Five years after Tech, still waiting for gun reform.

[bigrun]

BLACKSBURG, Va. --
Can the death of one unarmed teenager in Florida help achieve what the killings of 32 people at Virginia Tech did not?
Colin Goddard, a survivor of four gunshots during the Virginia Tech massacre, apparently believes so. He is in Washington with 31 other victims of gun violence to challenge Congress to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people.

On the fifth anniversary of the Virginia Tech slayings, this group's suffering and resolve should represent a powerful — and effective — symbolism.

Unfortunately, the National Rifle Association's dominion has hardened the hearts and weakened the knees of lawmakers. Its influence has long surpassed that of citizens, activists and even law enforcement officials

But faster than you can say "We are Virginia Tech," America and the gun lobby returned to business as usual. Gun rights supporters rallied at the state Capitol Bell Tower, many packing arms, in what has become an annual January ritual. An unsympathetic segment of the public told Tech victims to move on.

By 2010, Virginia passed a law to allow patrons with permits to carry concealed guns into alcohol-serving restaurants. This year, Virginia repealed its 20-year-old law limiting the purchase of handguns to one per month — a restriction that had been enacted to slow the trafficking of Virginia guns to New York crime scenes.

Meanwhile — beginning with Florida's NRA-drafted law in 2005 — states gave concealed-permit holders greater license to use their weapons outside their homes when they felt threatened. Twenty-five states passed such laws, called "shoot first" or "stand your ground," depending on your perspective.

Unfortunately, emotional appeals and grass-roots protests don't carry the weight of NRA money and influence. Until there's a change in this political culture, there will be more heartbreak.

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/c...ec-ar-1847196/

[Riot]

The American Dream for some is that every citizen is armed and packing all the time. Think of the crime that would eliminate!

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by Riot

The American Dream for some is that every citizen is armed and packing all the time. Think of the crime that would eliminate!

Well, not every citizen....won't be me. I "packed" every day in Nam and being a "bad ass" with a gun just lost it's appeal.

[joeydb]

Originally Posted by Riot

The American Dream for some is that every citizen is armed and packing all the time. Think of the crime that would eliminate!

It actually would eliminate a lot of crime. There are well over 200 million legally owned firearms in the U.S. What fraction of the legal ones are used in any crime over any measurable length of time? A very miniscule fraction - like 0.000001 % or something.

Make it personal - if you were so inclined - would you attack a person (or group) if you thought they were armed? How about a bank holdup for example? It's a lot easier when you figure nobody except possibly the uniformed guard is armed, so you bring 3 guys with you, one is a lookout, one or two take down or incapacitate the guard, and one gets the money from the teller.

Now try that when half a dozen or more customers in the bank have a gun, as do people working the platform (loans, account open/close, etc), tellers. It would be SUICIDE to try a bank robbery. What are they going to do, bring 12 guys to get the same small amount of money?

[bigrun]

Originally Posted by joeydb

Now try that when half a dozen or more customers in the bank have a gun, as do people working the platform (loans, account open/close, etc), tellers. It would be SUICIDE to try a bank robbery. What are they going to do, bring 12 guys to get the same small amount of money?

Ok, say all the bank employees and customers are packing and three men announce a stickup...are all those non-robbers packing for their own personal safety or to prevent a bank heist and shoot it out with the bad guys...jus sayin...

[joeydb]

Originally Posted by bigrun

Ok, say all the bank employees and customers are packing and three men announce a stickup...are all those non-robbers packing for their own personal safety or to prevent a bank heist and shoot it out with the bad guys...jus sayin...

Academic at that point - the minute the three guys announce "This is a stickup" they will be turned into Swiss cheese.

That has a deterrent effect later (besides the "no second offender" bonus).

[bigrun]

Originally Posted by joeydb

Academic at that point - the minute the three guys announce "This is a stickup" they will be turned into Swiss cheese.

That has a deterrent effect later (besides the "no second offender" bonus).

You really think that a dozen packing citizens with guns aimed in their direction are going to draw and fire at will and maybe nail a few citizens on the way....sounds like a Clint Eastwood movie....

[Riot]

Originally Posted by joeydb

Academic at that point - the minute the three guys announce "This is a stickup" they will be turned into Swiss cheese.

Yeah, about that .... how about that civilian guy with a gun who stepped in to help at the Congresswoman Giffords massacre, huh?

And George Zimmerman being armed worked out well. The old guy on the news here in Kentucky last night, who approached some guys stealing things out of his truck, by grabbing his rifle. Yes, I wish every angry loon suffering road rage was armed with more than 2000 pounds of cheap metal. And bars! We need more states that allow guns in saloons :-)