General Discussion

pipi_k

(21,020 posts)

15. I think the OP

Sun Mar 3, 2013, 12:55 PM

Mar 2013

makes a valid point, actually.

When has outlawing anything led to that thing being eradicated?

It didn't work for drugs.

It didn't work for alcohol.

It didn't work for abortion.

Why on earth would anyone think it would work for guns?

It's not the law abiding, peaceful citizens who are doing drive-by shootings, or mass killings. Outlaw guns, and it still won't be the law abiding citizens doing them. It will be the criminals.

I suppose a point could be made that outlawing guns would at least cut down on the numbers of shootings. But would that mean there's an acceptable number of gun deaths people would be willing to ignore?

What then? "Well...we tried".

Not to mention that a whole other set of problems associated with illegal gun sales (like drug dealers) comes to the fore.

What's the answer? I honestly don't know. I do believe, however, that people who think outlawing guns will fix the problem are being a bit...naive.

There are always unintended consequences when people try to outlaw something.

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Highlight:

Ken Braun: Banning guns will work as well as the war on drugs [View all] Bay Boy Mar 2013 OP

Cause that is exactly what they are doing nadinbrzezinski Mar 2013 #1

Many here would LOVE to ban them. You seem to have forgot the hysteria around here. n-t Logical Mar 2013 #5

It's harder to smuggle an assault rifle in your rectum. sadbear Mar 2013 #2

Parts is parts. Eleanors38 Mar 2013 #4

The only part of that analogy that holds up is addiction. bluedigger Mar 2013 #3

Only ones I see addicted to guns and killing are people in govt The Straight Story Mar 2013 #7

This would be interesting if anyone wanted to ban guns. Squinch Mar 2013 #6

Some clearly do, even here... ProgressiveProfessor Mar 2013 #11

Yes. Of course. Everyone is being mean to you. Squinch Mar 2013 #12

You refuse to face the facts that some are advocating total civilian disarmament ProgressiveProfessor Mar 2013 #13

Ah, I see: refuting the "professors"* pro-NRA nonsense is now "bullying." apocalypsehow Mar 2013 #24

You're either (a) new around here, (b) naive, or (c) dishonest. Bake Mar 2013 #18

Have fun with that. Squinch Mar 2013 #19

Oh, you're a gunner too BainsBane Mar 2013 #22

I own a couple of guns. Bake Mar 2013 #52

This makes you a gunner BainsBane Mar 2013 #53

The post you linked to doesn't make me a gunner Bake Mar 2013 #54

You did, but I'm happy to leave it in the past BainsBane Mar 2013 #55

This person does... Bay Boy Mar 2013 #23

So by all means, say that everyone does, or that those who do are shaping policy in any way. Squinch Mar 2013 #36

You said: Bay Boy Mar 2013 #37

How insidious, quoting their exact words back to them. Kurska Mar 2013 #44

Oh noes, call the waaahahhhhmmmmmmullannnccceee!!! Zoeisright Mar 2013 #38

I'm sorry, what was your point? Bay Boy Mar 2013 #50

Great. 99Forever Mar 2013 #8

I think the OP pipi_k Mar 2013 #15

Yep, unconditional surrender is the only option! 99Forever Mar 2013 #16

Unfortunately for progressives, the GOP is in a favorable position... Eleanors38 Mar 2013 #9

Would it be safe to blame Ron Paul for this? derby378 Mar 2013 #10

Ron Paul did everything but throw money at the GOPer estab. Eleanors38 Mar 2013 #14

Because countries with strict firearms regulation have USA-levels of gun violence, obviously Spider Jerusalem Mar 2013 #17

Ah, but we see a *lot* of sawed-off shotguns Recursion Mar 2013 #20

Sure, because anyone with a vise and a hacksaw can saw off a shotgun Spider Jerusalem Mar 2013 #21

"Ken Braun was a legislative aide for a Republican lawmaker in the Michigan House for six years" apocalypsehow Mar 2013 #25

I was just going to ask: "who's this chump Ken Braun"? Kolesar Mar 2013 #28

Sure, because fully automatic weapons are used in crimes all the time. jeff47 Mar 2013 #26

He says all the right buzz words upaloopa Mar 2013 #27

Because guns are the same thing as drugs ellisonz Mar 2013 #29

The point is, the fewer assault weapons out there, the better. Zen Democrat Mar 2013 #30

I'm one of those Politicalboi Mar 2013 #31

Have you ever considered that the gangs who smuggle your pot into our nation ... spin Mar 2013 #58

No legislator has proposed banning all guns. Comrade_McKenzie Mar 2013 #32

But plenty of posters here would Bay Boy Mar 2013 #33

So? ellisonz Mar 2013 #42

the fact some here might want to get rid of guns BainsBane Mar 2013 #59

Prohibition is a failed public polcy... no matter what you try to prohibit. TeamPooka Mar 2013 #34

Actually gun bans will be less effective than drug bans guardian Mar 2013 #35

How many are willing to become illegal gun owners? jmg257 Mar 2013 #39

How many are willing to become illegal drug users? guardian Mar 2013 #41

About 22 million. jmg257 Mar 2013 #45

Doesn't have to be addictive, just socially acceptable at the local level. dairydog91 Mar 2013 #46

Thank you. "Socially acceptable" explained much better then I have the patience to do. jmg257 Mar 2013 #48

Why? dairydog91 Mar 2013 #49

there are no proposed gun bans BainsBane Mar 2013 #60

How about a "Grass for Guns" buy back program? n/t Pryderi Mar 2013 #40

But prohibition will work this time we promise! Kurska Mar 2013 #43

prohibition Crepuscular Mar 2013 #47

Pretty much my whole Bay Boy Mar 2013 #57

Want to make a real dent in gun violence? madville Mar 2013 #51

who is ken braun and why should i give a flip what he thinks? spanone Mar 2013 #56

So I take it the gun crowd is all in favor of ending the "war on drugs"? Marr Mar 2013 #61