Shameless pitch: Please visit Justice forum poll

[Shanty Oilish]

What! You never go there? I'm curious how DUers (besides the J/PS regulars) regard the Second Amendment right to keep and bear firearms.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=118&topic_id=9735

[ComerPerro]

1. Took it

The poll is a bit nonspecific. My take is that citizens do indeed have a right to bear arms. But some people take it to a fanatic degree, and translate it to mean that they are obligated to buy massive fully automatic weapons and assault rifles with night vision and a laser scope.

[sybylla]

2. I took it as well.

before you posted it here. Seemed pretty tame for the gun dungeon. You all got a mess of doobies down there?

[karlschneider]

3. I agree. I didn't vote because it didn't contain a choice I liked. I have

a BUNCH of guns and have always had at least one since the age of 7 (55 years ago), but I do not maintain that having them is an absolute constitutional right. Having said that, however, it seems to me there may come a day, if it isn't already here, that liberals/progressives might begin to wish they had one or more, given what is happening to the Bill of Rights. Interpret them (esp. the 2nd) any way you want, it conceivably could come down to the point of defending what remains of them by force. After all, that's how we got them in the first place.

Now, in case Mr. ASScrack is watching, I'm not advocating the violent overthrow of the government, just speculating on possibilities.

This particular Old Phart is ready and willing to defend his constitutionally derived rights by whatever means necessary. It ain't like I'm gonna be around all that much longer anyway...
:eyes:

[ComerPerro]

4. Ive always been of the opinion that

It might be nice to have some guns, but I would rather have a bunch of guitars.

[oostevo]

5. While I Understand How Many Liberals Support Gun Control ...

I think it is a bit hypocritical to be not very reasonable in one's interpretation of ammendments 1 & 3-10 but then turn around and ask people to be reasonable and moderate about ammendment 2.

Therefore, while I do not particurally like guns, I can't advocate gun control because of my "won't give an inch" stance on the rest of the Bill of Rights.

[ComerPerro]

6. Good point

But I think that bans on assault weapons might be a good idea. I really don't see why anyone not intending to break the law would need them. Also, I don't have a problem with gun control that would simply qualify as registration. What is the harm in registering your firearms?

[InkAddict]

7. I'd rather see enforcement and sentencing

structured by reliably/consistently applied consequences in cases where any type of firearm is used/stored irresponsibly. Fine, people like their guns, but I think owners/shooters need to be hypervigilant in regard to how the weapons are legally used. Owners/shooters should also maintain absolute control over weapons' storage, i.e., trigger locking devices, storage vaults not display cabinets, common sense security precautions when traveling, etc...

Failure to maintain responsible ownership and use should result in harsh mandatory penalties. Also, some weapons have no value for target sport, hunting, or are just plain, pardon the expression, "overkill" on the idea of personal security. These weapons should not be available for purchase to the general public; then, if the weapons are in the "community," they're likely to be "blackmarket." Responsible marksmanship for legal hunting, competition, and ownership for those authorized to pack in the course of their employment, should not be infringed upon, but full responsibility should be in place and absolutely enforced at all times and by EVERYONE, NO EXCEPTIONS.