Branding - "Gun Safety" not "Gun Control"

[Still a Democrat]

Heard Barnacle mention this. Everybody is for gun safety. Gun Control sounds like confiscation.

[sharesunited]

1. Sure everyone is for it, but it's misleading.

Safety refers to accident prevention. The trouble with access to guns and ammo is deliberate misuse.

[slackmaster]

4. Any discussion of "access to guns and ammo" is code language for gun confiscation

Access is binary - Either you have access to something, or you don't.

:nuke:

[sharesunited]

9. Room for gradation. For example, no new production. Access to existing stock only.

There's no tricking a gun loving public with euphemisms though.

A natural consensus must form by witnessing the tragedies which will continue to occur.

Until the attitude of It's Still Worth It recedes.

[Statistical]

11. There will be no consensus because homicides and violent crime are at multi decade lows.

Homicide is at a 40+ year low. You need to go back to 1964 to find a year with lower homicide rate.
Violent crime is at a 30+ year low. You need to back to to 1976 to find a year with lower violent crime rate.
Accidental deaths (by firearms) is at a multi generational low (CDC makes direct comparison to years prior to 1999 difficult). Still less than 1% of accidental deaths (and less than 0.02% of all unintentional deaths) are from firearms.

So why is there a need for more gun control?

[sharesunited]

13. Statistics don't capture the horror and injustice of 19 people mowed down in seconds.

That has some impact on public opinion.

[Statistical]

15. Not really. It just "convinces" people who were already convinced.

Less than 30% of Americans support banning handguns.


Then there is that whole pesky 2nd amendment which a super majority believe protects an individual right

[slackmaster]

17. Advocating for incremental changes toward a ban is still advocating for a ban

Your position is extreme to the extreme.

:nuke:

[trayNTP]

7. Guns don't kill, people kill. Guns are safe, as long as people doesn't use them. Since people will..

including some who shouldn't, can there ever be "gun safety"?

Nope. Incidents will continue to occur. Guns just make it easier for deranged people to do damage. If there were no guns, they'd find another way.

[sharesunited]

12. Another way with reduced lethality. That's important.

And which cannot be used with such wanton impulse.

[RSillsbee]

16. Let me point an F-150 at you

and floor it. Then we'll talk reduced lethality and wanton impluse

[shadowrider]

18. Reduced lethality? HUH?????????

Is it better one kills 3 with a knife instead of using a gun to kill 10? Are you seriously saying fewer deaths are ok if another weapon is used??????????????

Good God.

[sharesunited]

19. No number of deaths are ok. But fewer deaths are better than more deaths.

Surely we can agree on THAT, at least.

Unless you love guns too much?

[shadowrider]

20. So you're saying fewer deaths with a gun are ok, as long as there aren't many

Right?

[appal_jack]

23. Agreed.

The NRA offers Gun Safety courses, and very good ones at that (I say that as a NON-NRA member who still appreciates their offerings when it comes to safety).

For the anti-2A crowd, 'gun safety' seems to be their next desired euphemism for further limiting the rights of Americans to keep and bear arms. Sorry, that dog won't hunt.

-app

[trayNTP]

2. Who came up with "gun control"? Democrats just need to stop accepting GOP memes.

[slackmaster]

3. Basic gun safety should be taught in public schools

But there are people who would confiscate guns.

[Myrina]

5. IMO, the ultimate lesson in the Arizona tragedy is HEALTH CARE

... and how mental health issues are overlooked or stigmatized, and medications are not-so-easily available for those that need them.

Had he had access to, or his parents had access to (I'm assuming they didn't) and followed recommendations for a mental health assessement/treatment and meds for him, this could possibly not have happened. He could have either been in a treatment center, or at the very least, on the list of 'do not sell to' for gun-folks.

Think of how many other Americans are out on the streets without the meds or counseling they need because our health care system doesn't have single payer, or provide everyone access to the basic care they - AND WE AS A SOCIETY - need.

:shrug:

[sharesunited]

21. On two levels Myrian. Anyone who wants guns in the hands of the public should want public health.

Mental health treatment and treatment of bullet wounds resulting from a public policy which tolerates guns.

[onehandle]

6. "Gun Safety" is code for unrestricted access to military grade hardware.

"If I've taken a course in using it, why shouldn't I be able to own a surface to air missile?'

[Statistical]

10. Strawman. Nobody except you is advocating access to missiles.

[Statistical]

8. A fart is still a fart no matter what you call it.

Homicide is at a 40+ year low. You need to go back to 1964 to find a year with lower homicide rate.
Violent crime is at a 30+ year low. You need to back to to 1976 to find a year with lower violent crime rate.
Accidental deaths (by firearms) is at a multi generational low (CDC makes direct comparison to years prior to 1999 difficult). Still less than 1% of accidental deaths (and less than 0.02% of all unintentional deaths) are from firearms.

So why is there a need for more gun control?

Making snap judgments based on emotion and fear (and not on statistical evidence) got us the TSA and Patriot Act (neither of which are likely ever going away).

[Fla_Democrat]

14. Why not call it "Puppies and Kittens"

Everybody (should) loves puppies and kittens... If the words are chosen for their feel value, rather than their accurate description... you get things like the Patriot Act.


:smoke:

[benEzra]

22. That only works if it's not being used as a euphemism for new bans...

and the term was worn completely out during the 1990's and early 2000's due to its incessant use as a ban euphemism.

[PavePusher]

24. Well, the president just quoted the new line.

I guess we're going to have to wrestle this one for a few falls. Damn, I thought he was smarter then that.

[beevul]

26. Please elaborate.

I have no access to broadcast atm.

[X_Digger]

27. Instead of gun control, say gun 'safety'.. he said it at the memorial service.

And on that note, was anyone else creeped out by the college kids yelling and hooting for their school? At a fucking memorial.. *sigh*

[PavePusher]

28. Transcript in G.D.

Transcript here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x188408

"You see, when a tragedy like this strikes, it is part of our nature to demand explanations - to try to impose some order on the chaos, and make sense out of that which seems senseless. Already we've seen a national conversation commence, not only about the motivations behind these killings, but about everything from the merits of gun safety laws to the adequacy of our mental health systems. Much of this process, of debating what might be done to prevent such tragedies in the future, is an essential ingredient in our exercise of self-government."

[beevul]

29. Thank you. N/T

[X_Digger]

25. Orwellian Newspeak.. not gonna fly. n/t