Gun Haters’ Forum

I hate guns!

I think it is in the best interest of the world if we ban guns and legalize pot.

Imagine how peaceful eveything would be!

drugs and guns - now you're talking!!!!!

i think it was me who got the american all riled up in
the Pantera shooting thread in main discussions
and after a load of posts this is what i finally have to
say there and here.....

In reply to all the Americans who got quite rabidly
upset by my post: To be honest, this was a needless
act of provocation on my part. I knew it would get
certain people exercised and that people's views on
this are entrenched and reactionary - on both sides.
It was a easy mark and I took it, and one I should
probably have left alone.
However, I firmly believe that the possession of
firearms, hunting knives, crossbows, etc should be
firmly regulated. Heavy regulation of possession
does not curtail people’s right to hunt (though i also
believe that in most cases that pursuit is wrong, as I
believe all blood sports - of which Ireland is an
unfortunate champion - are cruel and wrong).
If you want to hunt and your country endorses it, then
do so, intense regulation of access to firearms will
not prevent you indulging in your pastime if you are a
legitimate user of firearms for sporting means.
It is the way it is in the bulk of Europe and sport
shooting is in a healthy state judging by Olympic
performance.
I do believe that the NRA in the US is a reactionary
organisation that seeks to preserve a status quo no
longer relevant in more enlightened times. Its
relentlessly negative attitude to progressive,
meaningful gun control reinforces and exacerbates
the problem US society has with guns. In short I
believe its ultra-conservative stance encourages a
'over my dead body' attitude in which the possibility of
armed resistance is positively relished.
I agree, broadly, that people not guns kill people, but
if you give people guns then the propensity for killing
is vastly increased. it is basic common sense.
While I did seek to provoke a response, my opinions
on gun control are not an attack on 'the american
way'. I like america and americans. I fundamentally
disagree with certain aspects of policy and outlook
with regard to foreign policy and US domestic
lawmaking (The Patriot Act) and am dismayed by the
increasingly inward-looking attitude of 'fortress'
america.
For a country founded on the principles of 'give me
your poor, your huddled masses' etc, it is a sorry
pass for such an initially radically liberal country to
come to.
James made some points about freedom from the
yoke of oppressive regimes and the dangers of
imperialism.
There is a lesson of history there that appears lost to
the current holders of the superpower title.
It is a tale oft told throughout history and those who
do not learn the lessons of hoistory are doomed to
repeat them.
The fall of countless empires throughout the ages
has been predicated on expansion, complacency
(inspired by riches and the monopolisation of power)
and the eventual isolationism brought about by the
threat and increasing dissafection of those whose
futures are being determined by the vested interests
of empire. it is a boom and bust cycle that a wise
potentate would not ignore.

Also James’ points about Ireland's bloody struggle
for freedom in the War of Independence and the
resultant Civil War are well made but choose to
avoid a salient point. Once freedom was won and
the power struggles of the various local factions
were partially resolved, the right-thinking people of
this island chose to abandon their weapons and
attempt to return to a arms-free existence.
We have an unarmed police force and owing to our
recent (within the last 10 years) experience with
internal strife we have a very prohibitive stance on
the possession of firearms. It works. We have,
outside of a smattering of gangland related
shootings, a gun-free culture. There are few firearms
related crimes here.
We are far form perfect, indeed there are many
aspects of life that frustrate me as greatly as
anything i get riled about in other countries - and that
includes afghanistan, france, britain, japan, angola
anywhere where injustices or exclusions are
perpetrated. But the statistics on gun control, still do
not lie.
America is a wonderful idea, but like all ideals it is
imperfectly formed.
Just because we Europeans (and many others)
question the imperfections does not mean that we
are hostile to the ideal. Indeed, true democracy is

oops sorry hang on

arcer wrote: is about discourse is it not? that's something of a let down isn't it after the previous thousand or so words ah well they're only american they won't get past the first line of the first part of the post before they start frothing at the mouth

Nicely balanced argument BTW. I only do stream-of-consciousness vitriol as you can see!

Edited by Reed Lover

If you can't get passionate about a bunch of berks defending their right to own a piece of machinery whose sole design objective is to kill other beings, what on earth can you get passionate about?

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Kyoto Treaty?

I guess the fact that drugs kill more people in this country than guns means nothing to you at all.

I hate guns.  I don't want to be anywhere near one, I prefer never having to see one... and I could care less if they were banned.  However, banning guns does not get rid of them, just like banning drugs hasn't seemed to decrease their availability here either.

I think all of you have good intentions, but a non-realistic look at the situation.

Reed Lover wrote: threefates wrote: I guess the fact that drugs kill more people in this country than guns means nothing to you at all. Yes it does, but it is a seperate issue. No its not... However, banning guns does not get rid of them, just like banning drugs hasn't seemed to decrease their availability here either. What a silly thing to say.People still drink and drive,rob,assault,murder people even though there is legislation against these things,so should we decriminalise them? Actually I think what you said is quite silly. Drinking alcohol is legal here... as it evidently is in your country.  So having legislation against driving while drunk means nothing, if you can continue to drink. I think all of you have good intentions, but a non-realistic look at the situation. So basically we do nothing and that is OK? That is your realistic answer to the situation.How can banning guns not be a good thing? Explain. Thats evidently your look at is.  Mine would be to come up with solutions surrounding the people holding the guns... not the guns themselves.  Someone who has the mentality to kill someone could care less about the vehicle used.

^

and I'm not saying you are thick, although sometimes evidence points otherwise, just that's what about 3 billion people all think.