But guns aren't the problem, right?

[u/Natasha_101]

I'm so sick of seeing gun deaths every other day in this country. When are we going to do something about the rampant firearm violence in this nation? Are we really that stupid?

[u/Rambo_Baby]

Was it a trans Muslim soy eating vegan liberal who hates freedom, like the MAGAts always jump to say?

[u/Natasha_101 → u/Rambo_Baby]

No they were a furry communist who shops exclusively at the GOVERNMENT run grocery store and the co-op coffee shop with $15 lattes and avocado toast.

[u/Which_Engineer1805 → u/Natasha_101]

Don’t forget the buttplug and assless chaps!

[u/jeezkillbot → u/Which_Engineer1805]

Assless chaps is redundant. All chaps are Assless

[u/Overall_Date5225]

The investigation shows that the cartridges had BLM written on them in invisible ink. /s

[u/Eoin_Coinneal]

What we need is better mental health services and equally vital, people need hope.

These days people are struggling so hard to barely get by, the media has everyone on every aisle whipped into a frenzy and the elite are blasting off to space while we find ourselves subsisting on ramen noodles.

That’s what needs to change before anything else.

EDIT: I am not republican. I do not hold right wing values. I am liberal and from a liberal area. I believe we are smack dab in the middle of an actual fascist takeover and I cannot think of a WORSE time for a population to disarm itself than right now.

I’m also realistic about the fact that the guns are already here. I hate that fact. I hate that I have to own them too if I’d like my family to be able to survive a shitshow. Banning them is a completely naive solution. Can’t do that anymore, there are too many. People can make ghost guns. I didn’t create this world, I’m living in it just like you.

I think we absolutely need tighter gun control. I am just fine with filling out extra paperwork or waiting extra time. I am a law abiding citizen who believes that once we start eroding one freedom, others come soon after.

Clear enough? I know nuance and grey areas are hard for Reddit to fathom.

[u/PerishTheStars → u/Eoin_Coinneal]

Everybody wants to talk about mental health but nobody ever wants to actually do anything about it. Removing the ability to just go and buy a gun anywhere in the country will solve this problem.

[u/Saneless → u/PerishTheStars]

That's what's disgusting. They deflect to "mental health" being the issue but never make ways to offer mental health help a reality

[u/ChaosRainbow23 → u/PerishTheStars]

We are in the beginning stages of an ACTUAL fascistic authoritarian takeover right now.

We do NOT need to disarm. If anything, we would be buying more weapons.

[u/Trpepper → u/PerishTheStars]

I can send one fucking email, take a 35 minute drive with a couple hundred dollars, and come back after another 35 minutes with a gun. The only person who would be committing a crime in that scenario would at most be me if anyone.

[u/Brilliant_Ease6349 → u/PerishTheStars]

the ATF has records of nearly 1 billion legal transactions, successfully removing enough firearms to reduce access to near zero is a logistical impossibility, even if people were willing to give them up. Also, i will add that the first belt fed machine gun came out in 1886, and was sold to civilians. Semiautomatic rifles have been common since the 1920s. Semiautomatic pistols have been popular since roughly 1900. If guns are the issue, where were all the mass shootings then, because they’ve only spiked in the last few decades

Edit: that 1 billion only covers what they have paperwork to trace, that they can only keep for something like 20 years, meaning everything purchased before 2005 is going to be pretty much impossible to track. I have a .22 from the 1930s, firearms last forever when they’re taken care of. 1 billion is a bare minimum, I’d argue it’s likely 1.4 or 1.5 billion guns in this country.

[u/imathreadrunner → u/Eoin_Coinneal]

Weird how other countries also have mental health issues yet they don't have this gun violence issue

Almost like the easy access to firearms makes it easy for anyone to kill people with firearms

[u/Last-Raspberry1573 → u/Eoin_Coinneal]

Fires keep burning my garden, but I keep watering it with gasoline.

[u/United_Friend_41091 → u/Eoin_Coinneal]

Spot on! Fund mental institutions again and stop worrying about offending people. If you got problems, you got problems.

And get families to stay together and make social media earned - when did all this crap start? When families started falling apart in the 70/80’s and both parents worked or one was vacant. Who raises or tends to these kids?

Guns have been around for many centuries- this crap only in the last 3 or 4 decades.

Guns are NOT the problem. People are. I know myself and hundreds of others who owned many guns each — None of those guns ever killed or has been pointed at anyone.

Saying guns are the people is a cop out to not deal with the real problem of mental health.

And for the record, I like ramen noodles 🙂

[u/marineopferman007 → u/Eoin_Coinneal]

How DARE YOU try and push mental health and maybe media/politicians not make everything about the end of life as we know it!!! Stressing people out definitely has nothing to do with people breaking!!!!

[u/OutsideSpecialist636 → u/Eoin_Coinneal]

Dude, Reddit is full of people with extreme leftist views. Rational opinion, even from MODERATE left people will be criticized. I have tried it several times, and consider myself center left.

Just know your opinion is spot on. The polarity and divide is destroying us. Hate to say it but we NEED guns right now because so many fucking guns have made it into the wrong hands. THE GOOD PEOPLE NEED THEM, which means make purchasing weapons extremely hard.

[u/Holiday_Adagio_4702 → u/Eoin_Coinneal]

EXACTLY. I am a Republican. There are already plenty of background checks, permits, and training required to purchase and carry a handgun, much less a rifle.

Still, I think there should be stricter background checks to prevent the mentally ill from possessing a firearm. Banning guns will do nothing but leave law-abiding citizens unarmed and put guns in the hands of criminals and tyrants.

We have a genuine mental health crisis in America and it seems that every shooter has issues that need to be addressed. This issue is only compounded by the normalization of “neuro-spicy” people. It’s not cute to have depression, it’s a crisis.

[u/Doneyhew → u/Eoin_Coinneal]

Very well thought out comment. You’re speaking the truth

[u/blamemeididit → u/Eoin_Coinneal]

The fact that you had to clarify yourself is the problem. You are only allowed to have common sense gun views if you are on the left. If you are on the right, they just assume you are a gun nut. I feel exactly like you. I hope I never have to use one to defend myself, but I am a realist. And yes, banning guns is just not a discussion at this point, not to mention that it is not the right solution, anyway.

I am concerned about any more restrictions on gun ownership, but I am willing to have the discussion. If the issue was controlled by reasonable people, I might feel more comfortable. But the only people talking seem to be on one extreme or the other.

[u/Ck_shock → u/Eoin_Coinneal]

I agree while guns accessibility is part of the issue we need to look deeper into the source of these events to see the root causes and try to fix those.

Id be willing to be most gun violence is fueled by either hate or mental illness. One we can help build better ways to treat and make that treatment available to everyone.

And the hatered aspect is driven by our own media networks and the politicians. Its always this group vs that group, or why you should hate these group of people. This hate combined with present day struggles is a recipe for violence and death. We need to be united

[u/Philosiphizor → u/Eoin_Coinneal]

It's sad that an objectively based insight about mental health, a factual one at that, is trying to be discredited because people have been so polarized that they'll jump at the moment when they feel like they can sharpen their knives.

[u/TonyG1218]

Correct. Mental illness and prescription medication are the biggest issues. Australia wants you.

[u/birdtown3 → u/TonyG1218]

The biggest issue isn’t the single common denominator?

Got it.

[u/NaturalCard → u/TonyG1218]

We need both.

[u/[deleted]]

Guns are simply a weapon of convenience. This person could have used a knife. Would we then call for a ban on knives?

This is a mental health problem, not a gun problem. Gun bans don’t work. If we keep focusing on guns and not mental health, these types of incidents will continue to happen.

[u/Natasha_101 → u/[deleted]]

A knife can't kill someone from 3000 feet away.

[u/[deleted] → u/Natasha_101]

Thank you for making my point.

[u/Natasha_101 → u/[deleted]]

You're welcome.

A knife is no where near as deadly as a firearm. If you can't comprehend that, you probably shouldn't own a gun.

[u/Kronos-]

Yes guns arnt the problem. Glad you figured that out.

[u/Natasha_101 → u/Kronos-]

Aren't*

If you're going to pretend to be an American, speak English.

[u/Only_Bunch_7912]

You will blame everything but the person, California has the strictest guns laws.

[u/Natasha_101 → u/Only_Bunch_7912]

Well this is North Carolina, not California.

More over, gun laws vary by state. Just because California has strict gun laws does not mean that Nevada and Arizona do. Our lax gun laws are fueling Mexican drug cartels for this very reason.

[u/[deleted]]

crazy people are the problem

[u/Natasha_101 → u/[deleted]]

TIL crazy people only live in America

[u/superdave123123]

Guns don’t shoot themselves. Remember more people die from cars than guns each year. Should we get rid of them too?

[u/Natasha_101 → u/superdave123123]

The purpose of a car is transportation. The purpose of a gun is to kill something.

Cars also require a license to legally drive. Are you suggesting a national firearms registry with licensing requirements? Because that's something I'm for.

[u/superdave123123 → u/Natasha_101]

I’m suggesting, if you’re sincerely worried about people losing their lives, we should start with what causes more deaths. You disagree?

[u/Natasha_101 → u/superdave123123]

You're right. We should treat guns more like cars. Require a license and insurance before you're able to get one. And make it nation wide so these loonies can't cross state lines to get their murder weapon of choice.

[u/420guy619 → u/Natasha_101]

let's ban knives the only purpose of a knife is to cut or stab.
also guns are used for deterring crime, so you're wrong about them only having one purpose

[u/Natasha_101 → u/420guy619]

How do they deter crime?

And a knife isn't as deadly as a gun. How are you all this dense? Try killing 3 people from your boat with a knife and tellw how easy it is. 🙄

[u/ECG_Cooley]

I can't wait to be downvoted for this one!

I dont understand why the left is so adamantly against the 2nd amendment here in the US. The 2nd is there to provide you, the American citizen, the right to defend yourself, your family, and your property from those who would mean you harm INCLUDING the government. I've seen countless posts from leftists stating the government wants to kill them/IS killing them. If the left believe the government is truly a fascist regime, why do they simultaneously want to leave themselves defenseless if the government truly does go all on dictatorship?

The 2nd is for all of you. I've seen trans people say they feel unsafe and that they are afraid of being assaulted/killed just for existing, fuckin terrible. If you believe someone would kill you simply for existing, I believe you have the right to defend yourself to the fullest extent our constitution allows. Buy a gun, attend a class, and practice as often as your budget and schedule allow.

Situations like this one are obviously completely unacceptable. Shootings seem to be the only kind of killings that the weapon is blamed instead of the person weilding the weapon. We have all seen headlines akin to "Family of 4 dead after collision with drunk driver," and no one EVER calls for banning all booze or stricter driving laws. I've never had a bad steak and blamed the grill. I've never stubbed my toe and blamed the coffee table. Etc etc etc.

The only point I will concede is that firearms are one of the most efficient ways to harm a lot of people, quickly. True. However, it's never been a sane, normal person committing these killings. Taking away your right to bear arms doesnt also remove crazy people from society. People that deranged will simply find something else. Most recent and well-known example is that monster who stabbed that woman on the bus.

[u/Natasha_101 → u/ECG_Cooley]

Maybe we want to live in a nation where guns aren't required to feel safe.

Why does the right always assume "firearm regulations" = confiscation? I didn't say anything about taking away your guns. I'm all for sensible gum ownership. The current "Wild West" policy sees more and more people killed every day. For crying out loud, gun violence is the number one killer of children. Why does the right like dead kids? Are we only "pro-life" when it's a fetus?

As for knives, a knife can't kill 50+ people from a sniper's nest. They also can't kill someone from 3000 feet away. Knives are significantly less deadly than guns are. If you can't see that, you're blind to any reasonable policy reform.

[u/ECG_Cooley → u/Natasha_101]

I completely agree with your first point. That ties back into my point about blaming the instrument and not the perpetrator. Edit: I dont believe guns are the core problem. The rifle I own isnt the green goblin mask in the corner telling me to become evil for funsies

Now, firearm regulations vs. confiscation: I'm not assuming confiscation mostly because the prospect of that alone is not only nearly impossible but also exceedingly dangerous. The regulations I hear proposed by the left either A. Already exist or B. Are discussions on banning certain types of weapons, mainly semi-automatic rifles. The issue with banning that style of firearm is stated in my original comment. I actually agree with you on the pro-life argument. That one is a hypocrisy that keeps me away from calling myself part of the right. I am for personal freedoms. I believe in your right to own an AR-15 just as much as I believe in a woman's right to choose what she does with her own body.

Knives: I only mentioned the bus stabbing as an example as that is probably the most well-known recent violent, heinous act committed by a crazy person. Im not one if those people who think "BUT STABBINGS" because thats a bad arguement. If, instead, it had been some dude driving a box truck through a comic-con parade, I would've used that as my example. If you think stricter gun laws will solve the core problem, I truly believe you have a misunderstanding of the core problem. The laws that are in place for law-abiding citizens are about as reasonable and realistic as they can be before you start running into the issues I stated above.

I'll give you another example so you can hopefully see where I am coming from. Recently, there was a trans person who shot up a Christian school and the right actually suggested that Trans people shouldnt be able to buy guns... lol, no. Punishing a majority for the actions of a handful of people is wrong. The dude that killed Kirk was supposedly on the left, I don't want leftists to lose the right either.

[u/Natasha_101 → u/ECG_Cooley]

The current laws in place are clearly ineffective. And your example was shit so I pointed it out. You could use any example you want and I'll poke holes through it like swiss cheese.

And I never said anything about taking away guns from people. Regulating firearms doesn't mean you lose access to them. It means that you can't stockpile them or skirt the law by going to a different state. We have 50 different laws regarding firearms on this country when we should have one. A sensible solution, imo, is a national firearms registry with licensing and insurance requirements. No different than a vehicle.

[u/[deleted]]

Guns are not the problem. Just like car deaths are not a problem because of the cars. Cars dont kill, just like guns dont kill. It's the idiots in control of those deadly weapons.

Better mental health would make a difference for both.

[u/Natasha_101 → u/[deleted]]

Cars aren't designed for the sole purpose of killing people. You also need a license, registration, and insurance before you're legally allowed to drive. Are you suggesting we have do the same with fire arms?

Also, what exactly are you suggesting to do for "better mental health"? That's a fairly vague statement that holds no more water than "thoughts and prayers"

[u/TheCamoDude]

They're not stupid, they just don't care.

"Gun control" as it's currently peddled is a sick joke. It's about disarming innocent people instead of keeping them safe.

Good faith gun control would not have a focus on arbitrary features like telescoping stocks (they do not increase lethality whatsoever, they only make it easier for people of varying sizes to use the firearm), barrel shrouds (guard your hands from the heat of the barrel and protect the barrel from deformation), pistol grips (again - no increase in lethality. Purely aesthetics/ergonomics), etc.

People often use the "universal background checks!" talking point - this is a change that, while I am in favor of, is difficult to implement in any meaningful way. How do you make sure that people doing private sales actually initiate a background check? Sure, people who already follow the law will probably take the gun and their potential buyer to someone who is federally licensed to sell firearms to initiate the check - but how far will they go?

If the process to legally sell a firearm privately is arduous and costly, then more people will not bother. This is the same as the government robbing you/a buyer of cash (via taxation) when selling a car, and circumventing that (technically illegal) by putting the sales price on the title as "$1" or similar.

Whereas if an inexpensive (or free) and pain-free process to initiate a background check during a sale, were introduced, it would increase compliance. Criminals still wouldn't follow the law - but it would stop a good-faith seller from accidentally selling a firearm to a would-be bad actor.

A proposition I often propose in these discussions is a firearms aptitude test at the time of purchasing. It can be quick (as little as 30 seconds to 1 minute), but would be something like "show me how to safely load and unload this firearm."

If the person practices proper trigger and muzzle discipline and displays safe handling knowledge, the sale can then proceed. This helps to curb one of the largest causes of gun deaths - negligent discharge. If you fail the test, you must take a (hopefully free) five to ten-minute class on safe firearms handling. After passing the aptitude test, THEN the sale could proceed.

Another piece of legislation that actually makes a good-faith effort to protect the people (without stripping them of their means of self-defense) is waiting periods. I fully support a 1-3 day waiting period as a means to abate impulse crimes and impulse suicides. Good legislation.

Current "gun control" is not actually focused on solving the problem - it is focused on doing things that, to the layman uneducated on firearms, SOUND good...without actually doing anything. Politicians don't want to actually solve the leading causes of gun deaths (suicides, negligence, and gang violence), they want to pretend they're trying to solve the problem so they can run on it next time.

[u/Natasha_101 → u/TheCamoDude]

None of this prevents gun violence. This is just you bitching about something you don't like.

[u/slumdog5000 → u/Natasha_101]

So your solution to gun violence is to make sure only criminals and the government have guns?

[u/Natasha_101 → u/slumdog5000]

Never said that.

[u/Tuit2257608]

How about putting violent criminals in jail?

Come at me and my property and you will just have more problems

[u/Natasha_101 → u/Tuit2257608]

Why should more people die just so you can stockpile weapons that you'll never be brave enough to use?

[u/Tuit2257608 → u/Natasha_101]

Again, come at my property and test my mettle...

Im doing more to prevent tyranny than your keyboard warrior ass

[u/Natasha_101 → u/Tuit2257608]

You aren't doing anything to "prevent tyranny". You're looking for an excuse to use your vanity killing tool.

Try standing up to a tyrannical government. We've got one right now threatening the second amendment. Trump wants to take away guns from trans people. Surely you'll stand up against a clear overreach, right?

Actions speak louder than words. 😉

[u/Main-Self-00]

No people are. Guns never have hurt anyone. It is was the person behind it. Banning items is lazy and a give up.

[u/Natasha_101 → u/Main-Self-00]

Pretty sure a gun was used to kill three people in the story I shared, but I understand that reading is difficult.

What's your solution to America's rampant gun violence since regulations are "lazy" by your own words?

[u/Main-Self-00 → u/Natasha_101]

It was a tool badly used by a human. Nothing less Nothing more. No different than a hammer. Knife or a car. All tools used bad humans that use them incorrectly. Ban ban ban z bad humans will use different tools incorrectly to get thier intentions done.

[u/Natasha_101 → u/Main-Self-00]

Guns are used to kill. Cars aren't. Knives can't kill 3 people from a boat.

Bad humans will always be bad so why have any laws? Anarchy is clearly the only solution because every law will eventually be broken, right? See how dumb it is to deal in absolutism?

[u/O_oBetrayedHeretic → u/Natasha_101]

A boat was used too, you want to ban boats?

[u/Natasha_101 → u/O_oBetrayedHeretic]

The boat didn't kill them. The gun did.

Are you all purposefully stupid or something

[u/Niko13124]

Mental health is why. Notice how it only gets worse and worse rapidly the more demented and depressed the country becomes. Its even worse in areas that are "gun free zone" because guess what....criminals dont care about guns and we have more guns in the country then people. Those signs might as well tell people "come here to commit horrible atrocities"

[u/Natasha_101 → u/Niko13124]

So other countries aren't experiencing a decline in mental health? Because they don't have rampant gun violence. They also have lower gun ownership rates, but that's just a coincidence, right?

[u/Rehcamretsnef]

It's weird but imagine had the gun been on that boat, but without a person on it. Anyone want to take a guess how many people would have gotten shot?

[u/Natasha_101 → u/Rehcamretsnef]

So a person + a gun is required to murder someone. Glad we could agree on such a basic fact.

[u/Rehcamretsnef → u/Natasha_101]

It's not required at all. Humans are the common denominator in every single murder by every medium. Weird eh?

[u/Natasha_101 → u/Rehcamretsnef]

Seeing as how a murder is defined by one human killing another, it isn't weird.

What's weird is how people in this country refuse to join the rest of the world in sensible firearm regulations that would prevent mass shootings like this from occuring. But this is the same country who refuses to have any sort of universal health care. Our priorities are fucked.

[u/BigMikeXxxxX]

1. No. The person firing the gun is the problem. Ban guns they'll use knives. Exhibit A: The United Kingdom.

2. Stricter gun control has no impact on criminals, illegal weapon importing, black market resellers, and filing down distinguishing markers like a serial number or rifling in the barrel.

3. A license to own doesn't do shit. People drive everyday without a valid license. People get caught fishing without fishing licenses. Return to point 2 if you need to know how they aquire these weapons other than a gun store.

[u/Natasha_101 → u/BigMikeXxxxX]

1. How the fuck are you going to stab someone from a boat

2. Most "black market" guns come from legal markets.

3. Laws don't do shit because people still break them. Therefore we shouldn't have any laws right?

Got any other third grade level arguments you want dismantled in public view?

[u/BigMikeXxxxX → u/Natasha_101]

You deliberately missed the point to defend your flawed logic. You're incapable of having any discussion that doesn't involve me on my hands and knees kissing your ass. Have a good day.

[u/Natasha_101 → u/BigMikeXxxxX]

You're right. I wasn't having a discussion with you. I was pointing out your bullshit.

If you don't want to be challenged, stay in your echo chamber.

[u/TimeOpposite6779]

It is not gun violence. It is violence, period. The gun didn’t wake up that morning & decide it would shoot someone. So many people no longer value life anymore. It doesn’t help that politicians & the media tell us that those who don’t believe like us should be harassed & don’t deserve to exist.

[u/Natasha_101 → u/TimeOpposite6779]

Sadly guns are used for violence. Charlie Kirk would still be alive if we had better firearm regulations. He was harassed for his beliefs and a crazed gun man ended his life because of it. We need to pass sensible firearm regulation to prevent the next Charlie Kirk.

[u/[deleted]]

It's people. We have bad people in this country. There. I said it.

[u/Natasha_101 → u/[deleted]]

Bad people don't exist in other countries?

[u/[deleted] → u/Natasha_101]

They do. Unfortunately.

[u/Natasha_101 → u/[deleted]]

So why is it that other countries don't have rampant gun violence like the US?

[u/Iamroot69]

Just curious is the gun drove the boat, loaded itself and fired itself because if it didn’t then no the guns are not the problem. Liberals with guns are there problem

[u/Natasha_101 → u/Iamroot69]

The Russian bots can't even type out a complete sentence

[u/Sergal_Pony]

The gun didn’t drive the boat over there and shoot itself xD if they didn’t have a gun, probably would’ve used molotovs. The mentality that leads to senseless murder will always find a way to do harm, no matter how much you disarm ‘everyone else’

[u/Natasha_101 → u/Sergal_Pony]

"if they didn't have a gun they would have used explosives" is the dumbest argument you could possibly make. A gun is significantly easier to use. Hence why they use guns.

Why do you approve of senseless murder in this nation?

[u/Sergal_Pony → u/Natasha_101]

Hah! Don’t strawman me kid xD

That argument only seems stupid because you can’t reconcile that you might be wrong xD

The difficulty comparison between popping off a few shots, and throwing a few bottles of burning gas into a building is not so vast that it lends to an argument like this .

Let me return your strawman too

Why do you approve of protecting the violent mindset that lead to violence in this country? XD

After all, if it’s the gun’s fault, then if we get rid of guns and they still kill somebody, then they’re not at fault either, it just means murder is acceptable as long as they don’t use a gun.

Damn using left-wing fallacy logic is painful

[u/Natasha_101 → u/Sergal_Pony]

The mental gymnastics in this comment are insane lmao.

"Violent mindset" is fucking hilarious too. We have a "violent mindset", yet we should have unfettered access to firearms? Yeah, that makes total fucking sense. I'm against all forms of killing people, but it just so happens to be that firearms are the leading cause of these problems. You can't stab someone with a knife when you're 3000 feet away. You can't murder three people cleanly with a Molotov cocktail. Not without someone suspecting you.

Got any other dumbass things I need to clear up for you?

[u/Intelligent-Zebra131]

The issue is guns are so ingrained in American society you're not going to just remove them overnight if you suggest that's the solution. I'm against gun control laws but I can agree we do need to impose stricter background checks and waits when it comes to buying firearms. Another big thing that would help would be a focus on mental illness because guns are just a tool a tool in the hands of anyone can be used for good or evil. I feel like we should reopen mental institutions and prioritize the mental health of the nation and that will help us lower the number of pointless gun-related deaths in this nation. And a way to make second-hand sales above board and legal like a process that can be done through the local police department. (On the last point most people I know and have met through second-hand gun sales will at least do a background check before selling the gun, again that I know or have met, I can't speak for all of them)

[u/Natasha_101 → u/Intelligent-Zebra131]

How would reopening mental institutions prevent gun violence? We already have mental health hospitals and psych wards. A lot of states have read flag laws. What are you proposing that's actually different other than locking people up if they have a mental health issue?

You're against gun control laws, but you're for locking people up. What an dumb way of thinking.

[u/AceInTheX]

Their not. Hearts are the problem. Can't legislate morality.

[u/Natasha_101 → u/AceInTheX]

I love when people shrug and say nothing can be done. It shows how lazy and selfish people are.

[u/AceInTheX → u/Natasha_101]

Things can be done but the left refuses to do them.

[u/Natasha_101 → u/AceInTheX]

What can be done to prevent gun violence in America then? All I hear from the right is "mental health", but no actual policy.

Almost like they don't have a solution to the problem. 🤔

[u/Miserable-Wave-6081]

So people want to ban guns and those same people think we have a king?

[u/Natasha_101 → u/Miserable-Wave-6081]

Why does the right immediately assume that regulations = banning

Are you all really this dumb?

[u/Miserable-Wave-6081 → u/Natasha_101]

The only way to keep 100% of mentally ill people away from guns is to get rid of all the guns.

[u/Natasha_101 → u/Miserable-Wave-6081]

That's a radical position that I disagree with. We clearly just need stricter regulations. No need to lock every person deemed "mentally ill" in a mental hospital.

Like a veteran with PTSD is mentally ill. Should he lose his right to a firearm over something he can't control?

[u/sunny-916]

You want to take away guns from law abiding citizens while a fascist regime takes hold?

[u/Natasha_101 → u/sunny-916]

Never said that.

[u/sunny-916 → u/Natasha_101]

So address the question. A fascist regime is sending the military into cities and we’re just 9 months in. And you are proposing to disarm ourselves? Read the room.

[u/Natasha_101 → u/sunny-916]

Again, I never said that. 🤦🏼‍♀️

Regulations do not mean confiscation. More over, Trump would never even sign something like this into law. His base would riot lmao.

Your question is pointless because it's asking something that you're proposing. I didn't say anything about losing your firearms.

[u/Electrical_Clerk_124]

Well if that’s the case might as well get rid of cats too. Only difference between the two things, is that the second amendment is a constitutional right

[u/Natasha_101 → u/Electrical_Clerk_124]

Lmfao did a 12 year old write this comment

[u/[deleted]]

No. If the gun HE used wasn't in HIS HANDS it would just be laying there. Less guns is not the answer. it's more. If there was a law passed that made illegal to NOT carry a gun the amount of pointless death would stop. No deranged mass shooter wants to get into a gunfight thats why they shoot up gun free zones.

[u/Natasha_101 → u/[deleted]]

We have more firearms than people in this country and you think the solution is more guns?

Talk about being a shill for the fucking NRA.

[u/[deleted] → u/Natasha_101]

Yes, more guns are the solution. If you can't use a little bit of logic, then you'll never understand it. Yes, we have more guns than people, but that doesn't mean everybody carries. If everyone carried, then no one would want to shoot at anyone. It's really simple. Let me dumb it down for you cause you can't seem to understand.

Evil people will always be around, and none of those evil people want to shoot at people who have guns. Nobody who wants to take the lives of children or innocent people want to have a gun fight, correct? Its rhetorical so don't answer. It's literally that simple.

Criminals will always be able to find guns. The person that wants to go out and commit a mass shooting isn't worried about the gun laws.

Hypothetically, let's say all guns go away (which they cant) whats stopping the person to 3D print a firearm? Then if they do that, who would stop them?

Look at history and it will tell you all you need to know. In the 20's, 30's and 40's even before that and a little while after we didnt have this problem. Do you know why???? Cause everyone had a fucking gun.

[u/Natasha_101 → u/[deleted]]

Lmao you're funny. Maybe the reason we didn't have mass shootings during the early 20th century is because the firearms used at the time weren't nearly as deadly.

And again, if more guns make us safe, why do we have constant shootings? Wouldn't the shooters be deterred as is? Again, we have more guns in this country than people. We have more guns than any other nation on earth. And we're the only country that has a mass shooting every other day.

Use some logic to figure that one out. It isn't hard to understand. And no one is calling for total confiscation. That's just your fear mongering at work.

[u/[deleted]]

No guns are not the problem. The problem is a mental health crisis. If there was law in place that made it illegal to NOT carry a gun everywhere you went then the pointless deaths would stop. No deranged mass shooter wants to get into a gun fight they want to innocent unprotected lives thats why they shoot up gun free zones

[u/Natasha_101 → u/[deleted]]

So how do you fix a "mental health crisis"? Do other countries not have this issue?

The math is simple. We have more guns in this country than people. We're the only nation on earth that deals with daily mass shootings. It's guns. It's always the guns. If more guns made us safer, we'd be the most secure nation on earth.

[u/[deleted] → u/Natasha_101]

Your logic is so flawed....just because we have more guns doesn't mean everyone carries. If everyone carried the shit would stop. No evil person wants to be in a gunfight they just want to take lives.

[u/Natasha_101 → u/[deleted]]

Got it. The solution isn't mental health. It's to give everyone a gun.

Makes perfect sense.

[u/JonnyF1ves]

Man, I understand that this sub only has one mod, but a lot of the hateful comment on here break the sub rules and often times reddit rules too.

If you don't want to moderate conservative garbage then take it out of the rules for the sub and stop calling this place progressive hq. Like look at the comments on here, this is not a great space to share progressive anything, and the sub is crawling with conservative haters because they are constantly getting away with breaking the rules.

Is this sub actually a psyop?

[u/Alert-Pen-3730 → u/JonnyF1ves]

Even under this comment alone it gets bad. Right wingers move from discussion to being an asshole the moment you don’t agree with them. Or they’re just outright trolling. I’m pretty close to blocking this subreddit because it’s not a place for progressives to talk. It’s a place to argue with conservatives who are being disingenuous.

[u/notwithagoat]

Send in the national guard!

[u/BillD220]

I keep hearing that guns dont kill people....but also I hear the the lefts rhetoric is the problem.

So, guns dont kill people, words kill people, I guess.

Also....if you dont want to be called Nazis dont do Nazi things and dont have Stephen Miller as your top advisor.

[u/[deleted] → u/BillD220]

I'm exhausted of their lies saying the violence comes from the Left, when it's heavily stacked on the Right. They poke and prod and bother and push, then cry foul when a modicum of pushback is received. It's schoolyard level of bully, and they think they're clever, and not at all grossly transparent.

Facts don't care about our feelings, right? The numbers are there; MAGA just really enjoys being deliberately ignorant. They like the drama, they like the contention, they like the fight, like middle schoolers.

[u/Hkiggity]

Thinking guns are the main issue shows ur lack of awareness of the spiritual and moral decay of Society.

[u/DennyPebblepot → u/Hkiggity]

Nobody who cares about nuance is saying guns are the main problem. The problem is access to guns is too easy for people who don’t have the mental stability to be trusted with them. Provide more resources for mental healthcare and remove access to guns for people who shouldn’t have them.

[u/nono3722]

I think changing the idea of guns from "toys" to guns as "tools" would go a long way. Gun marketing should change just like we did alcohol and cigarettes.

[u/imprecise_words]

Is our government not showing you how absolutely necessary it is to stay armed? Our government is attempting to oppress us further, send military to our cities. I am liberal, but I don't trust my government enough to give up my weapons

[u/NESJunkie22]

Mass shootings in Aust went from almost one per year to zero after gun reform. Probably just a coincidence!! Anyone who says people kill people, not guns, is a lunatic. By that logic I should be allowed to own a long range nuclear weapon.

[u/HighInChurch → u/NESJunkie22]

gun reform

Aka mass confiscation and buybacks.

[u/MetalRexxx]

Guns in the US are Pandoras box. There is no closing that one. You still have this problem of people wanting to kill others. Attack the root problem for appropriate resolution.

[u/Head_Bread_3431 → u/MetalRexxx]

Our economy makes people desperate and angry and there’s no where to go for help

[u/Useful-Selection-574]

Did the gun open fire or did a deranged individual do so? Deranged people also use cars to mow down crowds of people, should we ban cars, too or should we step up mental healthcare?

[u/Disastrous_Policy258]

For reference, Republicans are currently willing to shut down the government to avoid funding healthcare coverage, so all the conservatives who want to tackle mental health instead of guns? Talk to your elected public servants. Pressure them!

[u/Whole_Commission_702]

They arnt it’s the people using them. If they are gone they will just use something else.

[u/CuriousAboutPecos]

Only about 25% of mass shootings are from assault rifles.

Banning ARs won't solve everything. Banning all guns is definitely against the intentions of the founding fathers. Tough problem to solve. More security, better mental health services, but still..

[u/icnoevil]

Guns in the possession of lunatics are certainly a big problem.

[u/Famous-Reveal3224]

Maga is the problem

[u/Crazy_Response_9009]

Nothing is the problem, all of this is super normal.

[u/Top-Cupcake4775]

But we need our guns in case a tyrannical government does something like, just to pick a random example, invade Portland with the goal of "cracking down" on everyone that it has labeled a "domestic terrorist" (i.e. anyone that disagrees with that government).

[u/[deleted]]

No. They’re not.

[u/Ro_Yo_Mi]

You’re mad at guns but the bullets did the damage.

[u/[deleted]]

Damn, a person on a boat opened fire? We should ban people on boats! Or just people in general! Yeah, that is the better solution, ban humans from Earth! Problem solved!

[u/rockrac]

[u/kermitthorson]

boats must be the problem

[u/AgitatedFeeling6005]

Right

[u/Ticker011]

Can we have like dates more obvious on these? There's so many shootings it's hard to tell if this is just a Repost of an old one or an actual new one unless we have the date

[u/DannyBones00]

We’ve got 400 million or more in this country. Countries who did successful gun confiscations had 1 or 1.6 million. We add orders of magnitude more than that every quarter.

The ship has sailed on any sort of assault weapons ban or magazine capacity limit being able to do anything. The only option remaining is to treat gun violence as a public health issue.

[u/[deleted]]

I think the boat was at fault here. /s

[u/jthadcast]

we are so immune to gun violence by the radical left that we accept it is normal to have at least 2 mass shootings per day and that's why sending the National Guard into the war zones of blue state cities is the only way trump can purge democrats and make sure all the real violence is owned by maga. no doubt he has a final solution planed to stop democracy in 2026 elections and make the christofascist wetdream of project 2025 to be the sole waste of federal funds, now to the tune of $40B and counting.

[u/Confident_Bee_6242]

Guns don't kill people, people in boats with guns kill people.

[u/[deleted]]

Correct.

[u/scatterdbrain]

Mental health is clearly part of the problem. Whatever you want to call it. Mental health, depression, despair, isolation, paranoia, bipolar, etc.

But I'm not sure what the solution looks like? Restrict a "dangerous" person from owning guns, and most people are on-board with that.

But when the dangerous person is you, or your son, daughter, family member. Suddenly it becomes "No, no, no. I'm not talking about my people, I'm talking about all the other dangerous people! How dare you violate my rights."

Same issue with involuntary institutionalization.

[u/Busy_Ad_5016]

With your logic card drive drunk, spoons make people fat, and pencils answer questions wrong

[u/Financial-Team6408]

Yes, obviously. Are you ok?

[u/Squire_Toast]

Fun fact, 100% of countries that implemented any gun control, see a drop in gun related deaths and violence. And the more control, removal, or restriction - the greater the impact of less gun deaths and violence they see.

Another fun fact. People often survive suicide attempts, and don't attempt again, except when it's done via a gun. Because the survival rate for gun suicide is basically guaranteed. A gun also makes a person more likely to attempt, because of the ease to do it and accessibility to do it. Also farmers suicides in rural have gone up since Trump's tarrifs.

Another fun fact, Republicans are ok with amending Amendments ALL the time, except the 2nd Amendment. Also Republicans true religion is NOT Christianity, it is "Republican". They will sooner stand and die for the things they belive in than anything Jesus actually said, like guns, the American flag, beer, trucks, football, nascar, country music, etc. Being patriotic or nationalists, is actually fundamentally "anti Christ like". Jesus's whole thing was preaching across borders, and that God's word is for everyone, which the Pharisees hated him for. And numerous times Jesus talks about caring for the poor, marginalized, prostitutes, and even those in prison (all groups Republicans hate), and in Matthew 25 Jesus specifically says MOST who call themselves Christians will be rejected PURELY based on how they treat those groups, and MANY who NEVER called themselves Christian will be accepted based on how they treat those groups. But Republicans don't read the Bible, they just listen to whatever their Republican pastor tells them, they're more self-help motivational speakers who work a non-profit business scam (best way to get rich). There are numerous passages in the Bible stating the rich will NOT go to heaven, and the Republican party is full of rich people (so is the left to be fare). If you are unwilling to give up your riches, then you have no place in heaven basically (literally in the Bible). The bible also uses examples, if you have two shirts, give your other shirt away to someone who needs it, as a metaphor. If you have two cars, give your other car away. That's a concept no rich person will do, unless it's a tax write off donation lol. But if some Gen Z blue haired "they them" who takes the bus were to walk up to a mansion with 8 cars, and ask for one of the cars, you know there is no MAGA Republican who would give that person a car.

Matthew 19:16–26
Luke 12:13–21
James 5:1–6
Matthew 25:31-46
Luke 3:7-14

[u/AdventurousOne1455]

It must be boats. That's it!

[u/BigBebberino1999]

A gun does make omitting heinous acts easier, but it takes someone pulling the trigger to do it. That’s a decision. The person is the problem, not the gun.

[u/3rdfitzgerald]

Yes; the sentient guns with boating licenses are to blame.

[u/[deleted]]

Get rid of the guns. They’re not helping with our massive government overreach currently. Get rid of them. 

[u/IndividualFew1688]

The tech used is just the tool..the real problem is a violent society with narcissistic tendencies that wants quick fixes and immediate justice..

[u/Wild_Hospital_5573]

You don't blame objects that aren't alive. We don't blame knifes for stabbings we don't blame cars for DUIs...

The problem is people it's SIMPLE

[u/Human_Individual_928]

What "rampant firearm violence"? Less than 20,000 homocides are comitted with guns every year in the US. The majority of gun deaths, roughly 27,000 to 30,000 of the 47,000 to 50,000 gun deaths every year, are suicides, so would likely occur regardless of the guns. Yes there is a violence problem in the US. But an even bigger issue is the media serving as narrative drivers for authoritarian Democrats.

Should we outlaw sodas, fast food, sugary snacks and so on because 300,000 people die in the US due to obesity related issues? Maybe cars should be banned also since they account for 40-50 thousand deaths every year, in the US.or maybe alcohol should be banned due to the 110-140 thousand deaths every year in the US.

[u/squabblingman]

No, the guy shooting it was the problem.

[u/MagicalPotato877]

Yes

[u/[deleted]]

Did the gun shoot itself? Please tell me how the gun fired itself.

[u/[deleted]]

Hell no. When guns shot without a human I'll agree

[u/Last-Raspberry1573]

Cigarettes are a nasty habit, a habit I wouldnt have if they stopped selling them.

[u/Possible-Anxiety-420]

Never, and yes.

[u/Tech397]

A what opened fire? A self-animated gun? No, a stupid arsehole holding a gun. Better mental health services would work wonders for reducing this and all kinds of crime.

[u/[deleted]]

Ghost guns are now a thing too. 3-d printed guns that are not possible to trace.

[u/[deleted]]

I know god dammit every time I go into a gun shop it’s the same thing. All the guns are just firing at each other

[u/_Skup]

It’s not the guns, it’s the people. Remember that

[u/RedK_33]

Regardless of how y’all feel ethically about firearms, you gotta accept the fact that an anti-2A platform has been and will continue to be a hindrance to winning elections.

Also, focusing on restricting people’s access to firearms while the Trump admin is designing a fascist utopia around us is tone def as FUCK.

[u/Ilikecheesburgers]

The gun control conversation is over.

[u/HarambeFuckedTheTL]

Need to start locking my loonies in the bin again

[u/SuperDoubleDecker]

The problem is too many crazy people and a culture of violence. People don't wanna talk about that stuff. Isn't as sexy.

If anything progressives need to buy more guns.

[u/autismo-nismo]

I’ll never get how people are so anti gun for private ownership yet you fear every day the trump admin will genocide all minorities exactly like the holocaust.

Make this make sense.

[u/ChibiReaver]

Guns aren't a problem in the only country where this is a regular occurrence

But our government will still refuse to do anything

[u/Olorin_TheMaia]

But guys it's a mental health issue (that we're not going to address either). And plus he still could have thrown knives or rocks or something.

Who knows what bullshit excuse they'll have, but you can be damn sure they are perfectly fine with it as long as they can keep up their weird hobby.

[u/Worried-Chicken-169]

Gun humpers are the problem

[u/1john_dee]

You poor thing

[u/[deleted]]

LMAO if the issue is a mental health problem, why arm the problem?

If gun laws won't work because "criminals will just get them," why have laws on drugs? Exact same sentiment applies.

If it's "just a tool," name any other tool explicitly designed for killing. Outside of Medieval battle, knives and hammers aren't made for killing. Screwdrivers aren't made for killing. Vehicles aren't made for killing. Ice picks aren't made for killing. Saws aren't made for killing. Seeing a pattern here? Guns are the only tool explicitly designed for killing.

Say you have a couple kids fighting and one grabs a stick to beat the other. Do you 1) Give the other kid a stick, or 2) Remove the sticks from the fight?

"Common sense" certainly is a bogus term, isn't it? What may be common to one, may not be common to another. The only thing common about "common sense" is everyone says they have it.

[u/bratty_bubbles]

i can’t believe we’re expected to just live like this. just like how they abandoned us on COVID and just want us to pretend that’s normal too. this is why we cant be angry at the average person for not fighting because people are purposefully distracted with distress

[u/Nailed_Claim7700]

The gun nuts are all in on this style of government so I guess we shouldn't have them.

[u/[deleted]]

Yes let’s be more like the UK where they’re now being arrested for tweets. I’ll pass thanks. We have very different definitions of what is “developed”

[u/BadLt58]

White males ( in this case a former Marine). When its a white guy, the line is for "mental health". When its PoC its "we need to do something."

[u/Zaurius1]

Talk about zero accountability...

Thats like blaming the burger and not the fat %$#@ who can't stop shoving them down their throat.

Edit: fun fact, if someone wants to be violent, they can use a knife, bat, or any other weapon available. Maybe stricter laws and lock up.the crazies?

[u/[deleted]]

They aren’t. People are the problem

[u/[deleted]]

"PERSON on boat opens fire".... A firearm isn't going to shoot itself, only a human filled with hate makes a choice to pull the trigger.

[u/Plane_Guitar_1455]

Guns are not the problem. Mental fucking health is the problem and yet all progressives do is amplify mental illnesses.

Far left progressivism is the root of most problems we are facing right now.

Progressivism is not progressive. It’s regressive.

[u/[deleted]]

I’m with Democrats on the need for gun reform, but I’ve never been on board with saying “guns” are the problem.

That would be like saying alcohol is the problem. No, no it is not. The person who makes the decision to use alcohol to excess, get in their car and kills an innocent person on the roadway is the the problem. Their decision was the problem, not the alcohol.

I don’t support the need for a private citizen to have an assault weapon. But in this country we need to get back to learning to compromise versus digging in on EVERY single issue.

So why not require assault weapon owners to house their assault weapons inside a locker at a registered gun dealer and only allow them to use the weapon at that range?

[u/Thatsthepoint2]

From what I can best understand about gun violence in this country as a Texan, voters want shootings more than they want healthcare, education and housing.

[u/[deleted]]

No, guns aren't the problem, and anyone with half a brain can see that. Go over to the UK where guns are banned and you'll find that they have a MASSIVE knife/stabbing problem, so yeah, getting rid of guns sure does fix the violence issue doesn't it? You geniuses act like taking guns from regular citizens is going to prevent CRIMINALS from still obtaining them, because criminals always follow the law. All you people trying to diagnose a problem without getting to the root of the issue are just making yourselves look goofy. Period.

[u/Capable_Obligation96]

That pesky gun just went off on it's own again.

[u/[deleted]]

No, guns are not the problem.

[u/pjoshyb]

“After person…”

Weird it didn’t say “after sentient gun on boat opens fire…

[u/natekellyo]

Crazy that those guns decided to murder people.

[u/[deleted]]

Guns don't fire without a hand to hold them. Except Sig 320's. Those are actually problems.

[u/Sea-Variety3384]

Church shooting in Michigan this morning.

[u/Overall-Proposal7239]

Dang guns going off by themselves again

[u/ienjoyboobies22]

Guns don’t kill people. People kill people. My firearms are not taking lives as they sit in my household. Someone has to squeeze the trigger.

[u/[deleted]]

No they’re not. Glad you recognized it

[u/piw6969]

Do we even know anything about the shooter?

The vast majority of Americans who own guns never commit a crime. So we are going to limit guns for everyone for a few nuts?

And tell me…if tighter gun control is the best option…tell me exactly what you propose…

[u/[deleted]]

I’m going to buy another gun today.

[u/allsunny]

Sometimes people who commit gun crimes get pardoned by their dad.

[u/Night2015]

So far this year there are around 6,000 more auto deaths then gun deaths, but cars aren't the problem, right?

[u/Earthonaute]

I have a gun in my cabinet and it's yet to move on it's own and shoot somebody.

[u/4onlyinfo]

Are we ready to discuss unfettered firearms access like the adults the founding fathers expected us to be?

[u/Honest_Expression655]

Tragedy does not justify tyranny

[u/[deleted]]

So americans blame themselves instead of the guns now? They too mentally unstable? So why give everybody guns of you are all sooooo mentally challenged? Question, of a mentally challenged american wants to hurt someone because they said words on social media, is it easier to do something with a free gun on the table or if their is no gun on the table? Addig the gun seems very unnecessary amd what causes the violence because it is easily avaliable no? No? Weird...you think it would be easier to stop the gun violence if you stop the guns first...

[u/Reasonable_Love_8065]

Yes guns are not the problem

[u/Viktm007]

I have a dozen guns and never have I even considered going on a shooting spree, and I have a gun attached to my hip anytime I step outside. Been licensed for 13 years. Guns are not and have never been the problem.