New gun control needed: All adults required to carry in public

rajb123 said:

The situation in Colorado is sad, unfortunate and unnecessary.

The coverage by the media, in particular on CNN, who have interviewed several persons in the movie house that night, is horrible. They did not ask the obvious question;

...."weren't you wishing that one or more persons, or you yourself were carrying a concealed handgun so that this terror attack could be stopped before so many people were killed and injured by this crazed gunman"

...anyway, the obvious solution is for more people (e.g., the good guys) to be encouraged or required to carry guns in public...

We shouild also seek a uniform federal law on "stand-your-ground"

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The first thing I thought when I heard about it is a wish that even one capable off duty officer carrying his weapon had been part of the crowd. This is why I always carry off duty and have always pushed for a policy (which my department does not have still) requiring all off duty officers where I work to carry off duty. I don't know what kind of community these people live in. A packed theater where I live and I would bet a paycheck on having a minimum of 4 law abiding concealed permit holders present.

That would prevent more crime then you are aware of. I said that for years.

I believe EVERYONE has the right to keep and bear arms. However, knowing many people and how they think, not everyone should keep and bear arms. There are plenty of people who would be very unprepared for the responsibility of carrying and using a firearm.

A right which must be exercised at all times, regardless of personal choice isn't really a right.

I'm not for compulsory bearing of arms any more than I am for compulsory voting.

hso said:

I want NO laws telling me to or not to carry.
This is my right to exercise as I see fit and not as the government tells me.

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I can remember decades ago a girl I was going out with used to carry a snub nose .38 in her purse because her dad wanted her to be safe.

It fell out under the table at a night club in Atlanta once, and not one single person freaked out. Everyone was calm.

There were no CC permits then. And the world was a better place, too.

Actually, no... the Supreme Court did not find that the government can 'make you buy health insurance'. What they found was that the government can tax people who fall into arbitrarily deliniated categories.
It seems like a fine distinction to some... but it makes the difference between a criminal case and a civil case. If you did apply the recent decision to hypothetical madatory gun ownership (and we're hangin' way out there on this one, folks) it would make the difference between paying a 'pacifism tax' and facing arrest for a 'crime of pacifism'. Of course, when you think of it that way, you'll realize how silly this debate is getting...

ETA: I have ZERO desire to debate health care reform on THR... merely pointing out the difference between civil and criminal powers of law.

I forget which country (Sweden maybe) does this. Well, own not carry anyway.

A while ago I agreed with you. But, after thinking about it, it reminds me too much of an idea called, "The draft."

I think encouragement is the best way. Tax exemptions for firearms / ammo, etc. But anything more than that on a federal level goes too far. In a Utopian America, I would like to see the repeal of any and all laws regarding firearms (other than their use in crimes) and leave it all to the states.

Well, how about a tax break on gun ownership? (Not per gun, but if you own them). Encourages gun ownership, allows the politician to talk about the advantages of gun ownership, and the tax break could be said due to the fact that preventing crime makes it easier for the police force.

Plus, it would give me a tax break for being a gun owner

I can remember decades ago a girl I was going out with used to carry a snub nose .38 in her purse because her dad wanted her to be safe.

It fell out under the table at a night club in Atlanta once, and not one single person freaked out. Everyone was calm.

There were no CC permits then. And the world was a better place, too.

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That story is precisely why some folks shouldn't carry. "Accidentally dropped" guns have a tendency to be set off accidentally (especially in nightclubs---*cough*, Plaxico!, *cough*)... I hardly think every ditz having a shooting iron to fall out of their backpack, down their pants, or out of their purse is a good thing. That said, I think the only "gun free zone" that is a remotely good idea is at places where alcohol is served (or "mind altering chemicals" are legal), excepting of course, the (sober) staff.

TCB

PS-I'll bet Chef Ramsey would be much more civil if all his lackeys were packing...just sayin'

Under Socialized Medicine the Feds are attempting to mandate that we purchase health insurance or be penalized under tax law. OK; are not firearms Health Insurance? Should you not therefore be penalized for not possessing a firearm?

uh... no. was that proposed facetiously? i can't always tell...