Thank you for the laugh, MsKemple!I started chuckling at monsters under the bed and lost it completely at Richard Simmons. :)Anything I might add would be anti climatic.Smilingly,C.
Your blanket statement closes your mind to other possibilities. Let’s put it to you this way: which is easier to determine: if a person has a gun, or if that person is mentally stable?
But back to my continual point, speaking of doing “NOTHING” about it…..
I ask: What can we do about gun violence?
Gun owner reply: You ain’t taking away my guns.
I submit that the answer does not have anything to do with the question. Until I get a better answer, I’ll agree that nothing will be done regardless of what side of the fence one chooses.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I cannot understand how it seems that everyone on all sides says “let’s enforce the laws currently on the books”, and then we don’t. I don’t get it.
Major thanks for having an answer better then “you ain’t takin’ my guns”.
I agree with almost all your points. Here’s hoping some action will follow these words.
I agree, you can’t stop gun carnage regardless, just as you’ll never stop drunk driving. But, just as with drunk driving, IF our society wants to, we can certainly reduce the amount. Do we have the desire? That remains to be seen.
Strangely enough, a very reasonable post, thanks, and congratulations! I would more than be happy if the NRA were really to be put in charge of licensing people to legitimately own guns. They certainly could teach a standard gun safety course as a prerequisite for obtaining such a license. Teaching a gun safety class such as that, which would also stop at least some of these tragic children getting a hold of guns and killing others (even in their own families).
Heck, I have even stated it before, I would also be happy to see the types of testosterone augmented people be able to go to special firing ranges, where they could blast away with fully automated machine guns to their heats content (as long as they pay for the ammo and such)!!
Nobody, no not even the hated president Obama, is trying to take legitimate and fully legal firearms away from honest American citizens. We all know it would be suicidal (literally as well as politically) to even try. But, some weaponry is just to lethal to the general citizenry to have in the hands of anybody but militarily or police trained people outside of such special firing ranges.
As to the problem of the insane, or even just mentally unstable getting a hold of firearms, I wish there was a truly simple answer. But this problem is a vastly complex issue. Just who says that an individual is in that category anyway. The government? The firearms industry? You? Me? Or anybody for that matter? Trained (and fully funded) psychiatrists? I would hope that you actually have any good suggestions, then I am certainly all ears, but it is a confusing issue at the best, and one that literally thousands of years of human civilization has yet to answer!!
And like all anti-gun folks they ignore the facts, and ignore the underlying mental illness throughout so many shootings. And do NOTHING about it.The media sensationalizes the mass murderers, but most murders are done by (relatively) sane people in domestic disputes and gang related shootings.One of the favorite arguments is to be that if more people carry guns, everyone will think twice before using their own. That idea doesn’t seem to be working with the gangs in inner cities. They are still eager to shoot at their rivals. I doubt that anyone thinks giving them more guns would help the situation.
Enforce the laws on the books. Stop desensitizing young people to violence and killing. Educate children about guns so there is no curiosity factor.You make some great points. I would add that local gun laws are basically at the level of the lowest common denominator in any region. Passing strict laws regulating gun purchases, doesn’t have much effect when the towns/states next door do not do the same. Educating kids to be responsible & respectful with guns is fine, but no substitute for gun safety. Many of the accidental shootings involving kids happen in homes where the kids were taught about responsible gun use. Having unlocked guns in the home is a recipe for tragedy.
Gun violence costs America billions of dollars annually in health care!In the interest of accuracy, the $37 billion cited is the cost of health care PLUS the loss of the economic productivity of people shot by guns. Actual medical costs are ~ $1 billion a year. Your point stands: gun violence has a major economic impact.
I am probably every bit as conservative as the most conservative on this comment board when it comes to sternly teaching gun safety to children. My grand father (probably the finest man I ever knew in a long life of knowing men) was a policeman. He used to take his .38 caliber police revolver off and place it on his chest of drawers in his and my grand mother’s room. I was allowed the great privileged of seeing him do this, but I would never even think of going into his room without his presence with me, let alone touching anything that was his. In that era (1940’s to 1960’s) a child just did not touch a respected family adults items without direct permission from that adult, it just was NOT done!!
When he felt it was time, he took me out and made a very convincing demonstration of the power of such weaponry by placing a two by four up against an embankment and shooting it at close range with his revolver. Not only was a hole put clean though the board, but an entire piece of the wood was also dislodged from it. He then stated that if his revolver would do that to a solid piece of wood, just what did I think it would do to a human being such as myself? He then proceeded to show me just exactly how the gun was not only placed in safe mode, but also how to make sure that it was indeed safely unloaded. I have always been fantastically grateful for those simple, but very affective lessons.
I see absolutely no reason why active duty policemen or retirees from the police departments of this great country could not only demonstrate the power of such weaponry, but even also teach total gun safety to even relatively young children, in a safe school environment. If that is an NRA or a very conservative attitude, then so be it. There have been far too many instances of children killing or,maiming others, even family members with guns in the news today, and it MUST STOP!!!!
So your “facts” mean that it is now acceptable for such deaths to occur? And who says that such deaths are even always reported? Especially, in such gang related areas as some of our fellow citizens are forced to live in? Because such deaths are less in numbers than drownings, that makes such deaths acceptable? And personally, children’s deaths by any preventable means is a great tragedy, whether by drowning in swimming pools or by hand gun is irrelevant, especially to those who love them!!
Heck, for that matter the actual numbers of our service men and women being killed in recent relatively useless wars is also very small when compared to the actual numbers of people serving in the military itself. I am also just as certain that is a great comfort to those whose relatives of those that have been killed also , would it not be?
The insensitivity of some on these boards to make a point, to the suffering of others of our fellow Americans, is just plain incredible to me!!
Exactly what “rights” are you as a legitimate gun owner having infringed upon by any governmental agency? I live in one of the toughest states in the union for legal gun ownership (yes, the ultra conservative hated California, and I love it!). If I wish to purchase a lethal hand gun, I can go to a legitimate gun shop almost anywhere, and purchase one. I certainly would want my hand gun to be registered as such purchases are expensive, and with it registered, if it is even stolen from me (and I am one that would check on such a weapon almost daily, so I would know if it were taken) I would not only not be charged with any crime using said weapon, but would even have at least a chance of eventually getting my expensive weapon back to me. As I have absolutely no thought of ever using such a weapon in any kind of illegal activity, I do not fear the authorities ever even taking notice that I have such a weapon unless it were stolen from me. So exactly how am I then constrained in my legal ownership of such a weapon?
<p. In fact, I would even seek out the help of the local police in buying a home defense weapon that would not penetrate my apartment walls and possibly kill or injure my neighbors. The kind of gun paranoia that I sometimes see exhibited on this comment board by even supposedly legitimate gun owners, reminds me of the words of one of our greatest presidents: “The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself!”
TSA security proved effective, huh? and there WERE armed police, supposed to be within two minutes away at all times, but apparently they were a few seconds late at LAX. Even at that, while the actual shooting didn’t last long, it was enough.
I agree with Mossad: IF you let them (terrorists or armed folks) get INTO THE TERMINAL, your “security” is worthless.
I AM a gun owner, concealed permit holder, competent marksman, and support the Second Amendment (in it’s entirety, including “well regulated”), but I cannot support the irrational approach of the NRA regarding concealable high capacity weapons (pistols or short barreled “rifles” like MAC and UZI), nor hgh capacity center-fire caliber weapons.
^My nephew has two “Legal” automatic weapons, the problem is the ease with which the “bangers” etc, can obtain them illegally. It’s a similar situation with “prescription” drugs that are manufactured FAR IN EXCESS of “legitimately prescribed” amounts, and then end up in the “black market”. Sorry, but the responsibility for the availability of both rests with the manufacturers. The NRA supports the manufacture and sale of massive numbers of these weapons, just as “trade organizations” don’t want DEA controlling the flow of dangerous “prescription” drugs on our streets, which, happens to tie into that flow of guns as well.
PICTO over 10 years ago
I’m sure that once everybody has a gun the killing will stop.
chazandru over 10 years ago
Thank you for the laugh, MsKemple!I started chuckling at monsters under the bed and lost it completely at Richard Simmons. :)Anything I might add would be anti climatic.Smilingly,C.
ransomdstone over 10 years ago
Great cartoon Benson!
I Play One On TV over 10 years ago
A world without Richard Simmons? Where’s the recruiting office?
I Play One On TV over 10 years ago
Your blanket statement closes your mind to other possibilities. Let’s put it to you this way: which is easier to determine: if a person has a gun, or if that person is mentally stable?
But back to my continual point, speaking of doing “NOTHING” about it…..
I ask: What can we do about gun violence?
Gun owner reply: You ain’t taking away my guns.
I submit that the answer does not have anything to do with the question. Until I get a better answer, I’ll agree that nothing will be done regardless of what side of the fence one chooses.
I Play One On TV over 10 years ago
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I cannot understand how it seems that everyone on all sides says “let’s enforce the laws currently on the books”, and then we don’t. I don’t get it.
Major thanks for having an answer better then “you ain’t takin’ my guns”.
I agree with almost all your points. Here’s hoping some action will follow these words.
I agree, you can’t stop gun carnage regardless, just as you’ll never stop drunk driving. But, just as with drunk driving, IF our society wants to, we can certainly reduce the amount. Do we have the desire? That remains to be seen.
frodo1008 over 10 years ago
Strangely enough, a very reasonable post, thanks, and congratulations! I would more than be happy if the NRA were really to be put in charge of licensing people to legitimately own guns. They certainly could teach a standard gun safety course as a prerequisite for obtaining such a license. Teaching a gun safety class such as that, which would also stop at least some of these tragic children getting a hold of guns and killing others (even in their own families).
Heck, I have even stated it before, I would also be happy to see the types of testosterone augmented people be able to go to special firing ranges, where they could blast away with fully automated machine guns to their heats content (as long as they pay for the ammo and such)!!
Nobody, no not even the hated president Obama, is trying to take legitimate and fully legal firearms away from honest American citizens. We all know it would be suicidal (literally as well as politically) to even try. But, some weaponry is just to lethal to the general citizenry to have in the hands of anybody but militarily or police trained people outside of such special firing ranges.
As to the problem of the insane, or even just mentally unstable getting a hold of firearms, I wish there was a truly simple answer. But this problem is a vastly complex issue. Just who says that an individual is in that category anyway. The government? The firearms industry? You? Me? Or anybody for that matter? Trained (and fully funded) psychiatrists? I would hope that you actually have any good suggestions, then I am certainly all ears, but it is a confusing issue at the best, and one that literally thousands of years of human civilization has yet to answer!!
Uncle Joe Premium Member over 10 years ago
And like all anti-gun folks they ignore the facts, and ignore the underlying mental illness throughout so many shootings. And do NOTHING about it.The media sensationalizes the mass murderers, but most murders are done by (relatively) sane people in domestic disputes and gang related shootings.One of the favorite arguments is to be that if more people carry guns, everyone will think twice before using their own. That idea doesn’t seem to be working with the gangs in inner cities. They are still eager to shoot at their rivals. I doubt that anyone thinks giving them more guns would help the situation.
Uncle Joe Premium Member over 10 years ago
Enforce the laws on the books. Stop desensitizing young people to violence and killing. Educate children about guns so there is no curiosity factor.You make some great points. I would add that local gun laws are basically at the level of the lowest common denominator in any region. Passing strict laws regulating gun purchases, doesn’t have much effect when the towns/states next door do not do the same. Educating kids to be responsible & respectful with guns is fine, but no substitute for gun safety. Many of the accidental shootings involving kids happen in homes where the kids were taught about responsible gun use. Having unlocked guns in the home is a recipe for tragedy.
Uncle Joe Premium Member over 10 years ago
Gun violence costs America billions of dollars annually in health care!In the interest of accuracy, the $37 billion cited is the cost of health care PLUS the loss of the economic productivity of people shot by guns. Actual medical costs are ~ $1 billion a year. Your point stands: gun violence has a major economic impact.
frodo1008 over 10 years ago
I am probably every bit as conservative as the most conservative on this comment board when it comes to sternly teaching gun safety to children. My grand father (probably the finest man I ever knew in a long life of knowing men) was a policeman. He used to take his .38 caliber police revolver off and place it on his chest of drawers in his and my grand mother’s room. I was allowed the great privileged of seeing him do this, but I would never even think of going into his room without his presence with me, let alone touching anything that was his. In that era (1940’s to 1960’s) a child just did not touch a respected family adults items without direct permission from that adult, it just was NOT done!!
When he felt it was time, he took me out and made a very convincing demonstration of the power of such weaponry by placing a two by four up against an embankment and shooting it at close range with his revolver. Not only was a hole put clean though the board, but an entire piece of the wood was also dislodged from it. He then stated that if his revolver would do that to a solid piece of wood, just what did I think it would do to a human being such as myself? He then proceeded to show me just exactly how the gun was not only placed in safe mode, but also how to make sure that it was indeed safely unloaded. I have always been fantastically grateful for those simple, but very affective lessons.
I see absolutely no reason why active duty policemen or retirees from the police departments of this great country could not only demonstrate the power of such weaponry, but even also teach total gun safety to even relatively young children, in a safe school environment. If that is an NRA or a very conservative attitude, then so be it. There have been far too many instances of children killing or,maiming others, even family members with guns in the news today, and it MUST STOP!!!!
frodo1008 over 10 years ago
So your “facts” mean that it is now acceptable for such deaths to occur? And who says that such deaths are even always reported? Especially, in such gang related areas as some of our fellow citizens are forced to live in? Because such deaths are less in numbers than drownings, that makes such deaths acceptable? And personally, children’s deaths by any preventable means is a great tragedy, whether by drowning in swimming pools or by hand gun is irrelevant, especially to those who love them!!
Heck, for that matter the actual numbers of our service men and women being killed in recent relatively useless wars is also very small when compared to the actual numbers of people serving in the military itself. I am also just as certain that is a great comfort to those whose relatives of those that have been killed also , would it not be?
The insensitivity of some on these boards to make a point, to the suffering of others of our fellow Americans, is just plain incredible to me!!
frodo1008 over 10 years ago
Exactly what “rights” are you as a legitimate gun owner having infringed upon by any governmental agency? I live in one of the toughest states in the union for legal gun ownership (yes, the ultra conservative hated California, and I love it!). If I wish to purchase a lethal hand gun, I can go to a legitimate gun shop almost anywhere, and purchase one. I certainly would want my hand gun to be registered as such purchases are expensive, and with it registered, if it is even stolen from me (and I am one that would check on such a weapon almost daily, so I would know if it were taken) I would not only not be charged with any crime using said weapon, but would even have at least a chance of eventually getting my expensive weapon back to me. As I have absolutely no thought of ever using such a weapon in any kind of illegal activity, I do not fear the authorities ever even taking notice that I have such a weapon unless it were stolen from me. So exactly how am I then constrained in my legal ownership of such a weapon?
<p. In fact, I would even seek out the help of the local police in buying a home defense weapon that would not penetrate my apartment walls and possibly kill or injure my neighbors. The kind of gun paranoia that I sometimes see exhibited on this comment board by even supposedly legitimate gun owners, reminds me of the words of one of our greatest presidents: “The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself!”
Dtroutma over 10 years ago
TSA security proved effective, huh? and there WERE armed police, supposed to be within two minutes away at all times, but apparently they were a few seconds late at LAX. Even at that, while the actual shooting didn’t last long, it was enough.
I agree with Mossad: IF you let them (terrorists or armed folks) get INTO THE TERMINAL, your “security” is worthless.
I AM a gun owner, concealed permit holder, competent marksman, and support the Second Amendment (in it’s entirety, including “well regulated”), but I cannot support the irrational approach of the NRA regarding concealable high capacity weapons (pistols or short barreled “rifles” like MAC and UZI), nor hgh capacity center-fire caliber weapons.
Dtroutma over 10 years ago
^My nephew has two “Legal” automatic weapons, the problem is the ease with which the “bangers” etc, can obtain them illegally. It’s a similar situation with “prescription” drugs that are manufactured FAR IN EXCESS of “legitimately prescribed” amounts, and then end up in the “black market”. Sorry, but the responsibility for the availability of both rests with the manufacturers. The NRA supports the manufacture and sale of massive numbers of these weapons, just as “trade organizations” don’t want DEA controlling the flow of dangerous “prescription” drugs on our streets, which, happens to tie into that flow of guns as well.