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Originally Posted by Beemnseven
See, we're reaching an impasse here, because you seem to think that proponents of gun rights favor "the spread of guns in society" or that we believe in the "proliferation of weapons" when in reality, all we want is the right to own a firearm if we want one to defend ourselves.
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Proponents of gun rights generally oppose any gun control laws. For example, as you note, the NRA opposes a 5 day waiting period for background checks. Usually the people who need a gun within the next 5 days are the types of people who should be forced to wait an eternity to get a gun. Proponents of gun rights also generally subscribe to the theory that our society would be safer if more people were packing heat (hence their opposition to conceal & carry restrictions). So, if proponents of gun rights are not in favor of the proliferation of weapons, they damn sure are not advocating for restricting access to them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beemnseven
As far as the NRA goes, they opposed the 5-day waiting period because our rights should not be subject to a waiting period. Should there be a five day wait for you to voice an opinion, to express yourself politically?
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The NRA opposes just about any limitations on access to guns. That they oppose a 5 day period for a background check and "cooling off" scares me. As for your free speech analogy, I don't think the two are even in the same ballpark.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beemnseven
At the most basic level, SGG, don't you have the fundamental, human right to defend yourself against an attacker? If someone tries to punch you in the face, is it your position that you morally have no basic right to punch back? Are you a pacifist?
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I obviously believe that everyone has the right to defend oneself against attack. However, I don't believe that the right of self-defense is synonymous with the right to have unlimited access to firearms. I also believe that when criminals are buying weapons legally or illegally acquiring weapons that were once purchased legally, you don't solve the problem by making weapons easier to obtain.
Finally, I think shotguns and rifles should be legal. I think almost all other firearms should be illegal.