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pdx97206's comments:
on Cracking Down on Gun Violence
This worked VERY well for Washington DC! Their gun crimes plummeted when they enacted the toughest gun laws in the nation back around 1975. Shootings dropped, drug problems evaporated, and crime virtually disappeared.
Oh wait, that's right, they became the murder capital of the nation. My bad.
We could follow the UK's lead, or Australia's lead, or even Canada's lead, but they also saw spikes in violent crime following extreme gun control laws. Now, after Canada has admitted that their gun crimes in places like Toronto have soared, and the cost of their legislation ballooned from a promised $2 million to $1 billion in 2005, the government is looking at repealing these laws.
But hey, they outlawed guns!!!
posted 2 years, 8 months ago
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on Cracking Down on Gun Violence
I got rid of an old low-interest shotgun that was falling apart at one of these. I couldn't sell it at a gun show for $10. I know this because I tried. I got $50 in video rentals for it.
That's all the good these "buy backs" do. I didn't spot any gang types there turning in their guns and repenting for Blockbuster certificates. Just a lot of older people who were getting rid of their guns. Very sad, since older people are easy targets for criminals. Still, it is their choice. Of course a collector with several gun safes would have been happy to give someone on a fixed income good money for a WWII-era M1 Carbine made by Rockola and worth thousands of dollars. I hope those people enjoyed watching those rented video tapes while eating Hamburger Helper bought with food stamps...
posted 2 years, 8 months ago
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on Cracking Down on Gun Violence
The NRA supported the Righties only because the "Well-Armed Vociferous Lefties" are so few and far between, sadly. We need more of them to even out the playing field and get voices of reason on the Red and Blue sides to find an appropriate color of Purple to paint the gun debate with.
I'm moderate, I shudder at what both sides of the political spectrum do "to protect us," but I do know that shooting fish in a barrel is a LOT harder when the fish are capable of shooting back...
I also probably would have voted for Howard Dean. So there. ;)
posted 2 years, 8 months ago
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on Cracking Down on Gun Violence
Did you know that there was talk about prosecuting Assistant Principal Joel Myrick for using a handgun stored in his vehicle to stop the student shooter in the Pearl, Mississippi school shootings because he violated the Safe Schools gun-free zone law? Fortunately cooler heads prevailed in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Sam Adams has already shown that he will pursue whatever action he thinks is politically expedient for him in the end. If prosecution works for him in the end so that he can show that he is "tough on crime," you bet he'll do it. If the law is there, "I believe" and "I wish" go out the window in the name of making a name for one's self in the political world. All you have to do is watch the news to see this at work on a daily basis.
posted 2 years, 8 months ago
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on Cracking Down on Gun Violence
I agree. The broad-stroke view of Swiss gun control: All males are required to be part of the state militia. They have the third-highest firearms ownership ratio in the world. Every male member of the household is required to have their government-issued fully-automatice rifle and semiautomatic handgun with ammunition in their home, ready to use. After their term of service, the government turns the auto rifle into a semi-auto rifle and sends it back to the former service member, who also keeps his handgun. Government-produced ammunition is sold at-cost. The government encourages and sponsors recreational shooting for both men and women, and hosts an annual shooting competition that sees some 200,000 people attend. The rate of death by criminal gun use approximately one for every 250,000 people annually. New sales of hunting guns are not recorded or tracked by the government. The most commonly owned type of gun is an "assault weapon."
If someone thinks the United States has a "gun problem" and not a behavior problem, one only needs to look at Switzerland.
posted 2 years, 8 months ago
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on Cracking Down on Gun Violence
Do you honestly think a criminal will trade a gun for $100 worth of goods that they know they can steal for free and keep their gun? As for "no questions asked", as many of these "trade ins" advertise, if a gun is used in a murder, and is traded in and destroyed, the police are that much further away from solving the murder. Is that fair to the families of victims? Does that get criminals arrested, or does it simply help them hide their crimes more efficiently, so they can keep on breaking the law with impunity?
WHo are the police REALLY helping with these programs?
posted 2 years, 8 months ago
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on Cracking Down on Gun Violence
I served as jury foreman for Mult. Co. Court's drug cases for a month a few years back. I personally witnessed one prosecuting attorney from the DA's office decide not to pursue gun charges on a suspect for a stolen handgun because she (Brenda was her first name, I believe) just didn't want to go back upstairs to get the paperwork pertaining to it, to share with the grand jury. If Mr. Adams thinks an arrest equals a conviction, he might think again.
If police find a gin laying around in a home when they enter it, and an adult is present, the police only need to ask for consent to look at the gun. This is already covered in Oregon law. They look at the serial number, call the sheriff's office, and run that number. If it comes up stolen, the illegal gun is off the street and the suspect is arrested. IF ADAMS IS TRYING TO TARGET ILLEGAL GUNS, THE LAW ALREADY ALLOWS POLICE TO DO WHAT HE IS TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH!
posted 2 years, 8 months ago
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