cross post from GD

[AndyS]

For the love of God . . .

Deadly unintentional shootings by children increased 43 percent in March and April (2020) compared to average gun deaths during the same two months over the last three years, . . . The "alarming uptick" coincided with the time span that gun sales were surging during coronavirus lockdowns.
=====
In one of the shootings, a seven-year-old boy unintentionally killed his three-year-old sister in their suburban Denver home as the two were playing "swords," the Associated Press reported. The little girl had been using a broomstick, and the boy picked up a .12 gauge shotgun his mother had left leaning next to the couch. The gun went off, fatally striking the girl in the chest.

. . . When police responded, the boy reportedly came to the top of the stairs with his hands up, saying, "I'm sorry, I was playing with the gun. I didn't know it was loaded."

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/unintentional-shootings-guns-kids-sales-coronavirus-lockdowns/


I can't believe that I have to ask this of “responsible law abiding gun owners” but for love of God will you please, PLEASE, PLEASE secure your guns.

[OLDMDDEM]

1. This

is why guns need to be banned.

[Dial H For Hero]

3. All of them? Um....good luck, you'll need it.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

5. This statement here?

Stupid beyond words.

[OLDMDDEM]

8. Maybe to you

But not to those of us who lost a loved one to gun fire. When I say all guns I am implying weapons of war.

[Dial H For Hero]

9. What exactly do you mean by "weapons of war"?

Do you want to ban all firearms that were used in wars? If so, you would ban this (Brown Bess flintlock, used in many wars):



But not this (AR-15, never used in war):



When proposing legislation, words matter. What exactly do you want to ban (and confiscate?) from American civilians?

[OLDMDDEM]

10. assault weapons

any weapon used by the military, exceot for military use.

This is getting crazy. I was only trying to make a point that, being someone who has lost a loved one thru gunfire, that these types of weapons should be banned.

[Dial H For Hero]

11. Single shot muzzleloaders were used by the military, so you want to ban those as well?

This is getting crazy. I was only trying to make a point that, being someone who has lost a loved one thru gunfire, that these types of weapons should be banned.

You didn't initially define what types of wepons should be banned. Your current proposal would ban many muzzleloaders. Heck, it would ban every bayonet ever made. That's a bit silly, wouldn't you agree?

[MarineCombatEngineer]

12. Ok,

so, tell me what modern military in the world uses a semi auto rifle as their main battle rifle?
I did 35 years in the Corps and for the life of me, I can't remember EVER seeing a semi auto as a main battle rifle.
Am I wrong?

[oneshooter]

14. The last semi autos issued to US Forces

Was the ,30M1 Garand (1934-1957) and the cal.30 M1Carbine (1942-1973)

[MarineCombatEngineer]

16. Yep, and that's why I said modern military,

in Vietnam, I carried the venerable M-14 during my first tour, my second tour, the M-16A1.
If I would have had a choice back then, I would've preferred the M-14 over the M-16.

[AndyS]

13. The Brown Bess is what the 2nd Amendment referred to.

So if we want to use the 'original intent' interpretation of the constitution in which it is alleged that 'militia' refers to all able bodies white men and 'well regulated' means operating correctly this is the arm you can carry.

If, on the other hand, the argument is that the modern sporting rife (a completely fabricated term unlike assault weapon) is protected we must accept that the Constitution is a living document open to reasonable interpretation to encompass evolving technology in which case it's up to courts and legislature to decide what is covered by the 2nd.

Which is it?

[oneshooter]

15. Then you are willing to give government complete control of the internet?

Since the main means of mass communications at that point of time was the printed handbill and the quill pen.

[friendly_iconoclast]

17. The OP advocates extreme deference to authority and voting for Republicans

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10028123984#post28

Don't vote party, vote gun violence. That's why Gabby Gifford's has endorsed two Republicans for senate. The two have consistently voted against the NRA and for her that's the most important issue for the short term.

Even if it is for only one or two election cycles, if the NRA's mythological omnipotence can be defeated and shown for being a mile deep and an inch wide it is worth it.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/126213787

How background checks for guns should work.

I'd like to see some serious reform of the background check system. As it is a search of the FBI data base for felony crimes and a search for involuntary mental care is about all there is.

This is how I'd like to see the background checks be made more effective:

Include a 'permit to purchase' issued by the nearest local law enforcement department. These people are nearest to the purchaser and if there are concerns they will be the ones who know about them. Is this person a scofflaw, causes disturbances not rising to the level of felony, a repeat minor offender or someone who is often in the attention of law enforcement for disturbance of the peace? Shouldn't that be grounds for increased scrutiny and at least a temporary prohibition? Include interviews with relatives and others close to the person to see if there are concerns about maturity and stability in that 'permit to purchase' process.

Include a search of public social media. How many times have we heard of a 'Manifesto' or outright threats found on social media AFTER a tragedy? Shouldn't a threat to 'put a bullet' in the head of Nancy Pelosi be grounds to refuse sales and temporarily remove firearms from someone?

Expand mental health prohibitions to anyone treated for a condition that would indicate a possibility of harm to themselves or others even if not rising to the level of an involuntary committal for care...

[RotorHead]

19. Citation required, please.

[AndyS]

20. See Dial H for Hero's post above.

I was riffing on a post from someone who is clearly an expert on all things gun.

[Dial H For Hero]

21. I'm hardly an expert. I will humbly assert that I know more about collectable firearms than 99% of

the populace, but that doesn't make me an "expert" on the subject, simply someone who is well informed.

[RotorHead]

22. By your own argument, none of your electronic documents...

...or communication tools are protected by the First or Fourth Amendment. Is that really what you want? Of course, the Supreme Court has already dealt with that issue.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/07-290.ZO.html

"Some have made the argument, bordering on the frivolous, that only those arms in existence in the 18th century are protected by the Second Amendment . We do not interpret constitutional rights that way. Just as the First Amendment protects modern forms of communications, e.g., Reno v. American Civil Liberties Union, 521 U. S. 844, 849 (1997) , and the Fourth Amendment applies to modern forms of search, e.g., Kyllo v. United States, 533 U. S. 27, 35–36 (2001) , the Second Amendment extends, prima facie, to all instruments that constitute bearable arms, even those that were not in existence at the time of the founding."

Also, you are apparently ignorant of firearms technology of the time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puckle_gun

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferguson_rifle

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girandoni_Air_Rifle

[AndyS]

23. I've dealt with my share of sanctimonious asses

And see no point in dealing with new ones. I am blocking you and will never see another of your posts, even the one in which you declare victory.

[Dial H For Hero]

24. Honest question: What is the point of publicly declaring that you're blocking someone?

[yagotme]

26. "Im rubber, you're glue"... n/t

[RotorHead]

25. I'm shocked at your response.....

Well, maybe not -very- shocked.....

[oneshooter]

6. Except for those owned by goverment and thier agents?

[OLDMDDEM]

7. Of course

[Dial H For Hero]

2. All of my firearms are locked in safes unless I'm home, in which case one is available for

self defense. No children in the home, BTW.

[sarisataka]

4. Free gun locks

Are available through the National Shooting Sports Federation
https://projectchildsafe.org/

Bloomberg's Moms Demand Action originally launched with a similar program Be Smart for Kids however after a couple years and no locks ever distributed that portion was quietly removed for their site. Still there are some resources on their website that someone may find useful.