I get questions from Quora. The questions are from the ignorant, the curious, and trolls. The first two warrant a thoughtful response.
This response from one of the other respondents is pretty good to what on the face of it looked like a reasonable question.
It's a great start, but I'm sure we can improve upon it.
This response from one of the other respondents is pretty good to what on the face of it looked like a reasonable question.
It's a great start, but I'm sure we can improve upon it.
What is the central issue in the gun control debate?
If we’re being honest?
Sheer and unadulterated ignorance.
Let’s go over how guns like the AR-15 are described and I’ll make corrections as we go along. I promise I’m less condescending with people who want to learn the basics of firearms before they advocate policy.
However, compared to the majority of other rifle calibers, it’s very much on the lower end. This is a handy chart comparing .223 next some popular hunting calibers. If you’re a gun control advocate who “grew up around guns” your daddy’s bolt action was likely chambered in either .270 or 30–06.
As you can see, there’s a bit of a………..difference in size. And certainly a difference in power. As a matter of fact, many states legally require you to use a larger caliber for hunting deer. Several others place it as the bare minimum legally allowed caliber.
A Ruger 10/22, a semi automatic .22 rifle and probably the most common .22 in the nation.
One shot per trigger pull. That’s it.
Although certainly less powerful, it won’t shoot noticeably faster or slower than an AR-15. Or at least the majority of people aren’t going to be able to pull the trigger fast enough to notice.
Foregrips?
Useful for fully automatic fire, but really just down to personal preference for an AR-15. Before anyone brings up “followup shots”, keep in mind that most 3-gun competitors don’t use them.
Adjustable stocks?
Honestly I’ve never gotten a decent answer on why those are bad. All it does is change length to be more comfortable for the shooter. At it’s shortest length, it still has to meet the minimum required overall length for a rifle.
Bayonets?
Now we’re just getting silly. Bayonets have been completely obsolete likely before anyone reading this was even born. And as far as I know, I don’t believe any mass shooter has ever had, much less used, a bayonet.
The point of this answer is to say that the debate around guns would be a lot more meaningful if gun control advocates would at least take the time to learn the basics on guns before they advocate for laws regarding them.
To give you an idea of what it’s like for gun owners, imagine your grandparent trying to tell you what kinds of computers should be banned to stop hackers.
If we’re being honest?
Sheer and unadulterated ignorance.
Let’s go over how guns like the AR-15 are described and I’ll make corrections as we go along. I promise I’m less condescending with people who want to learn the basics of firearms before they advocate policy.
- High powered
However, compared to the majority of other rifle calibers, it’s very much on the lower end. This is a handy chart comparing .223 next some popular hunting calibers. If you’re a gun control advocate who “grew up around guns” your daddy’s bolt action was likely chambered in either .270 or 30–06.
As you can see, there’s a bit of a………..difference in size. And certainly a difference in power. As a matter of fact, many states legally require you to use a larger caliber for hunting deer. Several others place it as the bare minimum legally allowed caliber.
- Rapid fire
A Ruger 10/22, a semi automatic .22 rifle and probably the most common .22 in the nation.
One shot per trigger pull. That’s it.
Although certainly less powerful, it won’t shoot noticeably faster or slower than an AR-15. Or at least the majority of people aren’t going to be able to pull the trigger fast enough to notice.
- Customizations
Foregrips?
Useful for fully automatic fire, but really just down to personal preference for an AR-15. Before anyone brings up “followup shots”, keep in mind that most 3-gun competitors don’t use them.
Adjustable stocks?
Honestly I’ve never gotten a decent answer on why those are bad. All it does is change length to be more comfortable for the shooter. At it’s shortest length, it still has to meet the minimum required overall length for a rifle.
Bayonets?
Now we’re just getting silly. Bayonets have been completely obsolete likely before anyone reading this was even born. And as far as I know, I don’t believe any mass shooter has ever had, much less used, a bayonet.
The point of this answer is to say that the debate around guns would be a lot more meaningful if gun control advocates would at least take the time to learn the basics on guns before they advocate for laws regarding them.
To give you an idea of what it’s like for gun owners, imagine your grandparent trying to tell you what kinds of computers should be banned to stop hackers.
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