Gun Control Laws

1. So let me ask you this, will an automatic rifle, (i.e. M16, AK47, MP5, etc), be the deciding factor in a fight against a fully trained standing army, plus reserves, plus National Guard? Would they win the fight against jets, tanks, artillery, etc? You can argue mass numbers would overpower the estimated 2-3million in the military active and reserve, however, as many wars overseas have shown, a small force of well trained operatives can easily bring down a numerous foe. So what purpose do assault rifles serve? 2. You stated in your first point that the 2nd Amendment does not protect your right to defend yourself from home invaders and criminals, so what purpose does a handgun serve in public? The rare chance that a revolution will erupt while you're shopping at Wal-Mart? 3. Technology includes fingerprint recognition on the trigger guard and other methods of making firearms safe from stealing. Currently, the reason there is minimal progress on it is due to New Jersey, which has stated that if any guns go on the market that have smart technology, then all guns in New Jersey must have it. As such, gun manufacturers have avoided development. This is something that needs to be reversed or enforced from a federal level to ensure safety of firearms. 4. At least we "agree" on the buy backs. However, I think it should be mandated for weapons that are meant for home defense and serve no sporting need, as you stated above, the Constitution does not cover home defense. No need to own a pistol grip Mossberg 500 for duck hunting. 5. If the stipulations are made clear then background checks work. Further, as it stands right now, the check system is a failure. The Sandy Hook shooter came up as an "optional" in the system to buy a gun, he was given the gun 3 days later and 5 days later was flagged as a "Do not sell" but he already committed the crime. We need to increase waiting periods to cover however long it takes to complete a check properly to prevent this crime. 6. As for magazines, there are plenty of reasons, carrying magazines (which by the way is the proper name, not "clip" which is a Hollywood botching of proper terminology) can get heavy, Ever try to move around with 10 magazines with 10 rounds each vs 5 magazines with 20 rounds each? It's much easier with the latter. Reloading less often giving less opportunity to end the assault. 7. Actually the sentiment that a bullet is a bullet is a false statement otherwise we wouldn't have different rounds. A .50cal will make a head explode. A 25mm will cause small irritation. There's a reason millions of dollars go to investing in research on stopping power for the military and why they choose certain rounds for certain reasons. Some rounds can be stopped by walls, some can punch through increasing casualties in a mass shooting or stray bullets. Some can pierce ballistics vests that police wear. No civillian needs armor piercing rounds that can take out police with vests. 8. The constitution does not grant the right to purchase a firearm, only to keep and bear. Restricting it to sale directly from the manufacturer or from a single one story building in Wyoming is not against the law or the constitution. 9. There are reasons, untrained, unskilled civillians going all vigilante and dirty Harry on the public. Even someone that regularly practices doesn't have the skill of a trained police officer or soldier. I think it should be restricted to those professionally trained only to be allowed to carry in public. 10. You stated at the beginning that home defense is not a protected right. Just because someone is breaking in doesn't mean they deserve the death penalty for their actions. If you have a legitimate means of escape you should take it and be required to take it. The police are there for a reason. 11. The government has many rights to confiscate. Ever hear of eminent domain? England did it and look at their hand gun crime rates? ((((I feel dirty having to argue this side.))))