Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Let's Talk About Our Feelings!!! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Father Terrence who wrote (41597)	6/23/1999 11:15:00 AM
From: Ilaine	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 108807

I say, let's compromise. Let's take away the rights of liberals to bear arms.

To: Father Terrence who wrote (41597)	6/26/1999 2:02:00 PM
From: Grainne	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 108807

It is not clear whether the statistics about places where crime has dropped sharply AND citizens can carry concealed weapons really mean very much. The FBI is currently doing research on the issue, trying to see whether the studies by pro-handgun groups are actually accurate. Another point on this issue is that while crime might drop sharply, it also is dropping sharply in America for two other reasons--a hugely larger percentage of our population is already incarcerated, therefore not committing crimes, and the percentage of young men in the population has dropped. Secondly, you would need to see whether in places where you can carry concealed weapons, the rate of other gun violence--impulsive shootings in anger, suicides, gun accidents, have gone up. The statistics from the other countries with more restrictive gun laws clearly indicate that the mere possession of handguns increases all these dramatically. I also don't buy this crap about guns in the hands of individuals keeping governments in check. First of all, the might of our armed forces would overcome the citizens, and also other western democracies where there are strict handgun laws are all still democratic. There is not even one instance of their governments suddenly doing anything at all to destroy their freedoms. I would agree that in the countryside, simple rifles and shotguns that are adequate for hunting and self-defense should probably be legal. That doesn't include assault weapons or armor-piercing bullets, however.