some analysis
I've learned some interesting things from the responses to this poll and am happy that 450 people have responded.
The answers have brought even more questions but the one thing I have seen is that we need to change the culture. We need to ask why in states like Alaska, Vermont, Texas isn't EVERYONE walking around with guns? Why are people ignoring their civic responsiblity? There are "get out the vote" movements, I think we need to awaken everyone to the fact that the 2A is an individual right and one that needs to be excercised, until then rules and laws will only be symptoms in a larger sickness
--18 or older to purchase (gun, Full auto, suppressor, sbs, sbr, etc.): 301-66.59%
While there's general agreement that 18 is the right age to legally do anything, there are those that feel that those younger than 18 used to be able to purchase guns and we did not have mass chaos in the streets. However with our current state of education and culture is it wise to allow those younger esp. those that are not positively exposed to firearms to have access to guns without parental consent?
--Parental Consent for those under 18 for usage, not purchase: 215-47.57%
Less voted for consent than for over 18. Is this because people feel they should be able to give guns to their kids if they are under 18? This option should have been a bit clearer, my fault.
--Backround Checks ie: No violent felons or Mentalally Handicapped: 258-57.08%
There are those that say criminals bypass background checks. Some testify to the fact that background checks have prevented some felons from getting guns. Also speed of the checks are important ie: instant background check. Is this system perfect? No. But do we get rid of it even though it has worked in some instances? Some think so, some think it's doable as long as it's quick and mistakes are keep to a bare minimum. Some say if everyone was armed then it wouldn't matter but even in gun-friendly states like Texas CCWs are about 2% of the population, so even if guns were available to all, many people would not buy or much less carry them creating an imbalance.
--Must pass basic knowledge test on (operation, use of force, hunt): 98-21.68%
About 22% think it's good to know operation, laws, hunt. regs. before being able to buy first gun. Many feel that it's a good idea but should not be mandated. Some equate it to a poll tax or literacy req.
--DUI type testing/laws for CCWers: 53-11.73%
Carrying and drinking, although generally regarded as a bad idea, members feel that it's intrusive to have DUI type laws.
--Zero tolerance for carrying under the influence: 117-25.88%
same as above
--Licensing for DDs, crew served weapons ie: tanks, artillery, planes: 121-26.77%
Many polled seem to be ok with anyone even without a background check owning these types of ordnance/devices/vehicles.
--No firearms in courts or seats of government: 106-23.45%
Most seem to agree with courts but not seats of government.
--No firearms in "sterile" enviroments ie: Airplanes, prisons 127-28.10%
Most agree with prisons but see airlines as privately owned places of business but how does this jive with those who are opposed to businesses restricting weapons?
--No WMDs ie: nuclear, bio, chemical etc. 329-72.79%
The most consensus here but about 27% polled view ownership of a WMD as part of their 2A right. Others debate whether a law would really prevent someone who really wants to own wmds from getting them.
--Must be US citizen or have green card 312-69.03%
Interesting result because there are those that believe the 2A is a human right that shouldn't ever be restricted by any government but there are those (69%) that only American citizens enjoy this right. Should people visiting be allowed to have arms? Should we be able to have arms while visiting other countries?
--Remedy to restore rights of mentally handicapped & violent felons 169-37.39%
Some say violent felons shold be locked up for life. Unfortunately that's not the system we have. Background checks are obviously a result of this current system
If a woman has post partum depression at one point in her life or if someone has had to deal with depression when he/she was younger should he/she be prohibited in the future from owning. What about suicide attempts?
--Private homes/business may restrict carry 204-45.13%
A man's home is his castle even if it infringes upon anothers' 2A right? Maybe but less clear is a business' rights
What about businesses that are open to the public? Do they have a duty to respect members of the public that wish to excercise their 2A or do business' property rights trump this?
--Background checks at gun shows: 90-19.91%
see above re: background checks. How does one do a background check on private or FTF sales?
--Any firearms dealer must be licensed: 137-30.31%
This of course depends on a dealer having to be an arm of the government. Should any individual be allowed to purchase huge amounts of guns at one time and sell them to whomever they wish?
--Mandatory 2 year military service: 35-7.74%
Would military service make us a more gun tolerant society? If everyone had to serve would the general public see the 2A as a vital instrument for self defence/preservation?
I've learned some interesting things from the responses to this poll and am happy that 450 people have responded.
The answers have brought even more questions but the one thing I have seen is that we need to change the culture. We need to ask why in states like Alaska, Vermont, Texas isn't EVERYONE walking around with guns? Why are people ignoring their civic responsiblity? There are "get out the vote" movements, I think we need to awaken everyone to the fact that the 2A is an individual right and one that needs to be excercised, until then rules and laws will only be symptoms in a larger sickness
--18 or older to purchase (gun, Full auto, suppressor, sbs, sbr, etc.): 301-66.59%
While there's general agreement that 18 is the right age to legally do anything, there are those that feel that those younger than 18 used to be able to purchase guns and we did not have mass chaos in the streets. However with our current state of education and culture is it wise to allow those younger esp. those that are not positively exposed to firearms to have access to guns without parental consent?
--Parental Consent for those under 18 for usage, not purchase: 215-47.57%
Less voted for consent than for over 18. Is this because people feel they should be able to give guns to their kids if they are under 18? This option should have been a bit clearer, my fault.
--Backround Checks ie: No violent felons or Mentalally Handicapped: 258-57.08%
There are those that say criminals bypass background checks. Some testify to the fact that background checks have prevented some felons from getting guns. Also speed of the checks are important ie: instant background check. Is this system perfect? No. But do we get rid of it even though it has worked in some instances? Some think so, some think it's doable as long as it's quick and mistakes are keep to a bare minimum. Some say if everyone was armed then it wouldn't matter but even in gun-friendly states like Texas CCWs are about 2% of the population, so even if guns were available to all, many people would not buy or much less carry them creating an imbalance.
--Must pass basic knowledge test on (operation, use of force, hunt): 98-21.68%
About 22% think it's good to know operation, laws, hunt. regs. before being able to buy first gun. Many feel that it's a good idea but should not be mandated. Some equate it to a poll tax or literacy req.
--DUI type testing/laws for CCWers: 53-11.73%
Carrying and drinking, although generally regarded as a bad idea, members feel that it's intrusive to have DUI type laws.
--Zero tolerance for carrying under the influence: 117-25.88%
same as above
--Licensing for DDs, crew served weapons ie: tanks, artillery, planes: 121-26.77%
Many polled seem to be ok with anyone even without a background check owning these types of ordnance/devices/vehicles.
--No firearms in courts or seats of government: 106-23.45%
Most seem to agree with courts but not seats of government.
--No firearms in "sterile" enviroments ie: Airplanes, prisons 127-28.10%
Most agree with prisons but see airlines as privately owned places of business but how does this jive with those who are opposed to businesses restricting weapons?
--No WMDs ie: nuclear, bio, chemical etc. 329-72.79%
The most consensus here but about 27% polled view ownership of a WMD as part of their 2A right. Others debate whether a law would really prevent someone who really wants to own wmds from getting them.
--Must be US citizen or have green card 312-69.03%
Interesting result because there are those that believe the 2A is a human right that shouldn't ever be restricted by any government but there are those (69%) that only American citizens enjoy this right. Should people visiting be allowed to have arms? Should we be able to have arms while visiting other countries?
--Remedy to restore rights of mentally handicapped & violent felons 169-37.39%
Some say violent felons shold be locked up for life. Unfortunately that's not the system we have. Background checks are obviously a result of this current system
If a woman has post partum depression at one point in her life or if someone has had to deal with depression when he/she was younger should he/she be prohibited in the future from owning. What about suicide attempts?
--Private homes/business may restrict carry 204-45.13%
A man's home is his castle even if it infringes upon anothers' 2A right? Maybe but less clear is a business' rights
What about businesses that are open to the public? Do they have a duty to respect members of the public that wish to excercise their 2A or do business' property rights trump this?
--Background checks at gun shows: 90-19.91%
see above re: background checks. How does one do a background check on private or FTF sales?
--Any firearms dealer must be licensed: 137-30.31%
This of course depends on a dealer having to be an arm of the government. Should any individual be allowed to purchase huge amounts of guns at one time and sell them to whomever they wish?
--Mandatory 2 year military service: 35-7.74%
Would military service make us a more gun tolerant society? If everyone had to serve would the general public see the 2A as a vital instrument for self defence/preservation?