Gun bans and abortion bans - a remarkable Puritanical similarity

[billh58]

99. Yet another NRA false equivalence

Last edited Wed Jan 9, 2013, 11:51 PM - Edit history (3)

talking point. The need for abortion, and the need for guns have absolutely nothing in common.

If you are maintaining (as right-wing misogynists do) that women get abortions on a whim, or that abortions are just like plastic surgery, then you are definitely on the wrong political message board. FR is down the hall, and to your extreme right. Abortions are performed because there is a medical or psychological need, and is a difficult medical, and personal decision.

Owning guns, on the other hand, is definitely a "lifestyle choice," and guns have absolutely no other purpose than the one they are designed and manufactured for -- to kill living things. No one ever bought a gun to save the life of the mother, or because a 14 year old child was raped by an uncle and became pregnant. People buy guns because they can. Most responsible gun owners buy guns for specific reasons, and take full responsibility for them. The 2nd Amendment does not include the right to own as many guns as a person wants (not needs, but wants), to own any type of gun which is available, or the right to carry a gun anywhere or anytime one wishes (especially in the public arena).

The other part of this NRA bullshit talking point is that an "intrusive government" is coming to take away your guns. That's the Wayne LePew and Alex Jones rallying cry for the wannabe soldiers dressed up in phony camo, running around in the woods who would piss their pants if placed in real combat.

The reality is that the legitimate government representing the majority of the sane people in the USA is going to require the registration of most guns, and restrict the manufacture, sale, and importation of the most obscene of the "assault like" weapons. The legitimate government representing the majority of the sane people in the USA will do this because it is the correct thing to do. There are too many guns in the hands of too many people which are unaccountable to anyone. That will stop with the requirement to track registered guns and require background checks when they are sold, or their ownership is transferred.

And lastly, you are correct prohibition has a horrible track record. Conversely, regulation and sensible laws do work when applied to changing unhealthy social behavior. We have managed to greatly reduce the number of drunken driving deaths, cigarette use is on the decline, and the average life span is increasing due to food and drug regulation. Guns are a hazard to our collective health, and we will regulate them.