310 million guns in America: Conservatives say Government takes guns!

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  1. Credence2 profile image80
    Credence2posted 8 years ago

    http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/09/politics/ … n-america/

    I know that we have beaten this gun issue like a dead horse, but that number is startling. That is almost a gun for every man, woman and child in America.

    Yet, conservatives tell me that if guns were registered, subject to background check, etc, that the Government, knowing who has them will try to confiscate them in the cover of night. How is that possible?

    There are alot of 'gun people' on this forum that say that this is a reasonable fear? How do you take that many guns from so many people without creating a ripple?

    In fear of the so called "imperial Obama" and what conservatives seemed to be obsessed about regarding Democratic congressmen, gun ownership has grown at an even faster rate in the last few years.

    It is like trying to sneak into every home and confiscate everyone's bedroom slippers. Totally ludicrous.

    1. wilderness profile image95
      wildernessposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      1.  No one says government will confiscate "under cover of night" - a gross exaggeration.

      2.  No one says guns will be confiscated "without a ripple".  Of course there will be a ripple - a tidal wave.

      3.  Yes, it is a reasonable fear - it has been done elsewhere in the world and it has already been done in certain US cities.  There are constant calls to confiscate "assault weapons" - ordinary hunting guns that liberals falsely claim are assault weapons - and handguns are prohibited in some cities now.  These type of actions hardly allay fears that liberals want to ban all guns, particularly as many powerful liberals make it very plain that that is exactly what they want.

      1. Credence2 profile image80
        Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

        But, Wilderness, 310 Million? It is logistically impossible, even if all the Democrats wanted it.  Australia is not the United States, with a population where every body has a gun. I am sure that the experiment in Australia was attempted on a far reduced scale. The 'calls' mean nothing. I want to use my pogo-stick to jump to moon, that doesn't make it possible. If they are prohibited in some cities, they must be bristling everywhere else to account for those incredible numbers.

        How do people worry about something that seem so far fetched, look at the sheer logistics involved?

        Australia, roughly 2 million guns 1 for every 5 people. How does that compare with 310 million, one for every person in the United States? That does not sound much like apples to apples to me.

        1. wilderness profile image95
          wildernessposted 8 years agoin reply to this

          What does that it cannot be done have anything to do with passing laws to do it anyway?  We can't take marijuana away, either, but jail an awful lot of folks in the effort!  Nobody is stupid enough to think that government can ever clean out every single weapon in this country, but that doesn't make them back off.  Laws are passed almost daily to restrict and remove guns from American citizens - it is not possible that either those lawmakers or their constituents think it will ever be done 100%.

          1. Credence2 profile image80
            Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

            It is the same thing the GOP proposes to shut down the Government over Planned Parenthood Funding.

            I don't worry about it as it is just talk by the GOP to appease its base, it simply is not politically palatable.

            With the furor by conservatives about even mentioning the 2nd amendment akin to touching the eyeball of God, any real attempt to get at firearm ownership is simply impossible in this political climate.

            The Australians, having the civility of being part of the British Commowealth,  are not obsessed with weapons and do not have million dollar lobbies and politicians whose very careers hang on where they stand on the issue.

            Things are much different here.

            The amount of users of marijuna is small in proportion to the total population, that is like comparing apples to hand grenades. Not every man, woman and child is smoking and dealing in a controlled substance. The failure of Prohibition is a better example. When a large segment of the population drinks, how are you going to legislate against it successfully?

            We may have to agree to disagree on this one, I think for many reasons the fear is unfounded.

            1. wilderness profile image95
              wildernessposted 8 years agoin reply to this

              "...any real attempt to get at firearm ownership is simply impossible in this political climate."

              And there you have said it - the "political climate" is slowly but surely swinging towards banning all guns.  Sooner or later it will happen, and the near term evidence is that it will be done slowly, piece by piece, until the desired goal is reached.  Start with handguns, go into a made up scary definition of "assault weapon" because it frightens people (maybe with a pause at banning ammunition for your guns?) and ban them, move into pure hunting rifles and black powder guns from centuries ago.  Eventually you'll get very nearly all of them.  Certainly no one will be able to actually USE one of the weapons guaranteed to us, or bear one either. 

              That's how it's done, and you understand this quite well.  Why, then, the insistence it is impossible, will not happen and cannot happen (as we watch the world disarm it's citizens?  Why the ridicule of people looking at historical actions as well as modern talk from "leaders" saying that's exactly what they want and are trying to do?

            2. tirelesstraveler profile image61
              tirelesstravelerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

              Did you notice the amazing catastrophe over the weekend
              All government offices were shut down for four days and nobody noticed.                                                Is it true the legislature of Nevada only meets every other year?     My fear is not of government confiscating guns , my fear is getting lost in government red tape. Like my passport a few years ago when I sent it in for a visa.  Two weeks of calling to find out where it was and I had to find the FedEx hub that had finally got it, have them pull it off a truck, and pick it up on my way to the airport. I'm glad the FedEx gal liked me.

          2. colorfulone profile image77
            colorfuloneposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            It cannot be done.  Its to easy to make improvised forearms.

            1. wilderness profile image95
              wildernessposted 8 years agoin reply to this

              You can already 3D print one, with the cost of a printer being not much more than a single gun.

              1. colorfulone profile image77
                colorfuloneposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                That's something I hadn't read about, interesting.  I like the name WikiWeps!

              2. Credence2 profile image80
                Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

                Saw that technology featured on a CSI-New York drama a few years ago, when they were trying to figure out in the story how a pistol got past a metal detector.

                Got a ways to go still before we can talk about molecular pattern replicators.

      2. profile image57
        retief2000posted 8 years agoin reply to this

        It is always a reasonable fear that government will seek to expand its power at the cost of your liberty. It has always been that way.

           
        “Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.”
        George Washington

        Government is permitted too much power, too much authority and it engages in far too much action without regard to the citizenry.

    2. profile image0
      Onusonusposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      If Hitler, Mao, and Stalin can do it, so can any other tyrant. And yes, it's okay to compare Presidents to tyrants. It's an effective way to prevent history from repeating itself. Liberals don't seem to enjoy learning from history, which is probably why they are constantly re-writing it.

      1. Credence2 profile image80
        Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

        And rightwingers are the constant crybabies and alarmists, this is not Nazi Germany, Red China, nor the USSR.

        I know history well enough to know that whatever and whenever there were tyrants it was the political Right that was at the forefront. That's in stone, no need to rewrite anything.

        1. profile image0
          Onusonusposted 8 years agoin reply to this

          Sorry to tell you but big government is on the left, small government is on the right.

          Ergo, Libertarians, Conservatives, and Republicans are on the right.

          Whereas Democrats, Liberals, Progressives, Socialists, Communists, and Fascists are on the left.

          According to the brand of ideology, the government gets bigger, as the individual gets smaller. And with the degradation of societal morality comes a need for more lawmaking.

          1. rhamson profile image70
            rhamsonposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            And they are all on the corporate teat.

            1. profile image0
              Onusonusposted 8 years agoin reply to this

              For America it's moreover the Democrats and Republicans. The rest are Ideological, as they rarely win elections.

          2. Credence2 profile image80
            Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

            Fascism is a right wing concept, lets not be fooled.... Did you think that Hitler, Mussolini or even Stalin were liberals?

            It is silly to think that there is such a thing as "small government' for a society of 300 million people.

            1. profile image0
              Onusonusposted 8 years agoin reply to this

              Hiller, Mousolini, and Stalin were Socialists and Communists, which is left wing ideology.

              And no, small government is not a silly idea, as far as federal government is concerned. You are forgetting that the states are set up to govern themselves. The federal government only has three duties to the people which they have failed miserably at.

              Regulate commerce; Except that thanks to "the new deal" they have created a centralized banking system, and printed an abundance of money causing massive over inflation. Fail.

              Provide for the general welfare; This was intended to provide for some infrastructure, that is things that are useful to the general public like building roads and dams, not pander to special interest groups, create social programs like social security that turn into Ponzi schemes. Fail.

              Provide for the common defence; The amount of illegal immigrants that come into this country unchecked, and unvetted is unconscionable compared to any other country in the world, not to mention the massive overspending in a defense budget that does little to protect it's own citizens from real threats. (and I'm not talking about climate change). Fail.

              Small government can work if the people choose to accept the general precepts of morality. The less moral a nation is, the more laws it gets until it becomes an oligarchy.  Sadly there are few times in history that the world has experienced the kind of freedom that we now have, and as we degrade the rule of law as outlined in our constitution, we move from a republic, to an unhinged democracy, to an oligarchy, and dictatorship.

              1. Credence2 profile image80
                Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

                Just because, Nazi has the word socialist in its abbreviation does not make it leftist.  Totalitarianism and authoritarianism belongs comfortable in the world of the Right. Perhaps a little wikipedia is what you need to come down from your high horse?

                1. profile image0
                  Onusonusposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  If that is true then why are you advocating for bigger government?

  2. tirelesstraveler profile image61
    tirelesstravelerposted 8 years ago

    Yes they are.  A new law went into effect in California on Friday.  The police if they know there is a gun in a house all they need is a reasonable doubt to confiscate it.  What is a reasonable doubt?  I saw your gun and I don't like guns, I am afraid of your gun. I call the police and tell them about your gun they come and take it. 
    If you are not doing something somebody doesn't like in this state you are wrong until proven guilty.
    Time and again the people of California have been told their vote doesn't matter by the court.  We are a one party state and if you get on someone's bad side it doesn't matter whether it's true; you are the bad guy.
    When the authorities know there is a gun they don't always behave rationally.

    1. Credence2 profile image80
      Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      The point of this discussion is to show that the fear conservatives always have about Government taking their guns is not based on reality of the situation at hand.

      I support registration, background checks, etc. Many conservatives do not agree. But the explanation of the Government confiscating that many guns from that many people is poor excuse for a reason. The others may have validity....

      1. tirelesstraveler profile image61
        tirelesstravelerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

        Could you define what a conservative is?

        1. Credence2 profile image80
          Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

          This is all relative, but using this forum as a backdrop, I am certainly not one over most issues we discuss these days.

          I would like to discuss with you in more detail, there are so many different aspects that have to touch upon to accurately answer that.

          So, if you will be around and be patient, I will get back with you...

          It may well deserve a thread of its own

          1. tirelesstraveler profile image61
            tirelesstravelerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            smile

            1. Credence2 profile image80
              Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

              I can only give generalizations of what conservatism seems to be using the example of posters on these forums

              Based on the fear of the possibility of a development of a tyrannical government, Conservatives believe that the right to purchase and bear firearms is one not to be compromised through what they believe to be troublesome government oversight, i.e. registration, etc.

              2.        Conservatives seem to believe that aggressive anti-abortion policy/law should start at conception.

              3. Conservatives want greater influence of religion, judeo-christian specifically in the public square as they say that it is the foundation of this country.

              Conservatives seem to see the concept of government, itself, in an adversarial light. Too much regulation, they fall back on the concept of personal accountability. They say ‘less government more freedom”. Privatize, privatize, privatize.

              Conservatives has an eternal faith in capitalism, and free markets to adjust imbalances in the American economy.

              Conservatives are all hoorah about military spending as they say that is the only line of the budget that is controlled by circumstances abroad. This is their basis of a strong defense.

              Conservatives say that there is a concept of ‘too much’ democracy, they emphasize ‘republic’ over democracy.

              Conservative embrace the ideals of ‘traditional values”, if there ever was such a time?

              Conservatives have a strong negative view of social spending, collectivism is their term. Based on their concept of the right people always doing the right things will always prevail, they believe charity should be left to the individual.
              ----------------------
              I see in conservatism, of ‘an order in things’ and inequity is just the reality of that order. The concept of egalitarianism is futile. So, they say why fight the idea that some of us are more equal than others… It is going to turn out that way regardless of what you do.


              Can you or anyone else, counter?

              1. tirelesstraveler profile image61
                tirelesstravelerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                My definition of a conservative and there are a sad few that actually qualify would be:
                A person who takes responsibility for what they do.
                A conservative would understand  blaming is a dead end game.
                A person who tries to do the right thing, and when they fail apologizes.
                A person who is charitable toward those in need.  This person will  give from his own pocket book without expecting anything but a "Thank you" in return.
                A person who understands that you can raise wages as high as you want, but there is a tipping point when people won't pay enough for your product for the company to  make money.When a business doesn't make a profit and goes into debt it is doomed unless something changes.  Either the product can be made cheaper or more people want it, but unless the company makes a profit the company will close and everyone who works for that company loses their jobs.
                A person who helps someone become all they can be.
                A person who knows hard work will reap benefits, but hard work is hard, it makes you tired and sometimes there doesn't seem to be any use in the hard work.
                A person who goes to the origin of something to get facts then makes decisions.
                A person who tells the truth.
                A person who believes that all people are valuable.
                I could go on for some time, but I have run out of time. 
                See conservative is complex.  Many  words people have a knee jerk reaction to are just as complex.

                1. rhamson profile image70
                  rhamsonposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  This is a very true statement but it flails in the sense of our economic system. The statement "people won't pay enough for your product for the company to  make money" is centered on a every real truth. The "virtuous cycle" as opposed to the "vicious cycle" is at the crux of the matter. Through the use of foreign labor markets the virtuous cycle has been interrupted by their use to drive down the costs. This lower cost is demanded due to the inability of the domestic marketplace to produce jobs and consequently the ability to pay higher wages, a vicious downward cycle The virtuous cycle is one where the costs are met by a rewarding those who spend what they earn to support the business' and the economy. This has always been the upward trend.  We are in the throws of a vicious cycle the conservatives cannot reason their way out of. Venture Capitalists and such have rewarded us with this reality. It also happens one such "entrepreneur" was their last offering to us as President.

                  1. tirelesstraveler profile image61
                    tirelesstravelerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                    You might be surprised at how much it costs to employe engineers in India. -   The tipping point between paying overseas workers may be near. In high tech at least.                                               If rewarding  people for spending works then we should be flouishing.   GenXers sould be coming out of university and buying homes because of college loans.  Instead many places Gen Xers are coming out of university with a house size payment on their student loans. They are also living with parents or crammed into college like living conditions to afford to live on their own.  These kids are becoming so smart on saving money it's scary.

                2. Credence2 profile image80
                  Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  Tireless, I certainly don't know any conservatives like this, for a matter of fact I don't very many people like this...

                  1. tirelesstraveler profile image61
                    tirelesstravelerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                    You might be surprised. They don't tend to scream and shout much.

    2. Credence2 profile image80
      Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I read the law, and you and I both know that it is not that simple. A judges warrant has to be obtained and that is a little more involved than some cop's reasonable doubt.

      Why don't you read the bill for yourself?....

      1. wilderness profile image95
        wildernessposted 8 years agoin reply to this

        Yes, there is more than a cop's reasonable doubt.  Things such as purchase of ammunition can be considered, or arrest (not conviction, just arrest) for any felony any time in the past is a good indication of imminent danger.  So is a family member angry at the victim - their testimony can be considered by the judge.

        Sounds ripe for abuse to me.  Another way to confiscate guns, and that it violates constitutional rules for search and seizure doesn't matter because it only applies to gun owners.  Or at least only to people that someone thinks might be a gun owner.

        1. Credence2 profile image80
          Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

          I don't think that search warrants are just handed out to cops willy-nilly. There needs to be compelling evidence and there is no reason to believe that the judges are not going to do their jobs as impartial evaluators of the circumstances.

          1. wilderness profile image95
            wildernessposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            Not according to what I view "compelling" to be and what the article I read said.  It's nice to pretend that such laws won't be abused, or that they are not made with the intention to collect guns but that's a fantasy world, particularly in a land of over reaching liberalism and fear/hatred of guns.  IMHO.

      2. GA Anderson profile image83
        GA Andersonposted 8 years agoin reply to this

        Oh no, Of all people to get me to participate in these gun control threads, it did have to be you. Oh well, at least I know I am not talking to a tree.

        I had previously followed your advice to TirelessTraveler, so your admonishment causes me to wonder if you have read the bill.

        Take a look at what the bill says to your inferred point that a judicially qualified person, (specifically, a judge), is required to issue a temporary Gun Violence restraining order;

        *(from the text of the bill)
        "...designate at least one judge, commissioner, or referee who is required to be reasonably available to issue temporary emergency gun violence restraining orders when the court is not in session." *(first paragraph of the executive digest of the bill)

        Speaking for my state and county, (Maryland, Wicomico county), a commissioner is a designated "up-right" citizen, not required to have legal or judicial training. I do not know what a "referee's" qualifications would be. It would only be speculation to fix a number to the percentage of order requests made outside of normal court session hours, but even so it still seems worth noting that contrary to your assertion, it is highly probable that such an order could be validated by someone no more judicially qualified than being an acquaintance of someone involved in the commissioner selection process.

        Considering that perspective, the argument that a "judge" will evaluate the validity of the request as a filter against knee-jerk, frivolous, or maliciously motivated requests, seems a little weak.

        A couple further points might be of interest to those who think this bill is judicially sound as it relates to a subject's right of due process.

        1) the notice of the restraining order need only be served on the subject if they can be "reasonably" located. Hmm... who decides what is reasonable location efforts?

        2) the process to get a restraining order can be done ex parte, which we all know means the subject does not have to be present to defend against such an order.

        So if the gun owner doesn't have to be notified of the process unless they are reasonably easy to find, and if the order can be granted without the presence of the gun owner during the process, and if the process can be approved and granted by someone with no judicial qualifications, (the "referee")...

        ... then maybe your assertion that everything is hunky-dory because a judge approved it should be revisited.

        Just sayin'

        GA

        1. Credence2 profile image80
          Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

          So, I brought you out of hiding, I have to be good to annoy so many people at once.

          Yes, the question remains what is the training associated with being a referee or commissioner. GA, I would like to believe that just not anybody is given the authority to issue a warrant to police to search my property?

          I think that it is a bit of a reach to presume that these referee types are unqualified to come to an appropriate decision. Without evidence of that, I have to assume otherwise.

          So how do we define 'reasonable suspicion' in the legal lexicon? I don't have all the answers, GA, but neither does the other side.

          The gun people can stop sweating profusely, you can bet that this will be challenged in court the moment that abuse of this provision is found to take place.

          1. tirelesstraveler profile image61
            tirelesstravelerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            So sorry GA

            1. GA Anderson profile image83
              GA Andersonposted 8 years agoin reply to this

              No worries tirelesstraveler, Credence2 was probably expecting me anyway. He has been drifting a little lately, and I usually try to pull him back from the Dark side.

              GA

              1. Credence2 profile image80
                Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

                I think that your going polarized on me. The Right is the only truly 'dark side' in the endless battle for truth and justice. I believe that I have come up with a fitting 'purple' solution to the problem.

                1. GA Anderson profile image83
                  GA Andersonposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  I disagree with the right being the Dark side, but I sure agree with your efforts for purple solutions.

                  Of course you know it is only my opinion, (but you also must be aware of the depth of my wisdom), but I think you should add an adjective to your use of "Right." Like maybe far Right, or extreme Right, or Fringe Right, or even Nutcase Right. All Conservatives, (the real  Right), do not match the degrees I mentioned above, and thus do not deserve your barbs.

                  And speaking of the Right, (or the Left), what the hell happened to Centrist? Nobody admits to being a Centrist. Nobody admits to taking a little from both sides to reach an equilibrium that best serves all. Except me! A Centrist is a Purple! I am a Purple!

                  GA

                  1. tsmog profile image86
                    tsmogposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                    I am a progressive right. Does that add to your theory of centrist? wink

                  2. Credence2 profile image80
                    Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

                    You 'a centrist' are on the endangered species list. All conservative politics these days are far right, extreme right, nutcase right and fringe. Show me a voice of moderation anywhere near just right of center? I haven't  seen it, have you? Look at the candidates that the party that supposidly represents conservatives are fielding, anyone of them with a hint of moderation is being drummed out from consideration. Look at who is at the top of the food chain, Trump and Cruz, two of the worst reactionaries to be ever let loose upon an unsuspecting public. Look at the strong following these guys have among 'reasonable conservatives' The wackos are, for many of us, changing the meaning of what it is to be  'conservative' . The Right will never compromise. But, while it has an unassailable outer battle chasis,  it resembles that eternal 'death star' that has to made ineffective by carefully throwing the perverbial  'wrench' in just the right places, inside the gutty-works!

          2. wilderness profile image95
            wildernessposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            From GA's post:
            "Speaking for my state and county, (Maryland, Wicomico county), a commissioner is a designated "up-right" citizen, not required to have legal or judicial training."

            Should answer the question as to what training they must have in order to instigate confiscating guns.

            But you're right - this will be contested in court and won't last long there.  So some other method of grabbing guns from innocent people will arise to take it's place; it isn't be the first time and won't be the last.

            1. Credence2 profile image80
              Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

              Wilderness, from an recent earlier post above. So what is this 'personal responsibility'? So, is it the conservatives that decide what is absolutely essential minimal government? So, social security, medicare/medicaid are all 'nanny government'?  You conservatives are NEVER realistic, all of those old hominies roll off from the tongue so easily. You guys seem to think that we all should be able to individually save all the money that we will need for the horrendous costs of medicine. You are more than willing to let the ripoff artists take everything saying that the consumer man in the street should be able such and defend with his or her own resources. You are against EPA and very concept of the Government as referee, regulator whose oversight  assists and protects the consumer and citizen This is not the "Waltons" and not resembling your idyllic Idaho. The world is a more complicated place and your position is an anachronism. No regulation, no oversight, people are just responsivble for protecting themselves with inferior knowledge and access?

              What you seek is simply not possible and acceptable today.

              But, you are anachronistic in so many other ways. I found, on a different note that minimum wage laws are applicable for 90 percent of world's nations. What is it that all these people and governments know that you don't?
              Those old 19th century ideas, freshened up and made to serve again? Progressivism is the future, it is the only road consistent with modernity and progress.

              1. wilderness profile image95
                wildernessposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                Kind of what I said, isn't it?  No concern for the other view, just an eternal quest for more government control.  All conservatives recognize a need for government, but liberals appear to have no limit to what government could and should do.  Personal responsibility is to be eliminated as much as possible, presumably because our citizens are not capable taking care of themselves and need a nanny to do it for them.

                Progressivism is indeed the wave of the future, and we see the results in places like Greece.  It will be our future, too, unless the conservatives can exert enough strength to stop it.  It appears to me that all nations will eventually succumb when the nanny state is the goal, but perhaps we can put it off for a while.

                Absolutely welfare is a part of a nanny state.  So is medicaid and, to a lesser extent, SS.  By definition.

                Ripoff artists can only "take everything" if you allow it.  The lib method is for the ripoff artists called "politicians" to determine when that happens; the conservative method is for the consumer/worker/citizen to make that decision themselves.  Should they fail to educate themselves they will be ripped off, but the lib guarantees it will happen as the decision is being made by the artists themselves!

                1. Credence2 profile image80
                  Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  An example, Wilderness, do you know what a derivative is? I touched on studies of calculus years ago. Because of much of the resistance of conservatives to eliminate Glass-Stengall banks can use funds of unsuspecting like a Vegas roulette machine. The GOP was in cahoots with the 401k industry in their resistance to full disclosure of the fees and surcharges associated  with managing the millions of 401k plans people were counting on for their retirements.

                  You approach says that the people should be able to do the 'calculus' on their own and that the institutions that were ripping them off should not be subject to any government regulation or requirement.

                  For the consumer/worker/citizen to make the decisions they have to have access to knowledge and you are a big guy and should know that these services and industries prefer  to operate dishonestly unless given strong incentive to do otherwise. If there is no light shining on you, why not take as much as you can? The people are not qualified to discern the difference, that is what they count on But we are all supposed to trust them without reservation?

                  Reminds me of the restaurant industry in California where a placard has to be placed in plain site having a A-D rating as to the evaluation of health inspectors of their respective establishment. I guess without that hated regulation and the nanny government, we endure unsanitary conditions that we would know nothing about until someone got sick. Where does 'personal responsibility' come to play here?

                  So, there is a standard while it does not guarantee that all restaurants are clean and safe places to eat, the state of California provides a strong incentive. People NOW have the choice, based on knowledge to bypass establishments making informed decisions on where they choose to eat.

                  Pretty clever of those Californians, isn't it?

                  1. wilderness profile image95
                    wildernessposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                    Actually, I don't particularly disagree with the placard thing.  I DO disagree with shutting down all the restaurants that don't get an A rating because people are too stupid to read the placard. 

                    So sure, government can be helpful in educating the public...when the public chooses to be educated.  When they do not, it is their own fault (for the most part) and not some bureaucrat somewhere that failed in his job because he didn't prevent consequences that education would have.

                    Bottom line - people ARE responsible for finding the "calculus".  And if they aren't smart enough to do so then stay away from that business.  It really isn't that difficult a concept - that you can take a sucker only with their participation - and that most of the time government is unnecessary.  Not always - government does has it's place in protecting people - but for the most part people can do it themselves if they weren't so greedy themselves.

          3. GA Anderson profile image83
            GA Andersonposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            You didn't annoy me, I have my bathing suit on and have been ready to jump in as soon as I found a pool that wasn't so hot.

            Relative to a "referee's" qualifications I am not saying they wouldn't be qualified to make good and reasonable decisions, but I think an order concerning possible legal charges, detainment, and search and seizure events might be most justly served by the "typical" judicial processes for these actions. I think a legal background is needed.

            My use of "up-right" citizen was not intended as a slight, just a descriptor I think most of us would understand.

            As a starting point; If a better written version of this law was enacted via the will of the people, (Californians), I would not have a problem with it. I wouldn't like it, and I wouldn't live within its jurisdiction, but I strongly feel that the folks of a society should be able to make their rules* (Hold on folks, you know I mean within legal and constitutional boundaries)

            I did read the text of the bill, and this first paragraph 'who can do it' issue is just the starter. The rest of it has even more just trust us ambiguous sections.

            For one, as Wilderness' thread on this stated, it could be possible for someone to make the charge with convincing lies and get an order placed. Proponents aren't describing it that way, but the wording is so unqualified that the potential is there. Too readily there in my opinion.

            To your question about "reasonable suspicion," I don't think there is a short-cut. In any lexicon. With consequences as serious as these, (on both sides, damned-if-you-do and damned-if-you-don't), I think nothing less than our established judicial process for warrants; arrest or search and seizure, will service the needs of one and of all.

            GA

            1. Credence2 profile image80
              Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

              I was under the impression that the judicial process used for this 'firearm provision' would mirror that otherwised used for arrest and search and seizure. I would have problems with the bill if all this watered down. It shouldn't be. Whatever is required for issuing any warrant should be the same in the case of this law. Otherwise, I would be concerned about extralegal processes.


              The whole raison d'etre about  consevative reasoning is 'just trust us'. This in virtually every aspect of American life, with the noted exception of the 2nd Amendment.

              The systems has its checks and balances and you can be sure that all that hot head energy from the gun people will never be dissapated until this law,  if allowed to stay, is rightsized.

              1. GA Anderson profile image83
                GA Andersonposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                No, no, no, no! It is the text of the law that infers the "just trust us" interpretation. I am sure you don't think it was Conservatives that wrote this law.

                And the process only "mirrors" the usual judicial process during court hours. After hours it is written as catch as catch can, after hours the process could be reduced to "referees" making decisions normally reserved for judges.

                GA

                1. Credence2 profile image80
                  Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  No, that is not what I meant, I say the conservatives say trust us: no regulation needed on Wall Street, the market and operators will do the right thing

                  Trust us, we don't need federal intervention on Civil Rights all of us 'good people' down here are coming along and making progress.

                  Always the assumption that good people (of Mayberry) will do what they have not or should have done ready, that they have yet to do, on their own volition, without the force of law to encourage them.

                  Sorry to confuse, I was not specifically speaking of this particular law when I used that term.

  3. profile image0
    ahorsebackposted 8 years ago

    So , Its obvious to me that so many anti -gun people have a paranoia about guns !
    Which tells me ., they not only DON"T  own them , but fear them  INTENSLY .........
    ' One gun for every American "   .......But I know  at least  three collectors  who own  a couple of hundred  guns ......each ! , I myself own  primitive guns  in the numbers of thirty or so .  ................Kind of blows it out of the water .......
    "A gun for every American"...... but drivel on people  !

    If liberals could simply "get over '  their   paranoia for a moment and actually use their heads , they would find that first of all , GUNS aren't the problem , no more than  baseball bats  are a problem, related to crime !

    But.............you won't , you will go on with this meaningless , accomplish-ness  drivel !   

    Look  , The sky is falling !

  4. tirelesstraveler profile image61
    tirelesstravelerposted 8 years ago

    5150, that will qualify you to have guns taken away from you. No judge involved.               There is a rare judge in California who would not sign a court order to search for guns.

  5. profile image0
    ahorsebackposted 8 years ago

    America , has simply had enough of  political correctness , and the kicker here is this , Its origination was   from both sides !  Obama  isn't so bad as a political leader , It's simply that he is weak  when the majority of Americans elected him they were virtually ready for a change that they themselves didn't comprehend .       But that would have required a strong leader ........ He is not that leader .
    As a nation , civilians were ready for the" change " more than even for  the" hope" , hope in itself , ,is for fools , if it is entertained  without change ! 
    President Obama  is simply not all that  embellishing  as a leader ,  his style is simply quiet ! Quietly rhetorical , weak .   Jimmy Carter -weak !   I wish he wasn't though , I wish that he really  hadn't resorted to  partisan  rhetoric  so soon in his  presidency , that was the breaking point that decided  that he couldn't move beyond  America's  expectations ............  he's just Average  .

  6. Alternative Prime profile image59
    Alternative Primeposted 8 years ago

    According to some reports, Estimates are UP to roughly 350 Million GUNz in America, an ASTOUNDING Number and we STILL Experience SIGNIFICANT Gun Violence ~

    Even at 310 MILLION, I guess it Definitively Contradicts & Dis-Proves that Ridiculous CONservative CON-Job that "More GUNz will Keep us SAFER", an INSANE Theory which has been pretty much "Blown out of the WATER" ~

    So how SATURATED with GUNz do OUR Streets need to be in order to "Make Us SAFE" & Eliminate "Gun Crime" ?? 500 MILLION ? 750 Million ? 1 BILLION ? ~ sad ~

    1. profile image0
      Onusonusposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Except for the fact that most of those murders occur in gun free zones like Chicago, Detroit, D.C., and New Orleans.

      1. Alternative Prime profile image59
        Alternative Primeposted 8 years agoin reply to this

        Here's the Overriding FACT ~ There are way too many DUBIOUS & Suspect sources & links posted in these chat forums so I'm really not sure how ACCURATE your Stats are but in Reality, you need to look at the BIG Nationwide Picture ~

        CONservatives have been espousing the Nonsensical NRA Rhetoric that " GUNz make us SAFE" ~ This is their ENTIRE Ridiculous Argument in a Proverbial Nutshell ~

        In approximate numbers, there is NOW at LEAST 1 Gun for every American for a TOTAL of roughly 310-350 MILLION GUNz in America, so my question still stands ~ Are we SAFE? The CORRECT answer is NO which means the NRA Contrived CONservative Republican Rhetoric & THEORY has Clearly been De-Bunked & Disproven just like the "LOCH-Ness Monster" and "Jed Bush's Competency to be President" ~

        1. rhamson profile image70
          rhamsonposted 8 years agoin reply to this

          The scary part of a 1 gun per person tally is that these same people (all of us in total) can't even get our political system in order let alone have the power of life and death in our hands.

          1. Alternative Prime profile image59
            Alternative Primeposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            But in REALITY, OUR "Political System" is just FINE with a few Tweaks to "Lobbyists & Campign Contributions" ~

            It's the Irrational Republican Party that is Now Defunct, a party of unscrupulous individuals who at this very moment, has just completed its 50th ATTEMPT at Stripping Away Health Care Insurance from approx 15 MILLION Americans while at the SAME Time, VOTING to "Allow  & Enable" Suspect "NO Fly" individuals to Purchase GUNz here in America ~

            Your Perverted Republican VALUES at Play once again ~ NOW you know one reason WHY the GOP must be "IGNORED & Bypassed" by OUR President whenever possible in order to get POSITIVE things DONE for "We the People" ~

            1. rhamson profile image70
              rhamsonposted 8 years agoin reply to this

              You always play this boogeyman tack and love to blame others for what is "OUR" fault. "WE" elect these people who brainwash us with this type of dribble while the elitist criminals representing us rule as proxies. They love this as it takes the focus from actually doing something about our problems to allowing them to continue unabated despite the vote. Democrat, Republican, Liberal or Conservative, it makes no difference as both sides are paid off to do as they are told. You are wasting your time with this partisan dribble. Don't feel bad your counterpart is only too happy to accommodate your argument.

        2. profile image0
          Onusonusposted 8 years agoin reply to this

          Well if we look at real facts we find that there are roughly 32'000 gun related deaths in America per year and declining.

          60% are suicides. that's 19,200.
          3% are accidents, that's 960.
          4% are justified, that's 1,280.
          33% are homicides, that's 10,560.
          80% of those homicides are gang related, that's 8,488.

          Which leaves 1,712 in a society of 312 million people. Which makes a 0.00010256410256% chance of death by a gun.
          0.000008564102564% chance if you don't hang out in a hood, are not planning on committing suicide, and are not planning a crime. 

          Sorry to tell you, but the real problem is the Federal government attempting to disarm it's citizenry, and a gaggle of anti-gun idiots trying to push a narrative that is indefensible.
          And yes, guns do make us safe.

          1. Alternative Prime profile image59
            Alternative Primeposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            Well, once again, to reiterate, if you accept irrefutable Mathematical FACTS Combined with "Death & Police Reports", the Factual Conclusion reveals that we are absolutely NOT SAFE, even with OVER 300 Million GUNz now Flooding our Streets ~ I understand CONservative Republicans REJECT Factual Data, but that still dosen't Change things in the REAL World ~ You should try telling the Victims of Sandy Hook that we are SAFE ~

            The question still STANDS ~ With approximately 1/3 of a Billion Firearms Already Outstanding in America, How Many TOTAL GUNz will it take to make us SAFE?

            P.S. Onusonus ~ If taken at Face Value, According to your OWN Stats, ONLY 4% of Gun Crimes are Justified, a ANEMIC Number which simply Proves my Math Based Suggestion that GUNz do NOT Keep us Safe ~

            1. profile image0
              Onusonusposted 8 years agoin reply to this

              Yes we are very safe because we have guns. We are safe from foreign invaders, we are safe from a tyrannical government, and we are safe from murderers.
              As stated before, unless you are planning on taking a trip through the hood, or committing suicide, there is a 0.000008% chance out of 312 million people that you will be shot.

              Your irrational feelings and indefensible logic do not trump my constitutional rights.

              1. Alternative Prime profile image59
                Alternative Primeposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                If your IDEA of Keeping us SAFE from Gun Violence is roughly 32,000 Gun Deaths ANNUALLY as a direct Result of "Flooding our Streets" with GUNz, then More Power to U ~  smile

                P.S. ~ If the BIG Evil Government does indeed send our BIG Evil United States Armed Forces out to "GITcha" for whatever reason, don't U think it might be Prudent & WISE to have a few "F-Whatever Jets n' Armored Tanks" at the ready, not justa Pea-Shooter ? ~

                1. profile image0
                  Onusonusposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  You need some spell check my friend.

                  Most of those deaths are by suicide, so given your way, if we removed guns from the scenario they would still be commuting suicide, just in a different way. And as has been proven in other countries, when you outlaw guns, the crime rate nearly doubles. 

                  Now since you are so concerned with the kill rate, regardless of the reason, why are you not advocating against the use of automobiles? After all, 30,800 vehicular deaths per year is on par with the gun death rate.

                  1. Alternative Prime profile image59
                    Alternative Primeposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                    lol....Here we GO.....You're pretty LATE to the Conversation so I'll just say stick to your Republican "PRETEND-Land" Facts smile

  7. profile image0
    ahorsebackposted 8 years ago

    THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IN AMERICA right now is  a double edged sword  .  One edge is the  political APATHY   of its populace who seeks such a   utopia  in it's  lifestyle  while  at the same time it  lets its government roll over them  creating  another tax, another  revenue source  and higher taxes all the time  .    While at the same time  it  stands by watching silently  as individual liberties disappear !

 
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