Simple visual that clarifies why the Assault Weapons Ban renewal

[Tommy_Carcetti]

185. And a few answers....

A) Recitation of common NRA talking points, use of the term "controller" as a pejorative.

B) The NRA's agenda is self-serving and generally counter to the interests of public safety and democracy. Here in Florida we have a rather nefarious woman named Marion Hammer. She's the chief lobbyist for the NRA here and has written nearly word for word multiple laws enacted by the legislature which serve only to punish and intimidate anyone who dares cross the agenda of the gun lobby.

C) I used that phrase for a satirical purpose. Of course only a criminal uses a gun to commit a crime. The problem is, the gun lobby would have you believe that gun violence only occurs at the hands of repeat criminals with illegally obtained firearms. The reality is quite the contrary. Page, Holmes, Lochner, Cho and many others were not "criminals" until the first time they pulled the trigger in the commission of their infamous acts. They obtained their weapons legally and very easily, despite the clear existence of warning signs that they were not fit individuals to be carrying such weapons. If you are going to ask whether I support a blanket ban on all firearms, I will tell you I do not. However, the laws surrounding purchase and licensing of guns are often way too lax, and the NRA's interests are seemingly to ensure that those laws are not tightened or subject to better enforcement.

And extra credit: To answer your question, I do believe a person has such a right, but with a caveat. If that person overreacts or uses poor judgment in such a situation, they--as the carrier of a deadly weapon--are legally responsible. Self-defense only goes so far. That is the situation that I believe to be at play with Mr. Zimmerman.