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Ted Cruz

7 (6.5%)

Rick Santorum

16 (14.8%)

Michelle Bachmann

13 (12%)

Chris Christie

23 (21.3%)

Rand Paul

49 (45.4%)

Total Members Voted: 107

[misko27]

Oh well, now would be a perfect time to say NY-D Senator Schumer has jumped on this already.

And, the man has a point. Untraceable unlimited None-metal-detector-setting-off guns does not sound fun.

*Flame-Proof Asbestos Suit donned*

Alright, thoughts?

[RedKing]

In tangentially related news, the NC Legislature is set to approve a bill that would expand concealed-carry rights to bars, sporting events, greenways, bike trails, and university campuses. It would also prevent cities and towns from prohibiting weapons from city parks.

....I may have to get a gun just so I'm not the only motherfucker in town who isn't packing heat. 


I hate to say it, but imma laugh my ass off the first time there's a shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway between rival NASCAR fans. Because sports + alcohol + guns = EPIC FAIL waiting to happen.

[Descan]

What the hell is America's obsession with guns, anyway?

Is it ENTIRELY related to the second amendment, or what?

I mean I want a gun, but only for hunting, and bolt-action. M14. I don't feel the need to have fifty bazillion guns strapped to my dick or something...

[Zangi]

What the hell is America's obsession with guns, anyway?

Is it ENTIRELY related to the second amendment, or what?

I mean I want a gun, but only for hunting, and bolt-action. M14. I don't feel the need to have fifty bazillion guns strapped to my dick or something...

Lack of proper edumacation and respect for guns?  Might be, kids learn and think 'guns are cool' from media, but they are not supposed to touch/handle guns themselves...

[Mech#4]

What the hell is America's obsession with guns, anyway?

Is it ENTIRELY related to the second amendment, or what?

I mean I want a gun, but only for hunting, and bolt-action. M14. I don't feel the need to have fifty bazillion guns strapped to my dick or something...

As someone outside of America I usually assume it's based of a degree of paranoia. Namely that since people have guns, others feel they need them to protect themselves. Of course, I realise that wouldn't be the only reason.

[RedKing]

It's part of the national mythology as well -- that the country was a wild frontier which was steadily tamed with shovel, Bible and gun.

In that sense, it's as American to own a gun as it is British to be polite or Canadian to be humble.

[Descan]

That might go towards explaining why guns are all important -now- but it doesn't explain where the obsession -originated- in. Why do people have guns in the first place to cause others to need it? Where were the gun-nuts coming from before the media became a part of every day life?

Edit: Redking, I guess.

Though it's Canadians who are polite and British who are humble. And snobby. Somehow. At the same time.

And Canadians are humble too.

GET YOUR STEREOTYPES STRAIGHT.

[Nadaka]

There is no one answer.

America won its independence by force of arms.

America has spent >75% of its history as a frontier nation where hunting is a vital way of life.

Our constitution protects the right to bear arms.

When you need something to protect your life and your family in the next few seconds, the police are minutes away (or hours in some cases).

[Mech#4]

I guess it might come from (as Redking said) the history of America. A lot of the iconic moments I can think of about American history are about conflict. The Mafia during the prohibition, wild west cowboys, World War 2, revolting against British Empire and protecting against Native Americans, hunting, Confederacy tiffs. ::Shrugs:: I've got a rather limited knowledge of American history.

[Morrigi]

Indeed, America does have a history of creating, expanding, and defending itself through force of arms and the 2nd Amendment was also placed in the Constitution as the ultimate, last-ditch defense against a tyrannical government. It is essentially a defensive provision to ensure that the people have a chance if they choose armed rebellion.

In addition, it can be reasonably argued that the reason for the recent mass shootings in this country is not the availability of firearms(in fact, they are far less available today then they were 50 years ago when you could mail-order a rifle or pick up a revolver from a hardware store), but through societal decay brought on by a number of factors.

[Descan]

I... don't actually think society is decaying.

Well, American society, maybe. But... On the whole? I think it's getting better.

[Morrigi]

I was talking about American society. Our news media routinely blows mass killings out of proportion, effectively making the killer a celebrity. In addition, young children spending all their time playing violent video games instead of interacting with people can, in my opinion, reduce their respect for life in general.

I would like to clarify that I have no problem with violent video games, only young children playing them. And anyway, wouldn't it be nice if those 12-year-olds just went away when you were trying to play?

[Nadaka]

I was talking about American society. Our news media routinely blows mass killings out of proportion, effectively making the killer a celebrity. In addition, young children spending all their time playing violent video games instead of interacting with people can, in my opinion, reduce their respect for life in general.

I would like to clarify that I have no problem with violent video games, only young children playing them. And anyway, wouldn't it be nice if those 12-year-olds just went away when you were trying to play?

And yet, since the introduction of violent video games, the actual crime rate in America has been falling steadily. The average American is safer from violence now than in the 1950's.

[RedKing]

Indeed, America does have a history of creating, expanding, and defending itself through force of arms and the 2nd Amendment was also placed in the Constitution as the ultimate, last-ditch defense against a tyrannical government. It is essentially a defensive provision to ensure that the people have a chance if they choose armed rebellion.

In addition, it can be reasonably argued that the reason for the recent mass shootings in this country is not the availability of firearms(in fact, they are far less available today then they were 50 years ago when you could mail-order a rifle or pick up a revolver from a hardware store), but through societal decay brought on by a number of factors.

Ah yes, the whole "danged kids these days" argument. Which ignores the fact that we've had random people snap and start shooting innocent bystanders for a long time. Like, since before the colonies stopped being colonies. Difference is that Ye Olde Nutcafe was armed with a flintlock single-shot weapon which was horribly inaccurate, not a semi-automatic with a 30-shot banana clip and a laser sight.

[Descan]

That isn't to say there is a causation. Could be something entirely different causing lowered crime-rate.

My personal theory is that the crime-rate has actually been steady, but all the crime is happening in jails. It's not reported in the same way as extra-penal crime is, so crime looks like it's been going down.

I could be entirely wrong, of course.