Dear Connecticut...

[Highlander]

Gun violence is up (in London) and is mostly drugs related and one section of the community... We even have a specialist force (Trident) trying to bring it under control, and failing...

[Pilgrim]

I recently heard the number (can't recall the source) that there are 90 firearms per 100 people in the US.

That's not an installed base of firearms that is going to go away.

[Dave W]

45% of Minnesota households have guns. No idea how that works out in terms of guns per person. This is a big hunting state, there's an official governor's deer hunting opener and pheasant hunting opener. Our current governor is a pheasant hunter.

In any case, there will be formidable opposition to any change. If it happens it would only be after a brutal fight. And that would be for minimal changes. That's why I said it's pointless to debate a ban on all semi-automatic weapons. It's a non-starter at this time.

[dadagoboi]

I recently heard he number (can't recall the source) that there are 90 firearms per 100 people in the US.

That's not an installed base of firearms that is going to go away.

So I guess we just give up and follow the NRA's advice.

How about this crazy idea?  Turn in your guns or take personal eye for an eye responsibility for each one.  Someone steals your gun and commits a crime with it, you go to jail.  He kills somebody with it, you die.  20 people? You and 19 of your relatives.  You can have your gun if you treat it like your life, period.

Sound extreme?  No more extreme to me than being forced to live in an ever escalating gun society, which is ALWAYS the answer from the NRA.

[Dave W]

I can't see many politicians following the NRA's latest advice, yet you'd be surprised how many people would be willing to turn public schools into armed camps.

[dadagoboi]

I can't see many politicians following the NRA's latest advice, yet you'd be surprised how many people would be willing to turn public schools into armed camps.

I'm quite sure a majority of the population of Florida is not in favor of 'Stand your Ground', guns in bars, guns in privately owned employee parking lots, concealed carry in schools etc. that have been pushed thru by legislators happy to take NRA money.  Perhaps we see a start to limiting their lunacy.

[nofi]

i went to a couple guns stores today and it was telling. save for a few .22s all the long guns were gone and a good third of handguns. most pistol ammunition had vanished as well. it's a wonder what a little paranoia will do for sales.

[Denis]

I can't see many politicians following the NRA's latest advice, yet you'd be surprised how many people would be willing to turn public schools into armed camps.

Funny you mention that. I have a couple of friends who have pretty much nonstop posted on Facebook photo after photo after photo with added comments like "If the President can be defended with guns, why can't you?", blah blah blah. At the same time they are calling the US a police state.

Although I understand the thought process behind having a cop at every school (and many do anyway) it seems a slippery slope to some degree.

Personally, I think the NRA and that asshole, Wayne LaPierre, missed a great opportunity for the NRA to partially bridge the gap between their hardcore members/supporters and those who are for more stringent gun control.

That graphic going around now which reads, "Put A Teacher In Every Gun Store", is pretty on point in more ways than one.

[the mojo hobo]

... UK ... Ireland ... share in large parts a common heritage and common values with you.

There is one big difference though. In America the vast majority is descended from people had the gumption to leave their homeland in search of a better life. Maybe they are a little more aggressive than those who stayed behind.

[Denis]

There is one big difference though. In America the vast majority is descended from people had the gumption to leave their homeland in search of a better life. Maybe they are a little more aggressive than those who stayed behind.

Hmm, that's an interesting theory and it makes much sense.

[patman]

Europe tends to be a more homogenous society...including ethnic backgrounds, education levels, socioeconomic levels.

America has a more heterogeneous society, including more disparity in educational levels and socioeconomic levels.

I think that's why American society is more violent.

[Denis]

True on one hand, but when Europe goes ballistic it tends to cause the death of millions.

[patman]

hasn't occurred for a few years...but my daughter visited the balkans a couple years ago, and she said it felt like it was about to go up in smoke...

[uwe]

Maybe because we went ballistic once, it taught us a lesson or two. Nothing like losing two World Wars and having laid your country to waste to realize that being well-armed - the Third Reich certainly wasn't underarmed - isn't always the key to a healthy future. We do alright without too much private gun ownership, no guns for my son to steal in my cupboard, to buy on the black market, at a gun show or at a legal gun store.

[gweimer]

Maybe because we went ballistic once, it taught us a lesson or two. Nothing like losing two World Wars and having laid your country to waste to realize that being well-armed - the Third Reich certainly wasn't underarmed - isn't always the key to a healthy future. We do alright without too much private gun ownership, no guns for my son to steal in my cupboard, to buy on the black market, at a gun show or at a legal gun store.

I've always said that the Japanese never truly ended WWII.  They just found a much more effective approach to taking over the USA - just buy it.