Man arrested for 2x4 labeled "High Powered Rifle"

Man arrested for 2x4 labeled "High Powered Rifle"

A lot of recent research points to social inequality being the overriding factor in crime rates. This book review touches on some of these points: http://m.guardian.co.uk/books/2005/jul/30/highereducation.news1

I don't have much hope for research ever outweighing libertarian idealism (which, in theory, I feel is both noble and beautiful) in the US however. Not to mention how that idealism appears often to be used to protect the wealth of the powerful, not increase opportunity for the have-nots.
 
Man arrested for 2x4 labeled "High Powered Rifle"

On the other hand, guns are also the most effective force equalizer for women who are being physically abused. Incidents like this one, where a mother used a firearm to protect herself and her two kids from an attack by her estranged ex-boyfriend, barely even make the local news, not to mention the national, yet they need to be remembered when we talk about the purpose of firearms in society.

http://www.abilenepolice.org/documents/press_releases/Minda_Shooting_Press_Release.pdf
 
Man arrested for 2x4 labeled "High Powered Rifle"

Just to be clear, while I'm a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, I'm also a fan of progressive tax policies and strong social safety nets--much stronger than what we currently have here in the US. Don't assume that because I support Second Amendment rights that I don't also support Obamacare and well-funded schools.
 
Man arrested for 2x4 labeled "High Powered Rifle"

There's no question that suicide attempts are more likely to "succeed" if the individual uses as handgun as opposed to a knife or OD attempt. However, if you're worried about preventing successful suicides, you probably shouldn't be focusing your energies on tactical semi-automatic rifles and large-capacity magazines. I hate to be trite, but there it is.

Suicide is a complex problem, and I really don't think the most effective way to address it is to ban an instrumentality that just so happens to be effective for suicide regardless of its other uses.

Anecdotally speaking, I don't know anyone who has committed suicide, but I have two friends-of-friends who did. One via drug overdose, one via hanging. Addressing suicide through mental health treatment helps EVERYONE who is suicidal. Addressing suicide through banning one particular mechanism used to commit suicide is the ultimate societal band-aid.
 
Man arrested for 2x4 labeled "High Powered Rifle"

Well that's the difficulty isn't it? The 2nd Amendment issue is primarily a Republican defended position, but there are enough Democrats who hold the same position to make it impossible to get anything done even when the Democrats have control of Congress.
 
Man arrested for 2x4 labeled "High Powered Rifle"

I wasn't assuming that, but I can understand why you felt the need to make that clear.

I don't presume that every pro-gun person is a regurgitating conduit for Fox "News".

For the record, I'm not here to argue. You've made some good and considered posts that I have learned from.

If the people of America want guns, that's their business. I am, however, interested in the political and sociological arguments and research.

I completely agree that it is something that cannot be boiled down to an all-or-nothing partisan argument.
 
Man arrested for 2x4 labeled "High Powered Rifle"

Politics has long been lacking additional axes.

Left/right is a childishly simplistic and largely arbitrary scale.

Edit: too late with the "quote" button!
 
Man arrested for 2x4 labeled "High Powered Rifle"

I would characterize my politics as "compassionate and charitable yet staunchly protective." Which, for the record, is also one hell of a profile for online dating websites.
 
Man arrested for 2x4 labeled "High Powered Rifle"

Assemblyman Jim Tedisco Stands Up for Our Second Amendment Rights - YouTube
 
Man arrested for 2x4 labeled "High Powered Rifle"

Mod Hat On...

Folks can you please remember that we ask that if you post a video, you make the effort to write a few lines about what it contains and why you are posting it. Thank you!

Please refer to the following Sticky for more information:

http://www.ihav.net/forums/showthread.php?t=109351
 
Man arrested for 2x4 labeled "High Powered Rifle"

Sorry about that, I thought that the quote from HH's post would be reference enough. He wanted to know what NYers thought about the legislation being passed, and since Assymbly Member Jim Tedisco is from NY...well, he said it better than I could've. Anyway my apologies I won't let it happen again.
 
Man arrested for 2x4 labeled "High Powered Rifle"

Well said that man.


I am fortunate or unfortunate enough, depends on how you want to look at it, to be involved frequently with people who are experiencing suicidal feelings and intent. I can't see taking away such things as having much of an impact beyond those who possibly haven't thought it through, after all the quick nature of the weapon doesn't really give you much chance to have second thoughts does it.

People who really want to kill themselves generally seem to be trying to escape servere emotional and psychological distress , a deep seated psychache. If one way isn't an option then another is going to be found as long as it gives them that relief.

I might do some digging and see what's what with regard to firearms and suicide.
 
Man arrested for 2x4 labeled "High Powered Rifle"

Some people only find professional help once in hospital from a failed suicide attempt.

I'm not saying it's a reason to ban guns in the US, just that I'm glad that the people I've known who have survived suicide attempts did not choose more effective, and final, means. That's all.

I would be interested in any stats you find Dean.
 
Man arrested for 2x4 labeled "High Powered Rifle"

A complete list of Obama's 23 executive actions are here:

http://apps.washingtonpost.com/g/documents/politics/white-house-gun-violence-reduction-executive-actions/248/

None deal with banning particular types of hardware. I actually don't have a problem with any of them. Not one out of the 23.
 
Man arrested for 2x4 labeled "High Powered Rifle"

Re: suicides

Instead of reducing availability of guns to suicidal people would it not make more sense to give increased awareness, education and intervention. Options for parents, friends, relatives and the suicidal persons themselves?

Recognizing the signs and dealing with them is far more crucial than making it harder for them to kill themselves

The same logic can be applied to the mentally ill
 
Man arrested for 2x4 labeled "High Powered Rifle"

Absolutely, but funding only seems to go down these days... unless the spending involves wars or nuclear submarines
 
Man arrested for 2x4 labeled "High Powered Rifle"

Oh I agree its idealistic - but again it's the philosophical difference between a fence at the top of a cliff or an ambulance at the bottom

Coupled with increased ownership responsibility and who knows?
 
Man arrested for 2x4 labeled "High Powered Rifle"

Well, my Facebook as been lighting up with complaints about taxes being raised and people "missing" money from their paychecks. Maybe we can start decreasing our national debt a little now and between a combination of getting out of Afghanistan and closing or reducing some other useless stuff we can actually get moving towards getting some funding in some needed areas? Probably not though because evil Obamacare is going to leech anything extra and then some

As far as what the Whitehouse put out on gun control issues, I don't really take issue with any of it. It has some things I don't think are really relevant, but nothing I have a problem with.
 
Man arrested for 2x4 labeled "High Powered Rifle"

Again, in principle I'm in complete agreement. It is perhaps my greatest wish that one day humans need no governance (love under will and all that ;-) ).

But without wanting to sound conspiratorial, we live in a culture of perpetual children, chasing the wild goose of prescribed opportunity in an unsustainable system.

Until we educate people to manage their psyche and give them the tools to truly be responsible for themselves, I'm not so hopeful.

Free will is a hard won skill, and one that atrophies quickly if not practiced. The current trends of governance in the West are reducing the opportunities for us to practice autonomy, and I can't see any benefit to those with the power to influence government in changing this state of affairs.

By the way, I believe that a dedication to MA practice can help to develop a host of attributes associated with self-determination and self-control. Which is why I disagree with your assertions that MA has nothing to do with enlightenment.

(posted in reply to Hannibal, but got took my sweet time about it and Ero-sennin got in before me)
 
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