
So I pitched it and the admins approved it--outside of exceptions that have already been made, this is the ONLY thread in The Armory where the pros and cons of Gun Control can be debated. Actually, the title is a misnomer, because I am totally cool with you guys debating controlled access to all sorts of weapons. Guns, knives, explosive, pepper spray, tazers, whatever you want. Go nuts!
To get things kicked off on what I hope will become a completely ridiculous thread, I will summarize my own views on gun control:
1.) Feel free to assume I think any gun control law I don't specifically mention is stupid.
2.) Magazine capacity bans are idiotic.
3.) Open Carry/Concealed Carry restrictions are stupid.
4.) Assault Weapons bans are stupid.
5.) NFA laws governing suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs are stupid.
6.) "Weapons free" zones are stupid.
7.) Any law controlling access to or carry of any type of bladed weapon, stun gun, tazer, etc, is--you guessed it--stupid.
Areas where I am willing to consider firearms regulation:
1.) I am willing to consider the possibility that background checks serve as a deterrent for criminals. I do not believe this, but if I accept at face value the idea that the vast majority of defensive gun uses are not reported (which I do believe), then I am at least willing to consider that there is merit in background checks.
2.) I am willing to consider the possibility that select fire weapons should be subject to a more thorough background check, and MAYBE a 7 day waiting period, though I am not convinced. Why? Because it takes almost no skill whatsoever to modify a number of semi-auto firearms to operate in a select fire manner. As is, the current laws governing select fire weapons are ridiculous and need to go.
3.) I am willing to consider stiffer penalties for criminals who use deadly weapons
Finally, the most important reason I believe firearms ban to be stupid is that I think governments that are given sole monopoly over legitimized violence are likely to abuse it. I genuinely believe that it is healthy for our elected officials to live in fear of being run out of town by a violent mob. Creating a caste system of "haves" and "have nots," as has been done in the U.S., does not in any way whatsoever deter crime. In fact, if you recharacterized all crimes that fit the bill to either "fallout from the war on drugs" or "gang-related violence," a lot of "gun crimes" would cease to exist.
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