I don't agree entirely with this, but automatic and semi automatic weapons should be banned. Gun don't kill people, people do is a valid statement, but a homicidal person with a semi automatic weapon can kill a whole lot more people before being controlled than if they had a knife. As for non-automatic weapons, they should require a license.

guns aren't needed on the daily by people outside of the armed forces so i really don't see a need for us carrying guns. it only leads to violence and gangbanging anyways...

besides, i remember reading once that in the countries that had banned guns and an over 90% less deaths to weaponry than in the u.s. now THAT says something.

yea, but only if you'd kill someone with it.

it's a good decoration item!

Absolutely they should be banned. There are almost no cases where an innocent person has defended themselves with a gun. And sure guns don't kill people, but the death rate would definately go down if people did not have easy access to weapons. I mean look at the VT incident. A college kid, with a clearly bad background record, managed to buy guns and ammo. We outlaw gun's and stuff like that does not happen

yes because some people in America cannot be trusted with one i understand that if its for your protection then yeah go ahead and have one but I'm just saying most crimes happen with handguns.

i do not think all guns should be banned, but certainly some. if your a hunter and you want to kill a deer, then go and by a rifle, but do you really need an AK-47 to kill a little deer? and if your buying a gun for protection, then that is just stupid. there are plenty of things you can do before resorting to a gun for protection. get a guard dog, buy an alarm, or move near a place with a lower crime rate. you could also buy a taser or pepper spray.

The second amendment wasnt for people to start killing each other, it was for the creation of the militia. Guns in America, are supposed to keep this world a better place, however, it doesnt do that at all, it only allows criminals to commit crimes. It definetly doesnt protect anyone from anything, it only harms the people of this country. And yea, I get that many people save themselves from the criminals that break into their house or try to rape them, but half the time thats not the case.

Yes of course!!Guns might hurt people or even kill people!The point is:u cannot control the ones actually have guns!They will hurt people when they want!!They will use their guns!!If u don't ban it,what is the use of police??They trained to be strong and catch the thieves...Now,all Americans got guns..Even police cannot stop them from stealing..(because they got guns either)...So how can we let the Americans hurt people by using guns again and again?

everybody is talking about how the government is going to take over, and guns will be the only way to protect ourselves. it sounds like some bad movie premise. how has the government taken over exactly, and what is so bad if it did? i mean isn't a nation supposed to be run by a government? if we were under the control of a tyrant, then i could understand, but we live in a democracy. we choose our leaders, and can impeach them if we do not like them. it is not a perfect system i know, but it ensures that no person can take control of our country. even if somebody did, then do you really think a gun is going to be you saving grace? if there was a so called tyrant, then he probably has taken over the militia, and do you think that you would win against a trained solider who probably has better weapons.

And Virginia Tech was not an "incident," it was a massacre. If all the students had also had guns then there is no way that asshole could have killed as many innocent people as he did. My condolensces to the families of the victims.

If all the students also had guns, there'd be massacres on a regular basis.

Guns don't kill people, people do, but people with plastic butter knives kill far fewer people than people with guns.

gun's are baaaaaad crack. they should so be banned, too many young people can access them too easily! BAN NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

both guns and knives kill people, but guns are way more effective at doing so, that's why we send soilders over seas with guns and not knives, and that is why guns should be banned because they are too effective as weapons

all guns are used for is killing, they are weapons. that is why we should outlaw them, because all they are made to do is kill. sure you can kill with other things, but most homicide weapons are guns.

guns are made to kill, if not then can you tell me how they can be used without shooting at somthing?

Guns should be far more restricted than they are now. We have far higher murder rates than almost any other first-world country. Yes, it's important to protect 2nd amendment rights. But they should not be unrestricted.

In Arizona, the Republican led state legislature has become enamored with a law allowing concealed weapons on every university campus in the state - the schools cannot ban them. What's worse, they originally wanted to extend that to the public school system!

I have a number of friends who are good, honorable gun owners. I know they are very responsible with their weapons.

I also have a friend who is border-line mentally disabled, and was given a concealed weapons permit. Once, I took him to the local convenience store to buy him a Coke. When we returned, there was a guy walking toward the house, with the intention of stealing his bike. "Oh no! I've got my .45 there!"

This nitwit left a loaded .45 in a bike bag, and parked the bike in the driveway unlocked - instead of leaving it inside the fenced yard, which was guarded by a Rottweiler and a German Shepard! Never mind the fact that had he said something, of course he could have put the freaking thing in the locked house!

He's a security guard, and a few months later he decided to take the gun to work. Never mind that he's only licensed as an unarmed guard. It's against the law for him to have a gun with him. Never mind that the company he worked for didn't have a license for him to have it, either. So what does he do? Of course! He left the same loaded .45 in his LUNCH BOX, unguarded on his desk at work, where it was stolen!

I have two huge problems with both these situations:

1. I completely object to being forcibly made part of a gun battle between someone like this and a shooter. I know this guy, and he's more likely to have the gun taken from him and used against him or someone like me, than he ever would be to defend anyone.

2. People like this unwittingly supply the black market to street thugs at discount prices no less.

His right to a gun has to be weighed against my right to be secured from his negligence.

Don't involve me in a fantasy some people seem to have that this is the wild west and every theater and fast food place is the OK Corral.

Responsible gun ownership, please?!

Most objects have the potential to be a threat. A knife sitting on a kitchen table may be harmless but in the hands of a thief it can be deadly. Guns have more potential to be dangerous than knives but simply being dangerous is not grounds for banning an object.

Well you guys have answered the question already danielcraig and ta9798. A totally sensible approach with the only, somewhat irrational argument for retaining your weapons to defend against the Government! Sorry THEDert, but hardly likely or relevant, at least we hope! Lets face it, history dictates we are hardly a nice race are we? We use any excuse to batter the living daylights out of each other; race, religion, fun, etc. To think how much more advanced we'd be if we didn't constantly flatten everything we've spent time and money building and spent those resources on developing our society. But hey, it'll never happen. It's a sad world we live in where certain life forms find it necessary to fly planes into buildings. Disarming the terminally insane would be a good start, but who's to judge who're the insane?!

Guns should be banned everywhere.

Yes guns should be banned in America. In the UK, deaths by guns are a lot lower. The reason is that it's still harder for the average man in the street to obtain a gun. The American Constitution states "The right to bear arms" and the Americans seem to feel really strongly about protecting this right. Obviosly the constitution is held in high esteem to the Americans, based on their history and pride of independence. However you can't hold onto values and laws that have lost their importance or value. At the time of the American Declaration of Independance, which, I imagine would have led to the drawing up of the rules in the constitution, life and times were completely different. Shootings and murder were everywhere, and if I was George Washington writing a proclamation for a new world, then it makes perfect sense to give the citizens of this new world, the right to defend their land, property, and life. And for this reasons Americans have guns. But, if you can't get hold of one, you can't kill someone with it. It's a simple argument really, guns kill.

Guns should be banned and there will be extremely low cases of gun related murder.

If guns over the world is banned, we will get world peace for a while.

any of u frix ever heard of the black market??? sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesh!

itz gud 4 everybody cuz it helps u alot on eveyry problem u gt no matter wat

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i don't think we should ban all guns, but certainly some. if you want to hunt, then go ahead a buy a hunting rifle, but what if the purpose of a gun other then that. getting one for protection is stupid since there are many other options you have before resorting to a gun for protection. think about getting an alarm, moving to a low crime area, or buying a guard dog. i think guns such as AK-47's are overkill and should be banned. do you really need a machine gun to kill a little deer?

Guns are an awful thing. This world would be SO much better without them.

Yes because not only can people kill others they can kill themselves

People KILL each OTHER!! THEY COULD BE USED TO KILL OR ASSANATE THE PRES

However, Japan has an extremely peaceful society (except for the Yakuza), and they have a ban on most forms of weaponry.

Son of a BITCH you suv vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv efrhbrhejfbhfr dhbfrbdbfdmbddjnd dnjdbnedsjndbndf

lol . .

Guns should be banned because all it would cause is more crime rates in America and yes i know even if guns get banned people would still find a way to get but at least there won't be so much crime going as it would be if it gets banned

they are killing people. BAN THEM NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

of course they kill people. bloody yanks. why is the combined iq of your population 4

Look at murder suicide rates other places. It is a no brainer...

In England, people have realized that guns just create more violence and therefore, they have banned them. And it did them good. The US's murder rate is 15 times higher of that in England. (That's a lot!!!) Most murders involve guns. The most common argument against banning guns is that people should be able to defend themselves. But most likely they would be defending themselves against guns. But if you got rid of guns, you wouldn't be needing to really defend yourself. Yes people can get get killed other ways too, but guns are the most common way, and guns only are really used for violence. It takes a lot of rage, strength and energy to stab someone, but it only takes a twitch of a finger to shoot someone. GUNS SHOULD BE BANNED!!!!

Guns should be banned because although most of the time they don't do anybody real harm the police pose a threat and if they miss they could hit anyone.

Surely, even if somebody has robbed a sweet shop or something similar to that they should not be shot. That is a unnecessary.

Although bearing arms is a right in America according to the constitution, it should still be illegal! the U.S. constitution is broken beyond repair! Guns are becoming more easier to purchase and people are becoming more insane.humans are killing more innocent people everyday! the only proper way to stop this epidemic would be to ban guns from all local citizens and only give guns to military or law enforcement!

What I do not understand is why the winning argument for this is 'no, guns don't kill people', when clearly they are a weapon used for harming or killing. There is no way a sane person can honestly say guns are good and the fact they exist is a great way to improve our planet!'

Guns are bad, they kill. However I realise that if there were a serious offence and someone attacked the police with a gun things could turn bad quickly. Which is why I have tagged this as 'Keep the Guns, Change the System'. Perhaps they should change the law and copy the English where the police have guns in serious conditions but usually they leave them alone.

Any arguments?

Any arguments?

have any of you actually SEEN Bowling for Columbine???????

Every year 30,000 people die of gun shots in America, and still there are many states that don’t keep guns illegal. There are people who are afraid to get shot when they travel there; this is a sad fact. I argue that guns should be illegal for many reasons. First of all, guns give a better chance for criminals to commit crimes; knowing that with knives they don’t stand a chance. Second, there is a greater percentage, by data, that people are more harmed with guns rather than protected. Gunshot incidents in school make it all the more clearer that kids can unintentionally shoot. Finally, if guns are illegal than it will be harder to get buy a gun and therefore less people will be murdered.

accidents caused by contingent actions

people suffering from mental illness and minor may use a gun in wrong ways

I say that guns should be banned because they are killing thousands of people each week

Okay i wish there was both sides because to be honest i am doing a project on this and i really wanna do both sides. we should banned guns because in the year of 2012 and of course 2011 there have been many killings, deaths, and shoot outs. shoot outs at SCHOOL! Come on and im pretty sure there will be many more that's sad and crazy. anyways, there's been kids dying from guns that either accidently went off or one is shooting one another. its not so much their fault for having the gun its for the people who sells CHILDREN Guns illegaly and i doubt they wont stop because to them that's like their salary, the money that pays bills. not to long ago a little girl in 3rd grade (i think, but she was young) got shoot by a little boy because he had a gun in his bag and it accidently went off when he set his bag down. kids my age dies like everyday that's scary. and there's people that will shoot someone for no reason.

this is the part that is confusing but makes sence why i agree to having guns but also shouldn't. people say we should have guns because i can keep my children safe. i can protect myself from people that is robbing me. like for real that's good reasons but you can also kill someone just trying to protect yourself. (i hate death if you cant tell) so when the police ask you what happen you'll just say i killed someone because they were robbing me. like they already got their consequence because you killed them, so what about your consequence you just killed someone! that's murder! either if it was an accident, trying to defend your self doesnt matter i think you should at least get consequences (they prob. do but i just dont know). like if someone was beating you up and you fight back you will get in trouble for fighting back. so why is it different from shooting someone and killing them. Hope you liked i kind of went off track(: but yeah.

By: Porshe' Sturgis 14years old. March.19.2012

guns should be banned everyone who is saying no is an idiot

The argument "no, guns don't kill people" is ridiculous. Everyone has seen a shooting movie where someone ends up dead via gun. The reason people go to war with guns is because they kill people.

guns should be banned because kids can get killed and there is shootings in the sua almost every week get a life and stop guns

please stop guns in the usa help others and help the poor

You are absolutely wrong about the second amendment being put in place to prevent a British invasion or coup. It was put in place partially to allow the creation of militias. You're also wrong about guns making crime rates go higher, take a look at Switzerland. Men there are required to own automatic weapons and yet they have next to no crime rate. Their lack of a standing army is what was originally for seen for the United States, or a system similar. A small standing army to form the core of a greater force in times of war. That is what the second amendment implies.

Obviously you know little about guns, a shotgun is probably one of the least threatening weapons to people. Their limited range for their weight and length makes them impractical for crime, but perfect for the defense of ones home.

The guns aren't the problem its people and don't start blaming poverty, or education. Just because you're poor doesn't mean that you have to kill someone to improve your life. There are many ways to do that. So long as guns exist people will always find a way to acquire them. By reducing the number of honest, law abiding citizens with the capability to protect themselves from these criminals you're asking for a breakdown of order.

But I diverge from the topic at hand. Point is only an idiot points a gun anywhere near a person they don't want to kill. There's no such thing as a gun related accident, gun related deaths almost always are caused by carelessness or stupidity or both.

The british aren't going to invade, so we don't need to protect ourselves". So when an american enters you're home with intent to kill, are you going to defend yourself with a fork? I do agree that most burglary's that occur do not involve a murder or serious injury, but not all home invasion's are with the intent to remove your property. If I we're in the position to put my life on the line, or lose a television, I would rather lose the television. The question is whether this person is here to steal my property or harm me or my family. I would rather have the means to protect myself and my family. If we lived in a perfect world where we didn't have Poverty, Drugs and Poor Education, then maybe I could see youre point. The fact of the matter is we don't. When America gets to the point where I can go to sleep at night, or even go about my daily business and not worry, then I'll consider getting rid of my gun. Until then, we live in a dangerous world where people live outside the law and I feel safe knowing theres an amendment granting me the right to defend myself.

Switzerland has a gun death rate of 6 in 100,00. America has a gun death rate of just over 10 in 100,000. England outlawed all handguns and has a 0.6 per 100,000 gun death rate. [1] The facts are pretty clear that in countries where guns are allowed, more people are shot and killed.

In 1999, there were 28,874 gun-related deaths in the United States - over 80 deaths every day. In 1999, 58% of all gun deaths were suicides, and 38% were homicides. Of all suicides, 57% occurred by firearm. In 2000, 75,685 people (27/100,000) suffered non-fatal firearm gunshot injuries.

What, exactly, is the point of guns? The fact of the matter is that America has a culture where guns are OK, and the only thing that is ever going to do is mean a great increase in gun crime. Guns are pointless in this day and age.

Bad people use guns to kill good people! So yes, guns should be banned in america!

To argue one side or the other, in terms in single events, is silly. The argument is death, because of the nature of a gun. Rarely is it so one sided. Why do people fixate on one topic? To focus on one issue as the core is illogical.

1) First note, yes, guns can kill people, but ultimately people kill people. Basic logic. This is an argument of purpose and existence. Just because something exists doesn't mean it has purpose, and if an object has purpose it has existence. What is the purpose of the firearm? Many. Yes, killing is one of them, but there are so many others (for example, the enjoyment of shooting large pumpkins...and yes, I do). Equally so, I could argue that as a human, you were created to breed and kill on the whole in order to survive as the fittest, but modern theories and cognition seem to provide a greater degree of purpose to humanity. Of course, most of it is BS.

2) Equating lower crime rates due to the ban of guns is absurd. Japan has a peaceful society because after World War 2, and as terms of their surrender, many impositions were put on them. As such, the country turned inward and began the foundation of modern Japan. Make no mistake, guns or not, the Japanese were not exactly the epitome of peace up until recent times. The idea of self is not priority to the Japanese. Subsequently, this level of stress in Japan has given them the highest suicide rate in the world. Death by gun? probably not. Death by , sure! Key topic here, death.

The UK with it's gun ban has seen a healthy increase in knife violence. From what I also read, gun crimes actually went up as well (yes, the nasty black market). But if you look at most statistics, the majority of these crimes are concentrated in heavily populated areas (this seems to corroborate with worldwide trends.). See my argument #1...people kill people, especially when you cram them in a small, stinky space. Human nature. Take away one thing, we'll either find it another way or find a substitute.

3) The Constitution. The right to bear arms has been beaten to death. The 2nd amendment was created in order to have a readily available militia, amongst a other minor things. Home defense? sure, why not. The gun nuts (and I do own guns) tend to use this as a giant hammer, crying to the call of freedom. Ridiculous. Get over it. It's ok to say "I shoot guns because it's fun and makes me happy". No shame in that.

The ultimate issue is a Pandoras box, which actually applies to all kinds of ideas and objects. An idea or object is released to the world, and we want to tuck it away never to be seen again. This is setting everyone up for failure. Conceptually, it's like making a statement to a group of people, then retracting it...not exactly the solution.

Guns should be legal, but reform should take place. Emphasis higher education as a requirement (as in mandatory classes), mandatory firing instruction (as in, mandatory classes), and mandatory testing of such (book and field) before you can purchase a firearm. Education people, that is the key to anything.

Will this solve the occasional gun crazies out there? no. But if you are spending your time worrying about the typical Columbine or Virginia Tech stories, get over it. You're more likely to die from a car collision than getting shot.

Yes, I'll hear "You say that because it didn't happen to you", or "your wasn't shot at the grocery store". You are correct, and it's a luxury I have. It's called objectivity.

Guns should be banned because they are not needed in any domestic issue. The second ammendment was put in place because of fear that the british might invade america again or take control of the government. if this were the case the people would need weapons to defend themselves and regain america. The british aren't going to invade so we don't need to protect our selves. even in the this day and age america remains increadible safe compared to many other nations. we have no close enemies. if a major army were to attack us a few men with pistols or shotguns wouldn't do much against a soldier with an ak47 or tanks or bombers.

Guns in America just make it easier for crimes to be committed. Some guns should never be considered allowed and this includes all semi automatic weapons as well as shotguns.

Poverty, drugs, and lack of education are the reasons people turn to guns to kill. guns give you power to take life and should not be allowed to float around so that our students or citizens can use them against one another.

Guns may not kill people on their own but they greatly facilitate the killing of people and their sole purpose unlike most knives and axes is to kill. if we are allowed to carry a tool which sole purpose is to kill then purposely or accidentally we will harm or kill someone and that risk can't be allowed to exist.

There are essentially two arguments for the ownership of/legality of guns in American (outside of the second amendment).

1) Protection - The argument suggests that guns protect us from dangerous individuals. The problem is that WE ARE the dangerous individuals. From accidents, to insanity, to alcohol or drug-fueled violence, we are the ones doing this damage. The best mode of protection is the removal of firearms from society.

2) Entertainment/sport - Shooting is fun. I love it. Skeet, target, and hunting are fun pastimes. I was trained as a boy to properly care for, handle, and shoot a fire arm. I was 10 years old when I shot my first .22 and I was hooked. I would love to pass these skills onto my son, but not at the cost of so much death and destruction caused by the improper use of guns. I would rather pass on a safer society.

I've heard all of the arguments and both sides are certainly passionate about their beliefs. Here are some of my rebuttals to common counter-arguments.

Guns don't kill people, people kill people: absolutely true, but guns allow people to kill people with greater efficiency, which is not necessarily a good thing outside of the battlefield.

If guns are outlawed, only outlaws would have guns: Actually, not true. Outlaws and law enforcement would have guns.

Criminals will find ways to get guns: True, but the supply will be much lower the demand much higher, thus making it more expensive, thus more difficult, to get a gun.

good god bible bashes. READ THE DAM THING.if u use a gun u are a sinner according to that thing bound in black next to your computer.

look at Europe as u have always done and see the light. Gun crime although it dose exist, is Minuit in comparisons with the USA which is out of control on GUNS.

Guns don't kill people they just provide the means to do so. in a cowardly way. in Uk cities u at least have a chance against your opponent when they have a knife...

OK someone brakes into your house, they have a Gun

u have a gun.

u both shoot each other and die. take guns of the street and then there is no need in guns. :O shock. ect scenario flawed. i admit it but still GUNS ARE NOT GOOD THINGS DUMMIES

Yes, guns should be banned.

Guns provide a trigger for any violent activity in the society, like the Virginia University incident.

In our normal life, we have a bad notion for a particular person and wish to kill him if he comes forward some day. This happens with EVERYONE. He might be our naughty neighbour or prankster classmate. We often say " I will rip him into pieces if he argues again, some day". Presence of guns around us just provide an acceleration to this kind of a thinking and encourages us to act upon him and kill that person. So, guns should be banned forever.

Of course guns kill people, but that doesn't mean that they should be banned. Knives kill people, cars kill people, Big Macs kill people, but should they be banned as well?

First of all, it would be impossible to ban guns and expect that they would all be taken off the street. They are too prolific in America now and there's no turning back.

Second, guns serve a great purpose in many cases, people just need to be educated on proper gun safety. Additionally, we should do more to ensure the people who are getting guns are capable of handling them and are not likely to go kill someone with it.

I thought that this was pertinent and rather interesting. I thought I'd submit it to see if it got any reaction.

“The Beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try and take it.” Thomas Jefferson

THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO

THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION

The right to keep and bear arms.

I, for one, am happy to know that I live in a democratic nation that has a fail safe built into it. If it were to fail, be over run by a tyrant or whatever the case, if it were to fail, I would have a fighting chance, and so would my peers.

I think disturbing the constitution is a bad idea, especially when we're talking about something like the 2nd amendment. If you touch the constitution, and at the same time, strip the people of it's property, and the property of which could help protect them in dire situations, you're going to have a reason to amend the constitution again because there will be a revolt. You know what I mean? You are changing the game, and then you are making it to where it's harder to keep fair if they wanted to change it again, and on top of all of that, it's not a belief that's being taken from them, like the belief of freedom, it's a material possession that has the power to defend itself, while in the right hands.

Tobacco, which I am all too familiar with, was responsible for 18.1% of deaths in the U.S. in year 2000. 435,000 deaths in 2000 compared to firearm related deaths at 29,573 in 2001.

Look at the difference there! 405,427 more people died by smoking than being shot...

What do cigarettes do to protect the citizens from each other or the government? I would have to say, only calm one down a little for a short amount of time and make their fight weaker and more difficult to endure.

If we're going to do anything concerning the second amendment, it should be to teach gun safety in classes as a sort of D.A.R.E. like program. Just because we teach people about drugs doesn't mean they'll seek them out, this should be the same with firearms.

I do think that we need to keep guns off of the streets, but this isn't a gun issue, it's a fairly complex societal issue.

If you look at history, the first thing empire's do to have total control is to disarm it's citizens.

Guns don't kill people, poeple kill people. The vast majority of people who commit gun crimes obtain their wepons illegally in the first place, so if guns are taken from the law abideing citizens, you'll have a situation where the outlaws will have guns and the sane people who should be allowed to have guns will be defenseless. also it shifts the balance of power in favor of the politicians instead of the citizenry. It's just one more step towards tyranny. This country started by shooting the poeple who tried to supress us. We can't allow our government to become the very thing we killed to escape from in the first place. Do you really want the politicians to have complete control of you lives?

Outlaw guns, then only outlaws will have guns.

Not too long ago I would have, without hesitation said yes. But given the drift in this country to more and more centralization of power in the presidency I am not so sure. I wonder about forces such as Blackwater; is this destined to be a private force of the executive?

What if McCain is elected? He believes in 'winning the war' on terrorism. I believe he will naturally seek to exert increased control over security to the detriment of constitutional safeguards of liberty.

It may take ordinary citizens, armed, to ultimately defend our Constitution. Our Founding Fathers fought against linger odds.

It reminds of something I once read --- what if every Jew in Hitler's Germany killed one SS troop as he came to arrest him? The number of Jews vastly outnumbered the German SS.

Freedom was won with guns...

A militia of citizens with guns will be our last line of defense in the case of a government or military coup. Properly trained and licensed civilian gun owners can protect themselves and their neighbors in the case of enemy invasion, robberies, and other crimes. Banning guns in the U.S. would be a huge mistake, plus it would piss off all the gun owners who use their weapons for hunting and sport. Additionally, it would create a huge black market for illegal (all) guns.

Greater control, yes. Banning, no.

Gun control laws simply don't work. Just look at the violent crime rates of areas with strict gun control laws, such as Washington D.C. and the U.K. (both of which have gun bans). Then compare it to areas with less gun control laws, such as Texas and Arizona (where concealed carry permits are fairly easy to obtain). The difference is huge because criminals are far less likely to commit a crime if they think that the victim could be armed.

Their was also a study (I don't have the link handy) that showed that the majority of violent crimes involving guns, the gun that was used by the criminal was obtained illegally. That's what criminals do, they break the law. If someone is really going to commit a crime with a gun, then why would they choose to obey any gun control laws?

I believe that Thomas Jefferson said it best when he said, "Laws that forbid the carrying of arms . . . disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes . . . Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man."

we need guns!! how else are we gonna shoot people that dont agree with us!!

Guns don't kill people, people kill people.

Except, of course, when a snake squeezes the trigger.

Two Societies of 200 random individuals, one with guns and one with no guns. The answer is obvious, a society without guns has less opportunity, risk and danger than a society with guns.

In a worldwide population of billions, many would have lived if opportunities to kill with guns had never arisen.

Plain and Simple. Gun laws do not work places with strict guns laws are some of the most dangerous places in the nation and places like parts of Texas where guns are required are the safest. Yes I think parent should lock up there guns so children cannot get them. no one want to see a child killed but banning guns is really a bad Idea it's not good here and has been bad in the UK.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/301881_gunrebut01.html

Any one that says guns should be Banned in the USA of needs to move out of the USA. This is America, stop walking around with your tails between your legs and start acting like an american. Guns dont kill ppl , ppl kill ppl.

NEXT!

I've been on both sides of this argument and I can certainly sympathize with the respective positions.

I've always found it interesting that liberal argument on gun control is seen to be derived from a presupposition that individuals cannot act responsibly with the possession of firearms while at the same time assuming that collective bodies of individuals (such as our federal government) can be or is a organization that will responsibly conduct legislation and execute public policy and laws to the betterment of the public good.

On the other side, the conservative argument proceeds from both the standpoint that the individual can act responsibly with a firearm and/or (agreeing somewhat with the liberal basis) does not want to be found without a firearm in the company of irresponsible individuals who are carrying guns. It is also interesting that the former basis for the conservative argument assumes that the right to bare arms is the responsible individuals right to protect themselves against a hypothetical attack or control of an irresponsible collective body of individuals (a empire or dictatorship or oppressive government.)

To a certain extent, you have to identify the motive driving your position, whether it be fear of our government or trust in our government, and determine the extent to which that motive might be hindering your ability to critically evaluate the opposing argument fairly in light of your own.

Personally, I don't think banning the purchase and use of firearms in the United States will do anything to lessen the crime rates in our country. As has been stated already in this forum, the gun market will continue regardless of federal policy. Also, we've nurtured a culture of hopelessness and violence in our country that (while it may not be root cause of the problem) has certainly not helped the conditions that drive a person to resort to violent recourse to deal or cope with certain circumstances where better opportunities, financial security, or a better education might help them to make more responsible decisions.

I realize that I'm being horribly idealistic here (as I'm often accused of being) but I feel that a better public education system, a more dynamic economy, and a more promising future for the people of our country will do much more than taking the guns out of all the sock drawers in the U. S. of A.

And, the argument that it works in Britain fails to address the geographical size difference between North America and the British Isles, the demographic diversity, the population counts, and the cultural conflicts that distinguish the two nations.

Tighter restrictions on gun purchases and ownership are definitely necessary. A ban is not.

Not to change subject but to show a comparison

lets ban large Vehicle's Truck's Cars Pickups and anything that has a engine larger than a single cylinder and go's faster than 5 miles per hour because they kill people more so than guns. but that is a infringement on my liberty what liberty the pursuit of life,liberty,and the pursuit of happiness. that don't matter people are to careless to drive such a large and fast vehicle. and criminals use them to get away and to kill people with it and kids can get in them and go joy riding and hurt a lot of people. under age kids don't have a license to drive them and some adults don't either and still they drive even if it is against the law and some parents let there kids drive anyway to go to the store or what ever the law has gotten more strict but it still go's on and so dose drunk driven and a lot of other thing like drugs,theft,prostitution,gambling and so on and i don't see stopping people having Weapons or anything Elise it will just make thing worse not better responsibility and accountability is the next best thing. anything that was tried to stop has just got Worse I'm not saying make it legal for like drugs or anything like that but something ain't working right. Even when the gun law was in affect the bad guys still get there Han's on them just a few years ago in California the cops had a shoot out and the bad guy's had Band full auto weapons and bullet proof vest the cop's were out Gunned and out matched so if you want to ban all weapons because of safety then you might as well ban all things that are not safe. we all take life in our on hands when we drive a car ride a four wheeler motorcycle flying in plane's water skying boating rock climbing hiking anything any where any time you just don't know your no safer with out them thats for sure and i believe that if I'm responsible enough to fight for our country then i have the right to have any firearm i want. just as you have the right to any Vehicle or anything like that as long as your responsible for your actions and safety of all around you. now if you want to go jump off a crane with a rubber band tied to your foot thats on you or skydive motor cross and so on. I try not to tell other people how to live and i expected the same. but to tell me i don't have the right to have a weapon that is controlling my life and other's that believe in the right to have them that are law abiding people. and as i said i served my country as a lot of others here did and continue to do for you and every one here in the U.S.A.

P.S this is not directed toured any one

Person or Person's here or anywhere on this forum its just my opinion about banning or gun control if a person wants to harm you and there is no weapons to steal or bye on the black market he will make it. and a good Example is a water pipe shot gun or other type's of ballistic weapon if you don't think so look it up and there's a whole lot more things that can be made to kill with if they want what you have. look on you tube for home made weapons and explosive and you will see how easy it is to do. so just banning weapons won't work if your a bad guy. Think about it and a lot of the thing are common things you can get every day at the hardware store and store's off the shelf. and a lot of the people on you tube that are doing it is kid's the one's that get hurt the most because lack of guidance from adults and no supervision. and its Because the ban of explosives and homemade firearms. to them its illegal and exciting and dangerous.well i said about all I'm going to say.

This is to all that believes in God i hope he will bless all of you and your's may he bring peace in your hart's and keep you well. And to those who don't i still wish you well be good and safe in what ever you do in life.

Guns should be banned everywhere except America.

Guns dont kill people, people kill people. People sometimes kill other people innocently a lower percentage of the time but yes it is there. It is called self defense. If someone breaks into your house and you shoot and kill that man is that a bad thing? Also if it is not guns then it will be homemade bombs or just kitchen knives. It would be almost impossible to ban just like the alchohol ban the US gov tried. It wont work in the southern states I gurantee it. Most of the 16 year olds and higher that I KNOW own a gun . at least 25% of them. Which means that they are already toting illegaly so if they are already how is the gov gonna enforce it if they are already having KIDS slip under the radar?

You can kill someone with a car, should cars be banned in america?

No they shouldn't. If you take away the civilian's only right to self defense, how are they suppose to defend themselves from the criminals who buy weapons and drugs from the black market illegally. If you think homicide rates are high now, if gun control becomes active, that will sky rocket.

No, firearms are simply made available for self-defense, the percentage of people that use them for other purposes is a very small one. Except in L.A. hehe

For all of you who want guns to be illegal ask your self this what will our army do without guns. Oh I know they will spit at eachother. Its funny how quick people are to say lets make guns illegal because their bad are they really that bad last time i checked it takes two hands a finger and a willing PERSON to use it. Just like how ignorant people say pit bulls are a deadly dog and should all be extermanated well so are bear and lions and tigers. Its not the animal that was trained to kill people. People train dogs to kill People. Now if this were a math equation People added to Killing equalls People Killing People hence the saying guns dont kill people, people kill people. Tell me Im wrong and ill call you and idot there is no argument for that statement none. Ignorance is what makes stupid and somtimes i see too much of it. California is the best place for it.

Banning guns will not make gun-related deaths decline substantially. The majority of gun buyers are law-abiding people who keep the guns for self defense. Guns used in street crimes, especially from gangs, are typically illegal. If guns are banned, the illegal street guns will still be circulated, but the innocent people will not be able to obtain a gun for self-defense.

Guns save lives! If we were to ban guns the only people that will have guns are the people we were trying to take them away from. People already are able to get guns illegally and will continue to if they are banned. I will always feel safer with a gun knowing that criminals can get guns illegally.

Guns kill peope; just like spoons made Rosie O'Donnel fat.

One of the many reasons those men signed the Declaration of Independence.

Guns don't kill people. People kill people. Guns assist people.

Way more people are killed each year by car crashes than by gun violence. Should we ban cars too?

Way more people are killed each year by car crashes than by gun violence. Should we ban cars too?

guns dont kill people, people kill people, from a gunsdont kill people i do corperation

we would gain nothing from banning guns in america. guns are dangerous when people illegally use them why would we ban guns in america? to stop the violence and all the killings linked to them correct? and if killing people is already illegal what good is it going to do to make guns illegal. If you are willing to kill some one you probably don't care what you are killing then with is legal or not. The only people banning guns in america would hurt are the people that are defending there homes, business's, families. Since guns are already a lucrative black market making them illegal would make it worst. just like banning alcohol did to this nation. look how much money that made the mob it brought them into power. what do you guys think a black market surplus do?

I believe that a ban on firearms in America will result in widespread protests and riots, the gun market will continue, people will no longer feel secure, and an ineffective and possible corrupt system will be created that will only cause America even more suffering.

I also believe that anyone who says any type of regulation on firearms is against the 2nd Amendment is quite honestly ignorant of the world we live in now. Even greater regulation than is currently seen is needed on the buying and selling of firearms. I mean really let's be serious here, guns do kill people. But they also protect people. Regulation is needed to ensure that guns begin to do the latter in greater degrees.

All we need is good gun control. And by "good gun control" I mean two hands on the gun ;)