Should America Ban Guns

[Bhootnike]

I don't really say much regarding the recent shootings as such, except for that I think its stupid and US should ban guns.
But today this issue has hit me on a personal level due to the shooting in a Sikh Temple in the US, killing a few people and injuring more.

What are your thoughts on the legal status of guns in USA.
Should firearms be banned ?

[Ravit]

The shooting in the USA on innocent Sikhs, is really really unfortunate and in my eyes a testament of the consequences of gun culture in USA.
Whilst it is idealistic to propose that they should be banned, this should be the case.

[pi]

Ban them. Nowadays, guns are for GTA, not real life.

[Starlight]

Yes. They should be banned.

[WINGARDIUM]

People who open fire on innocent civilians must surely be messed up in the head? BAN THEM GUNS.

And its horrible he chose to go to the Gurudwara where people were praying

[Genericname2365]

I find the mentality that banning guns amounts to tyranny in this day and age to be quite moronic. I have seen very few reasonable arguments against gun control displayed in debates. I doubt anything's going to change any time soon though - not with the power the NRA currently has in America. 

[sabii]

That is quite unfortunate to hear, and I am really sorry for the families that lost loved ones. I on a personal level believe that a myriad number of things (e.g. knives, tools, hammers, belts etc.) can be used as weapons against another. Therefore banning guns, although may nadir the amount of injuries and harm caused, however it is not the ultimate solution. There are other ways to tackle such issues, that will not only ban the use of guns, however prevent offenders from using other weapons from committing a serious crime. Maybe it is the law, in terms of a more severe punishment that should be reconsidered; this will deter offenders from re-offending. Moreover, I know of may families who own guns. Not for killing other individuals of course, however for the use of entertainment (hunting). Therefore I solely believe that with a bad intention anything can cause harm, thus no guns should not be banned however an ultimate resolution should be reached such as, more severe punishments enforced.

[Starlight]

I think it's just the fact that guns have more damage than other weapons really..

[sabii]

I think it's just the fact that guns have more damage than other weapons really..

I agree! I am suggesting an ultimate solution. I don't think it is very logic and smart to be banning every single threat we are exposed to. Why not increase the punishment/ sentence, something that will punish the offenders rather than those who DO follow the law??

[Genericname2365]

I think it's just the fact that guns have more damage than other weapons really..

I agree! I am suggesting an ultimate solution. I don't think it is very logic and smart to be banning every single threat we are exposed to. Why not increase the punishment/ sentence, something that will punish the offenders rather than those who DO follow the law??

Is the OP suggesting banning all firearms or just stricter gun controls, though? I think the latter makes a lot of sense.

[EvangelionZeta]

That is quite unfortunate to hear, and I am really sorry for the families that lost loved ones. I on a personal level believe that a myriad number of things (e.g. knives, tools, hammers, belts etc.) can be used as weapons against another. Therefore banning guns, although may nadir the amount of injuries and harm caused, however it is not the ultimate solution. There are other ways to tackle such issues, that will not only ban the use of guns, however prevent offenders from using other weapons from committing a serious crime. Maybe it is the law, in terms of a more severe punishment that should be reconsidered; this will deter offenders from re-offending. Moreover, I know of may families who own guns. Not for killing other individuals of course, however for the use of entertainment (hunting). Therefore I solely believe that with a bad intention anything can cause harm, thus no guns should not be banned however an ultimate resolution should be reached such as, more severe punishments enforced.

The difference is that murderers can use guns to kill far more quickly and effectively than the potential weapons that you have listed. Imagine someone trying to carry out the Virginia Tech shootings with a belt or a hammer.

I agree that the cause needs to be addressed here, but that doesn't mean guns aren't relevant to the debate. If there's a medium which easily facilitates the problem at hand, to an extent wherein the problem would be much more containable without said medium, then it is worth discussing the medium's merits.

Also worth pointing out - guns are banned normally in Australia too, but you can still sometimes own them for purposes such as sport.  In the US, in contrast, anybody of legal age can own one basically.

[Russ]

Are you advocating a blanket ban on all firearms? Because that's not particularly reasonable, but I assume that what you mean is more stringent application processes and requirements and restrictions?

On a purely practical level it won't happen, removing an amendment is almost impossible

[Starlight]

The difference is that murderers can use guns to kill far more quickly and effectively than the potential weapons that you have listed. Imagine someone trying to carry out the Virginia Tech shootings with a belt or a hammer.

^ This.

[sabii]

That is quite unfortunate to hear, and I am really sorry for the families that lost loved ones. I on a personal level believe that a myriad number of things (e.g. knives, tools, hammers, belts etc.) can be used as weapons against another. Therefore banning guns, although may nadir the amount of injuries and harm caused, however it is not the ultimate solution. There are other ways to tackle such issues, that will not only ban the use of guns, however prevent offenders from using other weapons from committing a serious crime. Maybe it is the law, in terms of a more severe punishment that should be reconsidered; this will deter offenders from re-offending. Moreover, I know of may families who own guns. Not for killing other individuals of course, however for the use of entertainment (hunting). Therefore I solely believe that with a bad intention anything can cause harm, thus no guns should not be banned however an ultimate resolution should be reached such as, more severe punishments enforced.

The difference is that murderers can use guns to kill far more quickly and effectively than the potential weapons that you have listed. Imagine someone trying to carry out the Virginia Tech shootings with a belt or a hammer.

I agree that the cause needs to be addressed here, but that doesn't mean guns aren't relevant to the debate. If there's a medium which easily facilitates the problem at hand, to an extent wherein the problem would be much more containable without said medium, then it is worth discussing the medium's merits.

Also worth pointing out - guns are banned normally in Australia too, but you can still sometimes own them for purposes such as sport.  In the US, in contrast, anybody of legal age can own one basically.

Oh, that makes sense! I agree with this I guess, I just don't think they should be fully banned. And, yeah perhaps the ones I listed were less extreme than a gun 

[Surgeon]

Just putting it out there, I'd rather be shot and killed than hacked to death with a machete or stabbed to death with a knife.

Outlawing guns isn't going to put an end to the blood shed by innocent people or the people dying in vain. It's simply going to lead to a larger black market for guns or result in people using other weapons.

Take the gun laws in Switzerland (I think it is..) for example. Every adult is given a firearm and instructed on how to use it etc. Switzerland has one of the worlds lowest crime rates in regards to firearms.