 30 years ago. They're bigger and more destructive. Also, guns are idolized. In movies, books, tv. Every rapper that folks claim made the thug culture, those dude's model for it? Capone, Gotti, Scarface. It goes back decades.

The problem is, we care more about owning guns than saving lives. Because now, it's I need a gun to protect myself and family. Folks are more than willing to accept the bloodshed, as long as it doesn't end up on their doorstep and infringes on their rights. That's why it's a shame that so many people die in these instances, and we can't even have a decent conversation about gun control.

There's no point talking about this with you.

Pretty much everyone I know owns a gun of some sort or another. None of those people embrace "thug" (white or black thug) culture. Those who do seem to be the ones who are most likely to misuse their guns.

If guns and gun ownership were the root source of the problem of gun violence wouldn't this violence be scattered equally through the ranks of all gun owners?

It is not. Nobody here can even pretend that it is. So isn't there more to this problem than just the presence of a gun?

[Jacque67 7,328]

Only well educated gentlemen should have guns.

Edited June 21, 2015 by Jacque67

[Ban Hammer 12,835]

Only well educated gentlemen should have guns.

that sounds sexist.....

[lostinblue 1,989]

Only well educated gentlemen should have guns.

Should vote ?

[ready4ONE 5,400]

Should vote ?

The 1950's called. They would like their socio-political beliefs back.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Should vote ?

You do realize this would remove the option to vote for you right?

Pretty much everyone I know owns a gun of some sort or another. None of those people embrace "thug" (white or black thug) culture. Those who do seem to be the ones who are most likely to misuse their guns.

If guns and gun ownership were the root source of the problem of gun violence wouldn't this violence be scattered equally through the ranks of all gun owners?

It is not. Nobody here can even pretend that it is. So isn't there more to this problem than just the presence of a gun?

It's not just the gun. I'm talking about the gun culture in general.

Look at these mass shootings and personal execution style killings. If guns have become smaller and more restricted, why are these killings happening more and more?

[Boiler 43,429]

It's not just the gun. I'm talking about the gun culture in general.

What is gun culture?

[JohnR! 5,495]

:rofl: :rofl:

You do realize this would remove the option to vote for you right?

It's not just the gun. I'm talking about the gun culture in general.

Look at these mass shootings and personal execution style killings. If guns have become smaller and more restricted, why are these killings happening more and more?

Edited June 21, 2015 by JohnR!

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

You do realize this would remove the option to vote for you right?

It's not just the gun. I'm talking about the gun culture in general.

Look at these mass shootings and personal execution style killings. If guns have become smaller and more restricted, why are these killings happening more and more?

Bingo you are getting. It

[Teddy B 17,251]

You forgot to mention me.

Never forget you Spooks!

Here's a lil somethin for ya bud.

[decocker 7,198]

Pretty much everyone I know owns a gun of some sort or another. None of those people embrace "thug" (white or black thug) culture. Those who do seem to be the ones who are most likely to misuse their guns.

If guns and gun ownership were the root source of the problem of gun violence wouldn't this violence be scattered equally through the ranks of all gun owners?

It is not. Nobody here can even pretend that it is. So isn't there more to this problem than just the presence of a gun?

yes. i actually think the gun debate is distracting to the true issue. the guns are here, they aren't going anywhere. in my mind it all boils down to a clear disrespect of life.

[Jacque67 7,328]

The 1950's called. They would like their socio-political beliefs back.

I think this is the mind set of many of the losers here;)

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

yes. i actually think the gun debate is distracting to the true issue. the guns are here, they aren't going anywhere. in my mind it all boils down to a clear disrespect of life.

Yes, this. It's not that guns are bad. It's that the specific gun culture of America (and many countries have different gun cultures, so there is not one monolithic worldwide gun culture) dictates that guns are PRIMARILY for defense. Now, that is not to say that there are not people in other gun cultures who use their guns for defense--there certainly are--but, at least in the type of gun culture that I grew up in, the thing guns were PRIMARILY for was killing.

Justifying the presence of a loaded and ready gun by saying 'it is for self defense' causes a one place removal of the fact that a gun is for killing.

My ex that almost got shot by the racoon, he kept a loaded gun in the top of his closet as an adult, after having survived the racoon incident. He lived in the same house as his 9 year old sister. I was shocked to learn that he had it. I asked him 'aren't you worried that your sister might find it and kill herself by accident?' and his response was to give me a look like I was insane and say 'but it's for home defense.' As if it being for home defense meant it was not a killing implement. He had almost been killed by an improperly secured, loaded and readied gun as a child and he was so deeply steeped in the version of gun culture that America has that I was stupid to think of his gun as a killing implement before a home defense implement.

The problem with American gun culture is that guns are seen as being not significantly different from an alarm system that would bring trained gun users (police) to your home. Any layman can pick up a weapon and load it and it's the same kind of insurance as an alarm system.

The problem is, a loaded weapon is a killing implement and should always, always be regarded as such. That is why I feel that gun owners should have to apply for a license to carry and attend some kind of 'gun owners ed' and carry liability insurance, the same way I have to be responsible when I drive a car.

[Boiler 43,429]

If people were going up and down the public highway shooting their guns then there should absolutely be a requirement for insurance.

As an aside most States requirements for Auto Liability Insurance are minuscule.

You do not have to have liability insurance for a motorized vehicle, you do if you want to use it on public roads.

If you want to conceal carry then you need a license, certainly in my State, Amusingly there was a lot more to getting that than getting a Drivers License. Drivers License 15 minutes, Concealed Carry Permit 2 days.