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Debate Info

15
18
Guns are worse Drugs are worse
Debate Score:33
Arguments:35
Total Votes:41
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 Guns are worse (15)
 
 Drugs are worse (17)

Debate Creator

Amarel(5669) pic



Given death tolls, why do we argue about gun deaths but not drug deaths?

The gun topic drives political narratives. While drugs kill far more Americans, there isn't a good divisive political narrative to peddle.

Guns are worse

Side Score: 15
VS.

Drugs are worse

Side Score: 18
1 point

Guns are primarily designed to kill.

It's immaterial whether the majority of fatalities caused by firearms are homicides or suicides.

Whilst drugs may be used on occasions to effect suicides their existence and overwhelming application is so junkies can achieve their highs with most users not wishing or meaning to kill themselves, or anyone else.

We're not comparing like with like when we contrast deaths by a lethal weapon and overdosing on narcotics.

I haven't researched the statistics but I'm sure unintentional deaths caused by gluttony, sedentary lifestyles, road accidents, alcohol abuse, smoking tobacco would have as high a death toll as intentional homicides/suicides by firearms.

I repeat, the chief purpose of a firearm is to kill.

Side: Guns are worse
Amarel(5669) Disputed
1 point

We aren't trying to compare like with like. I am demonstrating that all the talk about guns is under the pretext of minimizing or reducing impact. If that wasn't a false pretense, we would hear more about those things that have a greater impact, as drugs do by a long shot.

Side: Drugs are worse
Norwich(1576) Disputed
1 point

Well, we are misleadingly comparing like with like.

We can't ban the sale of food, prohibit the use of automobiles, ban the legal sale of tobacco products or legislate for compulsory regular keep-fit sessions but we can outlaw the sale of guns without the in-depth profiling of potential buyers and the strict issuing of firearm licences.

This would be a start on the road to significantly reducing the ridiculously high number of lethal weapons in circulation.

No problem can be even addressed never mind redressed if we refuse to recognize that a problem exists.

Side: Guns are worse
Amarel(5669) Clarified
1 point

The chief purpose of a firearm is to kill. No doubt. That alone isn't an argument one way or the other

Side: Guns are worse
0 points

Given death tolls, why do we argue about gun deaths but not drug deaths?

Did you ever consider it might be because drug users take drugs of their own free will, whereas gunshot victims don't usually volunteer to get sprayed with bullets? The mass shooters on the news every day aren't bursting into classrooms forcing kids to smoke marijuana.

I mean, why stop there? Some people die from choking on chicken bones, so therefore everybody should have the means to murder half a city block tucked into their waistband, yes?

Stupid.

Side: Guns are worse
Amarel(5669) Disputed
0 points

Did you ever consider it might be because drug users take drugs of their own free will, whereas gunshot victims don't usually volunteer to get sprayed with bullets?

Lol you're incorrect. The majority of gun deaths are from suicide. Even including suicide, drug deaths are double gun deaths. And including suicide is what disingenuous talking heads always do when discussing gun violence.

Side: Drugs are worse
TheJuice(17) Disputed
1 point

Lol you're incorrect. The majority of gun deaths are from suicide

Firstly, I'm not incorrect. You're assuming the United States is the only country in the world, which is a common problem among Americans. Other countries see far more gun homicides than gun suicides.

Secondly, drug users take drugs to have a good time, not to kill themselves. Death is a by-product of drug use, not a first cause.

Thirdly, your post is a raging tu quoque fallacy, otherwise known as "whataboutism". It essentially suggests that, if gun deaths are bad, drug deaths are therefore good. Drugs and guns are two completely independent problems which you are trying to insincerely paste together for the purpose of creating a fallacious line of argument.

Side: Guns are worse
0 points

Guns are used far more then drugs these days, especially by gangs who want a score to settle with one another. Drug trades are far less then black marketing weapons. It is for the sole reason for gangs to "make a point" and to "protect" those in their territory while extorting money to buy more drugs and weapons overall. Guns kill people instantly usually and are more fatal. Drugs slow down death and is more of a peaceful end if overdosed. But abuse on both issues? It's real. Cops have to deal with it every day almost. Probably more in America then in Canada.

Side: Guns are worse
TheJuice(17) Disputed
1 point

Drug trades are far less then black marketing weapons.

Do us all a favour please and stop pulling make-believe facts out of your ass.

According to UNODC, the illicit drug trade in the US is worth up to $143 billion per annum

https://www.saferworld.org.uk/downloads/ pubdocs/issue-brief---the-illicit-drugs-trade.pdf

Scholars estimate illegal arms transactions amount to over US$1 billion annually

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arms_trafficking

The entire global illegal arms trade is worth a drop in the ocean compared to the illegal drug trade in the US alone.

Side: Drugs are worse
Dr_Batman(1523) Disputed
1 point

Further more, to lecture you on your ignorance towards gun violence, I have 100�tter arguments and evidence to present that guns are worse. While drugs are no better. You do realize that both gun violence and drugs are the top two sources of death right? Oh wait, you don't. Therefore, you just got wrecked. Do it again and I will destroy you by the truth and only the truth snowflake.

Supporting Evidence: Gun violence and Drug Overdose; Two of America's fatal methods towards death (injepijournal.biomedcentral.com)
Side: Guns are worse
Dr_Batman(1523) Disputed
0 points

Do me a favor and shrug off or I will lecture you further on why guns are worse. Your arguments are invalidated.

Wikipedia isn't a reliable source. Funny how you shifted positions when I was supporting the same side as you were on. But it turns out, you contradict yourself just like every snowflake I have encountered. You are weak compared to me on this site.

Side: Guns are worse
Amarel(5669) Disputed
0 points

There's no basis for the claim that illegal gun use is greater than illegal drug use. Perhaps gun use in general is greater than illegal drug use, but legal gun use isn't the issue.

I don't think the father of the dead college kid is reassured by the notion that their kid's death was peaceful.

Side: Drugs are worse
Dr_Batman(1523) Disputed
1 point

There is no basis that drugs are worse than guns. However, alot of crime rates are committed by those who have guns. Your arguments are invalidated, ineffective and stupid. Gang violence exists and because you deny it, that makes you an invalidated retard. Cry me a river and get over it.

Side: Guns are worse
Dr_Batman(1523) Disputed
1 point

There is a relationship between drug abuse and gun violence. Due to the use and the abuse of drugs, gangs take out guns and shoot each other. This article that I will post will support that both are bad, however, I will still say, guns are worse as it does the most instant damage of killing Americans all around of all ages from teens to adults. It's no surprise that both do not mix well but are co-used anyways.

Supporting Evidence: The relationship between drugs and gun violence (www.addictioncenter.com)
Side: Guns are worse
1 point

I genuinely believe that the "gun death rate" is useless propogandistic bullshit and that society benefits from civilian ownership of firearms, but y'all cunts are making me think that we need to boost the numbers. Vote for a giant fucking meteor this November.

Side: Drugs are worse
Amarel(5669) Clarified
1 point

What do you recommend? Mandatory ownership? Maybe a program to help poor people purchase one?

Side: Guns are worse
1 point

Reinforce PLCAA, abolish the BATFE, 1934 NFA, & 1968 GCA, and have the NRA transition to giving out free one-way tickets to North Korea for literally anyone who wants to live in a country without privately owned firearms. Generally deregulate the industry so that the cost savings on firearm production is passed on to the consumer.

Side: Drugs are worse