A Question Regarding Gun-Related Discussions on DU

[CO Liberal]

This poll was originally posted on the Justice/Public Safety Board, and I wanted to see if the results would be different if an identical poll was posted on another DU board. I thought that the results may change because many people no longer visit the J/PS board, and would not have seen the poll.

The choices below are the same choices as in the original poll, with the addition of the "no opinion" choice. Based on your experience with gun-related discussions here at DU, please respond to this poll.

Thank you.

Wayne
(CO Liberal)

[CO Liberal]

1. Kick

:kick:

[truthspeaker]

2. flawed question - gun control and RKBA are not mutually exclusive

I am in favor of gun control (not prohibition), but I also think the right to keep and bear arms is an important component of a free society.

[CO Liberal]

5. I Was Using the Original Questions.....

...developed by the DU-er who posted the original poll.

[ShimokitaJer]

3. How has my position changed since when?

Since a certain piece of arms control legislation? Since Columbine? Since watching "Bowling for Columbine?"

What is the original question?

[CO Liberal]

6. SInce Participating in Gun-Related Threads On DU

[doc03]

4. Control gun ownership not guns

Wouldn't it make more sense to require a person to go thru a background check an get a license to own guns. It's like in some states now with the concealed carry laws, you can carry a gun if you obtain a permit, so what threat are those people. The criminals are going to have a gun anyway. If a license was required and you are caught with a gun, go to jail. The most recent murder in this area a woman burnt a house down and killed a whole family, would you then outlaw matches?

[Superfly]

7. Now that the DU speed is back...

please feel free to vote in this poll. Thanks!

[CO Liberal]

8. Afternoon Kick

:kick:

[beevul]

9. After months of dungeon reading...

I have only strengthened my convictions (pro RKBA)

[CO Liberal]

10. And I've Strengthened My Convictions...

...the other way.

[slackmaster]

11. Our own personal attitudes matter less than party policy

Even if you take as fact public opinion polls showing widespread support for gun control (some polls show this, others do not) that data is not necessarily the best guide for party policy. People who feel strongly about the right to keep and bear arms are easily alienated by vague platform statements that offer one-size-fits-none solutions to supposed problems, e.g. "mandatory gun locks" without specifying for whom they are mandatory and under what circumstances; or that don't seem to recognize any rational end-point to progressive increases in restrictions on guns or gun ownership.

We have left ourselves open to slippery-slope misinterpretation of our policies, plus we have a few genuine loudmouthed zealots who can be mischaracterized as representing our party as a whole. We wouldn't alienate very many people by simply dropping the issue altogether - Where would people upset by such a policy shift go? Surely not the GOP. On the other side of that coin there are millions of voters who will not vote for any Democrat if they feel their right to property or privacy is threatened by Democrats.

Gun control has become the Democratic Party's albatross, just as George W. Bush is about to learn that religious fundamentalism, opposition to gay marriage, etc. is the GOP's albatross. We should focus on our strengths: The economy, education, environment, etc. Nobody questions your right NOT to own a gun, and a lot of people feel as I do that your right to control your own fist ends where my nose begins.

[Wonk]

12. kick

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Wonk]

14. CO Liberal copied the poll options from Superfly's poll in the gungeon

as was already mentioned in the post originating this thread. It's interesting how the poll results differ depending on the forum they were posted in, which was CO Liberal's point in posting it here, also mentioned above.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=118&topic_id=32875&mesg_id=32875

[beevul]

15. Only 70 votes? Kick!!!!!

Get out the vote!!:evilgrin: