The Science of Gun Control

Local background checks are more effective at reducing suicides and homicides than federal checks.

« Return to Article

Discuss

Member Comments

  • Posted By: Mwalimu @ 06/16/2008 11:29:12 PM

    Far more Americans die from gun violence than die from terrorist attacks. Too many innocent teenagers, especially in inner cities are murdered each year. There's no excuse. The 2nd Amendment adds "in a reguluated militia." - something the current crazies on the Supreme Court can't seem to understand.

    I own a motor vehicle. In order to own a motor vehicle, I must register it. In order to drive, I must pass a drivers' test, both a written exam and a behind-the-wheel test. I must also comply with certain physical regulations. ( For example, since I am near-sighted, I must wear glasses when I drive.) If I wish to drive a truck or a commerical vehicle, I must pass additional tests and get additional licenses. If it is reasonable to regulate and license motor vehicles, why is it equally reasonable to place the same regulations on firearms?

    Al-Qaeda is not the greatest menace to Americans - it's the NRA - and the Republican politicians that NRA supports.

    ( I do expect a number of gun fanatics to have hizzy fits. Their inability to think straight bolsters my case for gun regulation.)

    • Posted By: Face180 @ 09/04/2008 11:40:37 PM

      More people di in cars than by gins So maybe there should be a three day waiting period before you strat the engine.More kids die in barkyard swimming pools than by guns maybe they should be banned to protect the childreen. If you are going to state 'facts' at least make thm relevent.

    • Posted By: thehappyamerican @ 06/17/2008 1:20:17 AM

      beat me ..and send me to the plantation!

  • Posted By: bacchusPlateau @ 08/26/2008 9:45:55 PM

    It is very revealing to me that none of the gun zealots posting here answer any of the author's very salient points regaring the lower proportion of homicides and suicides in areas with local gun checks. I say we need those local checks everywhere.

  • Posted By: MichaelX @ 07/03/2008 4:09:21 PM

    I know all about gun control. I hold the weapon firmly, and line up the site, point and shoot.
    there's the key issue: YOU pulled the trigger, the gun did not just "go off" on it's own.
    If criminals know that you could be armed, they might have second thoughts about accosting you.
    Should we be able to "carry"? No. But in my home, if you come through the window, I will not ask, or say a thing. My weapon will speak for me, and to hell with you. Any criminals reading this? Hope so, cause we can and will remove you from society without having to pay for your incarceration and "rehabilitation".
    Euthanize convicts, not horses!

  • Posted By: tc125231 @ 06/17/2008 1:28:51 AM

    This "Discrimination Campaign" drivel must be the new NRA cant. Nobody calls it discrimination when America regulates alcohol or harder drug consumption.

    But any limits on guns, and the crying faucets turn on. Boo-hoo! We poor gun owners are persecuted!

    • Posted By: thehappyamerican @ 06/17/2008 8:39:45 AM

      Nobody calls it BOO HOO when decent Americans oppose discrimination against minoritys or gays in the USA! Law makers know that!
      Do a drivel hunt and check out the NRAs site,and compare it to the sites which oppose rights, freedom,and have nothing good to say about any American but only praise politicians who've embraced the discrimination campaign.
      Because it's theirs! And they are not very sober minded people.

      • Posted By: amendment2man @ 06/19/2008 4:00:41 PM

        Brady center is on the run. their failed initiatives have brought NO RESULTS or any measurable effect as their focus is on (as the article states) the LAW ABIDING CITIZEN. we are not the problem but we get harrassment from them in the form of useless time and effort wasting legislation.

        you all have no idea that it is a constitutional issue that is deeply rooted in our history as a free nation. the FIRST thing that dictatorships or tyrants do is enact gun control which limits ownership to their military.

        it is the first step in total control of the population. a man without power or confidence can easily be bullied and controlled.

        the founding fathers saw the need for citizens to be the reserves and last ditch defense in case of foreign invasion. hate to tell you that these factors are still extremely relevant in our present era with the added benefit of defense against the non law abiding segment of the population(who have guns no matter what the law may say). look at japan and the uk : no private ownership in japan very limited with no access in the Uk. people are STILL shot but stabbed and beaten at a greater rate.

        the NRA takes it extreme stance because they actually let fredoms slip away on their earlier watch. they have to play catch up now but the new breed of 2nd amendment supporters is emerging. emminently more successful and educated than the previous generation. Many buy guns as investments as well as for self defense.

        Thanks to Pres. Bush for establishing a supreme court which supports our rights . even obama cannot change that now . I will support Mr. Bush and be grateful for his appointees no matter what is said about him.

        Hey Obama: the NRA is still alive and kicking and we are many members strong. there are also many other less high profile sportsmens and competition organizations which will not support you EVER. just keep that in mind mr. super liberal. not falling for your emotional appeal and your obvious pandering to our group. we are smarter than that and far from "bitter". oh God rules too. guns and religion, a large part of our national heritage wether you like it or not. You will have to deal with us but we will never deal with you or cast a vote your way.

        • Posted By: thehappyamerican @ 06/19/2008 8:58:08 PM

          Not only is the next generation of gun owner more successful and educated but a greater number are first-gun gun buyers! Largly due to gun control preasures (emerging restrictions in the offing, localy) and local crime and violence (and absent any ambition on the part of authoritys to make crime life tough for the criminal at large!).
          We don't need a repeat of those days when Clinton used arrangements to assure a certain level of violent crime was taking place to justify his gun control schemes! A stratagy which lost control of the Congress for his party and did seriouse damage to Al Gores' run.

  • Posted By: Dallas-Cowboys @ 06/18/2008 4:47:01 PM

    The people who wrote the constitution knew the right to bear arms by the common land owners was essential in protecting our freedom.If people read history books not political reviews.It clearly states property owners defined as legal citizens/land owner and regulated militia.The supreme court reviewed the second amendment very throughly and found no legal constitutional way to ban private ownership of firearms.
    I realize there is frightened people afraid of guns.The fact is more people is killed in car accidents and fires than pistols,rifles, and shotguns every year.Do we ban all cars because of someone dies in a car accident.It is stupidity in the worst form to make rash decisions based on human ignorance.

  • Posted By: thehappyamerican @ 06/17/2008 12:48:44 AM

    Boy...the discriminaton campaign against firearms owners now applies to the supreme court "crazies!"
    Gun control has been FUELED by a discrimination campaign for decades! THOSE PEOPLE are a threat...are nuts...crazys!
    Spray death, high powered, loophole, waiting period, semi-automatic, cop killer ...THOSE PEOPLE! THOSE PEOPLES rights are such a THREAT! They told me so on my TV!
    Now that THOES PEOPLE are such a threat it is REASONABLE, to you, to take thier rights away! Because you are so INTELEGENT! So...enlightened!
    Thats a discrimination campaign and you are The Bozo the people who crafted it intended to fool all along!
    Most Americans are positivly appauled by discrimiation campaigns directed against fellow Americans, when they understand that discrimination campaigninng is being used!
    Except for THOSE PEOPLE who drive cars, I supose! But then, i like them too, as my fellow Americans. I don't need to talk stupidly about them.
    Please drive safely! Don't take the discrimination campaign so to heart you justify running over gun owners! They're your nieghbors!




  • Posted By: GunShowOnTheNet @ 06/16/2008 3:48:42 PM

    "If the representatives of the people betray their constituents, there is then no resource left but in the exertion of that original right of self-defense which is paramount to all positive forms of government . . . The citizens must rush tumultuously to arms..."

    - Alexander Hamilton, Federalist #28.

    "The opinion of the Federalist has always been considered as of great authority. It is a complete commentary on our Constitution; and is appealed to by all parties in the questions to which that instrument has given birth. Its intrinsic merit entitles it to this high rank; and the part two of its authors performed in framing the constitution, put it very much in their power to explain the views with which it was framed..."

    - Chief Justice John Marshall, U.S. Supreme Court, Cohens v. Virginia (1821).

    "Also, the conditions and circumstances of the period require a finding that while the stated purpose of the right to arms was to secure a well-regulated militia, the right to self-defense was assumed by the Framers."

    - Chief Justice John Marshall, U.S. Supreme Court. [As quoted in Nunn v. State, 1 Ga. 243, 251 (1846); State v. Dawson, 272 N.C. 535, 159 S.E.2d 1, 9 (1968).]

  • Posted By: GunShowOnTheNet @ 06/16/2008 3:46:32 PM

    "Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birthright of an American. . . . [T]he unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but, where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the people."

    - Tenche Coxe, using the pseudonym "a Pennsylvanian", Feb. 20, 1788, Pennsylvania Gazette.

    "Whereas civil-rulers, not having their duty to the people duly before them, may attempt to tyrannize, and as military forces, which must be occasionally raised to defend our country, might pervert their power to the injury of their fellow citizens, the people are confirmed by the article in their right to keep and bear their private arms."

    - Tenche Coxe, 'Remarks on the First Part of the Amendments to the Federal Constitution' using the Pseudonym "A Pennsylvanian" in the Philadelphia Federal Gazette, June 18, 1789 at 2 col. 1.

    Mr. Coxe was a prominent Philadelphian and political economist who was named assistant secretary of the treasury in 1790, commissioner of revenue in 1792, and purveyor of public supplies in 1803. Whose series of newspaper articles were very much approved by both Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Madison.

  • Posted By: GunShowOnTheNet @ 06/16/2008 3:44:01 PM

    "From among the rights retained by our policy, we have selected those of self defence or bearing arms, of conscience, and of free inquiry, for two purposes; one, to shew the vast superiority of our policy, in being able to keep natural rights necessary for liberty and happiness, out of the hands of governments; the other, to shew that this ability is the effect of its principles, and beyond the reach of Mr. Adams???s system, or of any other, unable to reserve to the people, and to withhold from governments, a variety of rights."

    - John Taylor, Revolutionary Soldier and U.S. Senator, (1792 ??? 94, 1803, 1822 ??? 24). [An Inquiry into the Principles and Policy of the Government of the United States: Section the Sixth; THE GOOD MORAL PRINCIPLES OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES, (1814).]

  • Posted By: thehappyamerican @ 06/16/2008 2:18:45 PM

    The problem with gun control is that it attracts so much research, better spent on just stopping all violence in a population!
    Everything gets focused onto gun stats...but not beyond as this article makes so clear! Knive crime and suicide simply slips away! That is what happens when people who should know better fall int o the trap of the Discrimination Campaign against fire arms ownerswaged by gun control groups who are so discredited they need a fig leaf... such as this article.
    We can reduce crime and violence in this country and when we focus on The Criminal, the Criminal, The Criminal!

Reply

Report Abuse

Enter comments if any for reporting abuse