Its tough being a gun owning liberal who doesn't support major gun legislation reform

[UMTerp01]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by mcar (a host of the General Discussion forum).

I support expanded background checks and limits on assault rifles but thats about it. I own a handgun and a rifle. I do not believe in further restrictions on gun ownership because all you are doing is taking guns away from people who want them for recreational purposes or to protect themselves. We are already a nation too saturated with folks that have their guns illegally that we have passed the point of no return for any stricter form of gun restriction. I also support open carry. Many of us are responsible gun owners.

Yes I understand that if people didn't have access to guns that the suicide rate by that method wouldn't be as high but if you are suicidal you are going to find other means. I also understand about accidental shootings but that is the responsibility of the owner and the appropriate consequences should be given should the gun be accessible to a child that ends up accidentally shooting themselves or someone else. There was a story of a mother who was shot in WalMart I think from her young child who shot her to death. Tragic but avoidable and actually quite stupid. You have a young child. Why do you have your gun with you in WalMart? Keep it in the car. Some of these things are common sense issues, although I have always said that common sense isn't so common.

[yeoman6987]

1. If that's your beliefs I wouldn't worry about others

I am sure some have issues that not everyone agrees with. Just vote for Hillary!

[Hoyt]

2. Two guns is not so bad as to be ridiculed, especially if you don't carry in public, can stand

restrictions on so-called assault weapons, and think George Zimmerman is a dirtbag, not a responsible gun owner as so many gun fanciers do. Oh, and don't go around promoting more guns in more places, and other NRA right wing BS.

Unfortunately, way too many gunners are white wing, 2ND Amendment loving, haters.

[upaloopa]

3. You have one vote same as me

It is up to the voters not you or me only

[sarisataka]

4. When speaking of Gun Control

'You're either with us or you're against us' (to quote someone I saw on TV). If you fail to support each and every gun control proposal you will be labeled as supporting 'gunz-everywhere-all-the-time-no-restrictions'. Oh and your dick is small.

Still I wouldn't worry too much. Actions are not matching words. Despite the dire threats I keep voting Dem and no one has come for my guns.

[63splitwindow]

5. Too many murdered innocents and their families to be concerned about what's tough on you.

[UMTerp01]

7. Its not that I'm not concerned but there's so many illegal gun owners that is the issue for me

Of course the numbers of innocent murdered concerns me but when you look into the murder rates in the cities with the worst, how many of those murders committed by guns do you think come from LEGAL gun owners? I'm being realistic.

Of course I'm voting Democrat. The gun ownership issue for me is not a major concern. Way many other things. Its just that its a conversation that whenever I get into with someone causes strife. I support the expanded background checks and limit on assault weapons but not further restrictions. And while I don't open carry it doesn't really bother me to see someone who does. Remember I grew up in a family where guns were the norm. Never had an issue.

[guillaumeb]

6. From your post:

There was a story of a mother who was shot in WalMart I think from her young child who shot her to death. Tragic but avoidable and actually quite stupid. You have a young child. Why do you have your gun with you in WalMart? Keep it in the car. Some of these things are common sense issues, although I have always said that common sense isn't so common.

If you have a weapon for protection, does that assumed need extend to everywhere that you are? Perhaps the Second Amendment activist, the WalMart mom, felt the need for protection in Walmart. What is a gun carrying, fearful American to do? leave the gun in the car and risk being killed in the lot or in the store?

So the 30,000 gun deaths every year are simply a consequence, the unintended by product of a few million Americans feeling some need for a gun?

[UMTerp01]

8. Good point nt

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

12. Toddlers finding loaded guns and killing

someone with it is a far too common occurrence in this country. Happens on a weekly basis. But apparently that's just part of everyone being able to own a gun. Too bad about the kiddies, but oh, well.

[guillaumeb]

13. Welcome to DU, and yes, apparently the deaths of toddlers is a price to pay for freedom.

And the illusion of safety.

[EX500rider]

18. How many toddlers drown in pools every year Vs toddlers shooting someone?

Every day, about ten people die from unintentional drowning. Of these, two are children aged 14 or younger. Drowning ranks fifth among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States. There were an average of 3,536 fatal unintentional drownings (non-boating related) annually in the United States.

But apparently that's just part of everyone being able to own a pool....too bad about the kiddies, but oh, well....

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

21. Somehow, it strikes me as though

drowning deaths and gunshot deaths are fundamentally different.

I am reasonably aware of the drowning issue, especially with young children, because when my children were young I lived in Arizona, and back then drowning was the leading cause of death for children under the age of four. I know the city of Phoenix has laws requiring that pools be fenced separately, with a self-latching gate, to minimize young children simply stepping outside and straight into the pool.

I know that any time I watch one of those house hunting/house renovation shows and they have young kids and they're eager to have a pool, I always think, No.

Plus, a discussion about drowning deaths shouldn't be thrown into a discussion about gun deaths. Nor deaths from any other means.

[Eleanors38]

28. As long as controllers single out gun deaths from other deaths as "fundamentally different"

...then other deaths by accident will most certainly be considered. Drowning, electrocution, falls, suffocation, etc., which cause MORE deaths will be discussed.

[Eleanors38]

24. Toddler death rate by guns continues to drop due to gun-owners taking responsibility.

Depending on how ones politics diddles with the data, the number of childhood (-15 yoa) deaths via guns has dropped to 64 or 95. A year. This even as the number of guns in circulation has increased some 100,000,000 over the last 20 years. Something is working to lessen these deaths, and it may be the circulation of trigger/breach locks, lock boxes and safes, and or better instruction in gun safety provided to children.

[Hoyt]

26. Toddlers shooting themselves in the head can only do it with ONE of their sick dad's 20 guns.

I'm sorry, you excuses/apologies are pretty lame.

And lets not forget murders, woundings, intimidation, etc., and gun fanciers like this:

[jmg257]

20. A third of the country = 90-100 million gun owners. Not sure if all 'feel some need for a gun'

that can't be overcome - but it is certainly more then just a few to be concerned about.

[Eleanors38]

25. Two-thirds of that "30,000" are suicides. It's deceptive to include them in a post re: Self Defense

"If you have a weapon for protection..."

From your post.

[kcr]

27. Only deceptive to people who think suicides are somehow less dead

or don't give a shit that they're dead. Otherwise, nope. Not deceptive.

[dubyadiprecession]

9. It's ok to be a liberal who likes guns...

Presidents like LBJ loved hunting.

[juxtaposed]

10. i've had guns since i was a little kid, and if they banded guns I'd not have a problem with it.

[napi21]

11. I hear you, and don't necessarily disagree, but there's soething I think you're

overlooking. Sometimes the majority have to suffer BECAUSE of the actions of a few.

Remember that ONE guy who tried to light his show on fire what seems like 50 years ago? All the rest of us now have to take off their shoes.

Because of a couple of ladies hiding explosives in their bra's we all have to go through a scanner.

History affects most legal decisions. They're all made in a effort to protect the public. Seat belts save lives even though they add to the cost of a car.

Most schools & Gov't buildings require you to pass through a magnetometer which is a PIA lots of times, but it's because of the bad acts of a hand full of people in the past.

I'm afraid that's what is going to happen with guns too. There are just too many intentional shootings and way too many people dying to ignore the problem anymore.

My hubby collects guns. Most are long guns. There are even a few muskets in his collection, and only 2 hand guns. BTW, there are NO AR 15's. They're all in a safe that is also hidden out of sight. We talk about this issue quite often. We don't see any solution that wouldn't require additional controls of some kind. Licensing, mandatory insurance, some kind of testing, something to stop the crazies from killing people.

[maxsolomon]

14. I'm sorry things are so hard for you.

I'll try to be more respectful of your "recreation" in the future when I advocate for active Militia duties as a pre-condition for the ownership of "Arms".

By the way, your side won. Maybe you didn't notice?

[GOLGO 13]

15. You are not alone my friend. There are many of us here with you.

Many gun owning Dems also love the 2nd amendment.

[SecularMotion]

16. I don't understand liberals who hold right wing views on the gun issue

[Rex]

17. Not at all, sounds like maybe it is just tough for you.

There are plenty of posters here that are just like you and they seem to have no problems posting here or having a discussion.

[Calculating]

19. Same here

Liberal in pretty much every issue other than guns. I just don't see the logic in gun control. Seems about as effective as drug prohibitions.(not very effective).

[jmg257]

22. There is plenty to be done to reduce gun-related deaths, both w/regards to safety & criminal use.

That would not require major legislation. And not overly affect responsible owners.

They only thing that will DRASTICALLY reduce gun-related deaths is to DRASTICALLY reduce the number of guns, and that WOULD take DRASTIC legislation and be a constitutional issue. 23 million background checks a year and climbing ain't peanuts.


Anyway - your experiences are not the same as everyone else's, so neither should your views be expected to be the same.
Should not be a tough thing to believe what you believe.

[jpak]

23. It's tough being a parent of a child killed by a gun nut too

whateveah