Gun Control thread (merged many)

[NeonSamurai]

Originally Posted by Betonov

Intersting link.

Now really, how come Canada has such a lower gun violence rate than the US, despite allowing Canadians to bear arms ??

As mentioned, there are some pretty big cultural differences. We don't have quite the same gun culture that the states does. There are also cultural differences in how we interact with others, we tend to be more conciliatory, and are less prone to standing our ground (unless there is good reason to). Fights are less common too I think.

Other differences are much lower poverty rates and levels, and far fewer numbers of weapons are available, and most firearms that are available are not well suited for criminal acts.

Canada has had it's share of school shootings as well, but they have generally had much lower casualty numbers, due to the shooters being limited to 5 round weapons.

Canadian criminals also do not have very good access to firearms. Typically only organized crime members have access to serious firearms (full size clips, pistols, smg's. assault rifles, etc.) and those weapons are not very common and expensive to acquire since they have to be smuggled in from the States.

Also our national gun laws prevent what is a serious problem in the US, and the major source of most firearms used by criminals. Since gun laws are state imposed, there is wild fluctuation in the laws and standards. Most criminal arms dealers in the US, buy their weapons from states that have very lax gun laws and no registration or background check (particularly at gun fairs). They then smuggle these weapons into other states with tighter gun laws (like New York), or other countries (Canada and Mexico primarily).

Originally Posted by Tribesman

I think its mainly hot air.
I think both sides supporters recycle the same meaningless catch phrases(parrot fodder), use the same cut and pastes of dubious "proof" without actually reading it, checking the sources or even thinking.
I think too many people start with an emotional arguement and then progressively(or regressively) get more emotional on the topic.
I think that the first stage must be getting fundamental to establish the basic truths then developing the details on from that level.
I think that far too often people accept the basics, but then reject the basics when their emotions get the better of them once it comes to the details.

That is what I think of the gun control issue.

Well said


As for the "news" article Ducimus posted. To be honest, that guy likely receives a ton of ridicule in Canada, as he sounds like he is trying to be the Canadian version of Glen Beck. I couldn't even finish the clip it was so bad.