Should those with no knowledge about firearms have a voice about weapons in Amer

1. 77

   Jack Burtonposted 11 years ago

   Should those with no knowledge about firearms have a voice about weapons in American society?
   
   I know nothing at all about knitting, fishing, auto repair or piano playing, and wouldn't dream of telling those who do how to best manage that part of their lives or how they may interact in society. Yet, those who know nothing about guns, and are not even sure which end the bullet comes from, demand that their views on firearms be put into law and forced on everyone  else.
   
   We generally don't give the mentally incapable, the very young, or the Alzheimer patient credibility on issues where they are clearly unable to distinguish basic concepts. Why should those ignorant of firearms get any?
   
   

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2. 55

   Alberic Oposted 11 years ago

   That's a good question. Some people who are anti-gun have seen their loved ones shot by firearms, so I can understand the trauma that goes with it. Seeing someone shot or stabbed is not pretty. Though I am more pro gun, I do respect their opinion and what they have experienced. In their eyes and in the eyes of many people, people possessing weapons may and can have an impact on society as a whole- whether that's good or bad is clearly the debate in gun control. Some of the technical aspects of firearms do come into play when it comes to writing the correct laws but again, most people talk about the social impacts of firearms in gun control. This is why people write about gun control despite not knowing a thing about firearms other than what a gun looks like.

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3. 79

   junksellerposted 11 years ago

   Of course they should. It's a complex broad issue that requires all kinds of input. When we build roads or bridges we don't hire car mechanics to do it, we hire civil engineers and transportation planners who might not know anything about cars.
   
   Similarly, the issue of guns requires input from the criminology and sociology fields. While these people may not know much of anything about guns, they will have valuable information about crime and about neighborhood dynamics that are critical elements of the discussion. That doesn't mean firearms experts shouldn't be a part of the discussion, but I sure as heck wouldn't want the entire debate handed over to the NRA.
   
   Aside from any of that, it isn't like there are any knowledge requirements for participating in any part of our democracy. For better or worse, the votes of the ignorant and the informed count the same.

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4. 91

   Sherry Hewinsposted 11 years ago

   That would make more sense if knitting needles were commonly used to kill people. I don't think it's necessary to know how to use a gun to have a valid opinion about them. Not everyone who is not knowledgeable about guns wants to outlaw them. Plenty of people believe in the right to bear arms who've never touched a gun. Just how much knowledge do you think someone should have to vote on this issue? I've shot a few guns, even owned one (a gift from my husband). I've also been on the wrong end a couple of times (the end the bullets come out of), so am I qualified?

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5. 48

   millermargaret34posted 9 years ago

   Yes. Even those who do not know anything about firearms should have a voice about weapons in America. That is their right as citizens of the country. After all they will be affected by an law concerning firearms even if they know nothing about firearms.
   
   Educating oneself is very important.
   
   - http://www.dougsgunstore.com/classes/

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