The 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings caused several states and cities to pass strict gun control measures. In response, state lawmakers in gun friendly states in the South and West passed bills that would strengthen Stand Your Ground laws and allow weapons in most public places. In 2014, 21 states passed laws that expanded the rights of gun owners allowing them to possess firearms in churches, bars, schools and college campuses. The federal government has not passed any gun control measures since the 1994 Brady Bill and 42 states now allow the possession of assault rifles. In the U.S. two-thirds of all gun deaths are suicides and in 2010 there were 19,000 firearm suicides and 11,000 firearm homicides.
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@ISIDEWITH14yrs14Y
Yes
@9GHH4K9 2yrs2Y
Top Agreement
Kids killing kids is a problem in today's society. A man with easy access to guns, can simply go out and buy one. Get in the bus with it hidden, and go to your child's school and massacre everyone in that school, including your kid.
@9GHJWNN2yrs2Y
The 2nd amendment gives everyone the right to bear arms. While murder is totally wrong, it would be unconstitutional to deny people the right to carry a gun.
@9RGQQGD1yr1Y
While I do not entirely disagree, always remember, one persons rights end where another persons begins. Where someone’s right to bear arms exists, the minute it crosses over someone’s right to LIFE there is an issue. When someone, who has the constitutional right to own a fire arm, aims and fires at an innocent child who has the constitutional right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, that right to bear arms is no longer that simple. Owning a gun is fine, but they should be regulated and not end up in the hands of someone who is not mentally stable enough to hold a wea… Read more
@9WS5YHR12mos12MO
Its impossible to legislate gun control. Its an intangible theory. The biggest way that individuals who should not have guns obtain them is by theft, and usually by vehicle break in. Do not leave a firearm in your glovebox or console or trunk, ever
@B7DLTCL2wks2W
A few issues I would like to point out. Firstly, mental capacity tests would open the flood gates for politicians (both left and right) restricting peoples rights by aligning the definitions of mentally ill to align with whomever they want to restrict the rights of. Don't forget when the south had strict gun laws and whom it was exactly who was restricted from owning/ carrying them (hint: it was black people). Also lets not forget, people can lie, and will lie on those tests if they want to shoot up a school, it's not that difficult for lunatics to fit in with ordinary people. Also… Read more
@B2B6KD69mos9MO
If the second amendment is outdated and only apply to muskets. Then that makes the first amendment even older. So anyone that says that, I hope you like going back to pen and paper as your only way of comunitcation. Also, guns save more lives than they take every year. And cars kill more people than all gun deaths combined. You if you really want to ban the thing that can kill the most and the fastest, than I hope you are going to be with the idea to ban cars.
@B495GHC6mos6MO
I don't totally disagree with you. I want you to know, when a gun owner events to committ an attempted murder, that's a crime, a reasonable one and an abuse of an constitutional right Another abuse of constitutional rights is the right for Congress members to set their own salary. A congress member could pay themselves $200k a year compared to the 100k.
@9HZHDQP2yrs2Y
“it would be unconstitutional to deny people the right to carry a gun.”
Yes I agree with you but nobody said that they would restrict anyone from buying a gun... it's just a discussion on if we should establish stricter gun rules or not.
@9T5VWSZLibertarian1yr1Y
Either way you say it limiting access is the same as restricting access. The question is where's the line and when does it infringe on the 2nd amendment. It's about a balance of public safety and not infringing on the 2nd amendment. Most people would agree children should not have access, those with a violent criminal past should not have access etc. etc. the main issue is where is that line drawn for the average adult American.
@9KNGK9P2yrs2Y
yes this is right
@9JH3D8Y2yrs2Y
these are my thoughts exactly
So you think bloodthirsty animals who mow down helpless and innocent Kindergarteners are going to give a d@mn about laws against owning guns, or restricting the purchase thereof? Do you honestly think scumbags who couldn't care less about laws against cold-blooded murder are going to respect gun control laws? Do you think they're just going to say to themselves, "Dang it! I wanted to massacre a bunch of innocent children, but it turns out it's illegal to own the gun I wanted to do that with. Never mind! It's wrong to break the law, after all." Of course not. The only people on this planet who are going to obey gun control laws are people who would never dream of using guns for anything but hunting and self-defense.Read more
@9RSH5PF1yr1Y
Statistics prove you right.
@9VGYCF91yr1Y
In the United States even if there was a ban on all guns for citizens, there would still be criminals that can get there hands on a gun and murder an inocent person with nothing to defend themselfs.
@9T5VWSZLibertarian1yr1Y
I think it's more about if it was harder to obtain a weapon that could do such damage it would deter those obviously sick in the head people into doing it in the first place. Making it a process to obtain a gun won't stop tragedies from happening 100% of the time, but if even one child could be saved from it, I think it's worth trying to do something different. It would mean there are less guns on the street period, and those of sound mind and of proper age would have nothing to worry about in regard to obtaining a gun. I am very much pro 2nd amendment; I think a lot less crimes against women would happen if every woman carried a gun and had the knowledge to use it well. If every man who attacked a women knew that they were carrying it would deter them from attacking them.
@NationalGuy479mos9MO
#6 Engaged Domestic Policy Informed Gun Control
I strongly agree with you, people you use guns for murder or other malicious intents are criminals, and most probably would care getting a gun through illegal ways.
@9GHH9582yrs2Y
Trained personnel, in the right places, would ensure that this would never happen. Mass shootings, like the one in Maine yesterday, wouldn't have occurred if a concealed weapons permit holder with a weapon, had been around. There will always be evil men and they will always find a way to enact their depravity. The overwhelming majority of gun owners are law-abiding citizens others are safer because of.
Additionally, nine of my ancestors fought in the American Revolutionary War to give us the right to protect ourselves from enemies both foreign and domestic. I will NEVER give up my right to protect myself and my family!
But if a teacher ALSO had a gun, she could mow down that scumbag in two seconds flat instead of having to wait half an hour for the police to get there.
@9TFLTRG1yr1Y
Yes that would be good but what if the teacher is the shooter
@@1876-Elbert1yr1Y
Then the school system has fallen even lower than it already is.
@9TYJFHK1yr1Y
"Won't shoot the people who they're responsible for" is a very low standard of trust compared to everything that we already expect from teachers.
@9GFFTZP 2yrs2Y
if people weren't able to walk around with guns then other people wouldn't feel endangered, and they wouldn't feel that they'd have to carry around a gun as well.
@9GFHMC2Libertarian2yrs2Y
It is our constitutional right to own and carry firearms and no laws are going to prevent bad guys from owning and carrying firearms either
@9GFMBV82yrs2Y
A gun isn’t the issue, it’s the mentally ill people that walk around thinking it’s okay to kill children that are the issue.
@9RGQQGD1yr1Y
So you agree, there should more regulations in place to make it so that firearms do not end up in the wrong persons hands such as background checks, mental health evaluations, etc?
@B3MH69J7mos7MO
I definitely agree that people who are mentally ill shouldn't have a gun. However, I think this is where "preventative practices" would be beneficial. Instead of focusing on banning or restricting firearms, we should focus on initiatives for mentally ill people to receive treatment so they don't have thoughts of killing people. I agree that there should be some restrictions for the mentally ill, but if we start paying more attention to mental health treatment, and incentivise it, then the issue of restriction would be less necessary.
@KindheartedGranola2yrs2Y
That's a utopia I'd love to see. But in the meantime, in the real world, people carry guns for a myriad of reasons, often for their own personal security. Your suggestion seems to overlook that reality.
We can ensure that responsible, law-abiding citizens who feel the need for protection can still obtain firearms.
Take Australia for example, they implemented strict gun control after the Port Arthur massacre in 1996. The regulations didn’t prevent people from owning guns entirely but made the process more rigorous. Subsequently, both gun-related homicides and suicides saw a significant decrease.
The Government has nuclear bombs and Tomahawk missiles and you won't let us have what are peashooters by comparison. The Government will inevitably become more tyrannical if it does not fear & respect the people, and if the people do not have the capacity to defend themselves against tyranny.
@9GFV3PC2yrs2Y
No matter what people are somehow going to get their hands on a gun, its happened before in places like Britain. Either way it is sewn into our constitution ot bear arms. We should be allowed a gun to protect ourselves and our country
@9G3MTS2 2yrs2Y
Every day, 116 Americans lose their lives as a result of gun violence. Guns play a crucial role in the majority of suicide deaths. In comparison to other nations, America has some of the laxest gun laws. In America there are also more guns than people, with about 120.5 guns for every 100 residents.
@9G3PL5HLibertarian2yrs2Y
They need to change the caliber and size of guns certain people can purchase based on experience and trust with types of firearms
@@1876-Elbert1yr1Y
How could young people become hunters, then? Or do something like 4H shooting sports?
@9G3NLDB2yrs2Y
There has been too many cases of people being victims of shooting be those who are not mentally well so there should be more restrictions on gun control to prevent this
@9G3NTS62yrs2Y
Agreed. I think guns should still be allowed in America obviously, but they need to do stricter background checks and verification before a person can buy one.
@B78BPKJ 3wks3W
Black people and illegal immigrants have a higher percentage crime rate especially murder. Get rid of soft on crime policys and the crime will get lower guarantee, the guns are not the problem.
@B78FTN8Independent3wks3W
While I agree with getting rid of soft on crime laws and that guns are not the primary issue I don't see a point in boiling this down to race as I believe the targets of a hard on crime policy would be gangs and whether or not there's a majority population in the gangs breaking the point down to race may cause future issues.
@B78FQWC3wks3W
I disagree because just because you think this specific race or ethnicity is the one doing more crimes then other people is crazy, it should be about the person and their mental state and mental illness not because they’re white, black, Latin, Hispanic, etc
@B78FJ653wks3W
It is inaccurate to link higher crime rates to illegal immigrants and to suggest they are the primary cause of crime. Studies consistently show immigrants, both legal and undocumented, have significantly lower incarceration rates and are less likely to commit crimes than native-born citizens.
@B7MNB3G8hrs8H
Black people have a higher crime rate which stems from racism, and illegal aliens should have deportation alongside their prison sentenceings.
@ISIDEWITH14yrs14Y
No
@B7BTPD8Republican 2wks2W
Top Agreement
Controlling Guns is like taking away the only way to protect my family and my loved ones because bad people can get there hands on anything illegally and like charlie kirk said all it does is make killing easier it doesn't make killing and other things go away.
@B7CPSCS2wks2W
There will always be bad people who want to use things for evil purposes. Controlling guns does not mean banning them altogether, it means it will be more difficult for people who will use guns in an unlawful way to get them in the first place. For ordinary people who will never use them to harm someone else, those people should be able to own guns since they'll pass all the screenings and background checks.
@B7CYK8Z2wks2W
Guns should not be taken away but restrictions need to be implemented on who can have guns, there needs to be background checks and multiple tests for who can own a firearm.
@B7CJW982wks2W
i'm not against people having guns, but the way that they go about getting the guns as much too easy there needs to be more restrictions and who can get them and also the types of guns that people can get a hold of
@B77YMY5 3wks3W
It helps to deter not only criminals but also the government from over reaching. While some regulation on gun buying may be beneficial, ownership and use of firearms are distinctly an American privilege, and any costs of the amendment are out weighed by the benefits.
@B78CMMC3wks3W
It's not the gun, it's the person behind it. Regulate laws for purchasing including background checks, phsycological checks and more.
@B78C48S3wks3W
We should create more things to prevent bad people from purchasing guns . Background checks , psychological tests , etc . Yes they’re beneficial and I do believe they can protect as long as the person using the tool is of sound mind and is educated.
@B74F6DCWomen’s Equality3wks3W
Gun control should be more protective, people who purchase guns should have a background check to approve the buyer to own a firearm. If someone is a previous criminal for gun use, decline the approval.
@B78CX3L3wks3W
I believe that guns SHOULD be allowed, but with much more strict controls. Gun deaths are extremely common, and most are not in self defense. There should be tight regulations on who can buy a gun, and what type of gun they should be able to buy, and all guns should be tracked to make it more difficult for the violent criminals those who want guns fear to get a gun.
@9FNZWSR 2yrs2Y
Top Disagreement
There should be more restrictions because if sellers gave thorough investigation on why someone wanted to buy a gun there there would be less gun violence.
@9FP4K7R2yrs2Y
absolutely, I belive that in order to get a gun license you should have to go through extensive background checks and tests to show mental stability and courses educating the buyer on on how to properly handle a gun, aswell as having to wait up to 2 weeks after buying a gun to recieve it, which has been shown to greatly reduce the rates of impulsive gun violence and suicide.
@NationalGuy47 9mos9MO
#6 Engaged Domestic Policy Informed Gun Control
There would be barely any less gun violence from that, if even less at all, the type of people that would hurt someone with a gun wouldn't care to get a gun through illegal means, meanwhile law abiding citizens couldn't defend themselves and possibly get murdered because someone thought that they didn't have a good reason to have a gun.
I agree with this statement because I believe if we did effective background checks on people buying guns, we can see who is eligible to be a responsible gun owner.
@9F9PSDLIndependent 2yrs2Y
I really think they should be banned but I know that's too much to ask so I think we should go the Japan route. Make them expensive and require a lot of yearly training and fees.
@ISIDEWITH13yrs13Y
Yes, require strict background checks, psychological testing, and training
@VeggieleezyDemocrat 2yrs2Y
Top Agreement
Buying a firearm should not be easier than buying cough medicine at the pharmacy, and owning a gun doesn't make someone instantly an expert in its safe usage unless their intent is deliberately unsafe use. Existing gun control laws need to be more strictly enforced, and the ability to purchase firearms, especially assault rifles, should come with stricter background checks and clearances. Also, gun owners should be required to keep their weapons safely and securely locked in their homes to prevent accidental use or deaths, and anyone who purchases guns should go through training to use them safely.
@9GWQY8H2yrs2Y
The right to keep and bear arms is as fundamental to the United States of America as the freedom of speech we utilize to discuss it. You cannot have one without the other; that is where the conversation starts from. We take the wrong approach to changing the impact guns have on the lives of Americans. Rather than hiding them away, as we did with drugs, prostitution and human trafficking, and mental health, we must push them into the light.
1. Gun familiarity, (safety and respect) should be taught in the schools.
2. The federal government should establish publicly accessible mental health… Read more
@9GWQY5Q2yrs2Y
I agree with this statement, the sale of military grade guns have become way too prevalent and unregulated.
@9TYJFHK1yr1Y
"Military grade" only means that it's durable and cheap, if anything.
@@1876-Elbert11mos11MO
One could go out and do the same amount of damage with a .22 LR as with an AK-47.
@9GWR5392yrs2Y
Buying a firearm is the inherent right of all Americans and any freedom-seeking individuals who wish to either break free from an oppressive regime or to establish a free society. This tool is a good check on government authority. Both cough medicine and firearms should be easy to obtain. The safe use of firearms is already practiced by a large majority of firearm users, and the restriction of obtaining, possessing, securing, and using firearms will only be met with revolutionary action. “By the people, for the people” will be suppressed if firearms rights are restricted. Not can be, WILL be.
@9GNDP2VLibertarian 2yrs2Y
There are already restrictive gun laws in many states. I support the gun laws requiring stringent background checks, not allowing sale of guns to those with mental illness or history of felons. However; most of these gun laws are not ENFORCED! What good are good laws that are not backed up? More aggression in the enforcement of gun sales is needed.
@9KNGK9P2yrs2Y
these laws literally are enforced just go to a gun store and try to buy a gun
@9GNFKYHRepublican2yrs2Y
Although you have made good statements, more gun control rules are taking away our constitution right to the second amendment.
@9GNDP2VLibertarian 2yrs2Y
Allowing guns to be sold to folks with known mental health issues is taking away the right to life of our school children and other innocent bystanders. Some folks should not have access to guns.
@9GNFV2S2yrs2Y
"A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall NOT be infringed." Need I say more.
@9KNGK9P2yrs2Y
these laws literally are enforced just go to a gun store and try to buy a gun
@9F9PSDLIndependent 2yrs2Y
They should have a psych exam and go through multiple training and handling courses. They should also not be allowed to own a gun if they have any red flags in the background check. You should also get references from people outside the family.
@9FTJW64 2yrs2Y
Supporting strict background checks, psychological testing, and training is vital for effective gun control. Studies show that countries with comprehensive gun control measures have significantly lower rates of firearm-related deaths. Background checks can prevent individuals with criminal records or mental health issues from accessing guns, reducing the risk of violent incidents. Psychological testing and training ensure that gun owners are mentally stable and proficient in firearm handling, promoting responsible ownership. These measures, backed by evidence, prioritize public safety without infringing on citizens' rights, making them essential components of a sensible gun control policy.
@9FTLZWZ2yrs2Y
I agree, I would also like to add that we should have routine mental health checks. This would ensure gun owners aren't in poor mental health while still in possession of a firearm.
@9TYJFHK1yr1Y
A "mental health check" is nothing more than "does this shrink have a grudge against me or my choices", since "mental health" is far too subjective and pseudoscientific to be the basis of any restrictions.
Also, I forgot to mention the comically high costs (not just fees, but also just having enough experts to deal with the process).
@B3MH69J 7mos7MO
“Studies show that countries with comprehensive gun control measures have significantly lower rates of firearm-related deaths.”
More gun control doesn't directly change gun deaths. In fact, Mexico has some of the strictest gun control in the world, but in 2012, they had more gun deaths than the U.S. had by about 2,000 people. Even today, Mexico has a higher crime and murder rate than the U.S. has. Brazil has the highest amount of gun-related deaths in 2024, and they have stricter gun control than the U.S. And I think we all know the reason why: the cartels. But, the cartels prove how gun control doesn't work. They don't just waltz into the ONE gun store in Mexico and buy a gun. No, they smuggle them int… Read more
@ISIDEWITH13yrs13Y
No, only for criminals and the mentally ill
Engaged Gun Control #1 Informed Domestic Policy
Top Agreement
Banning guns is in direct violation of the Second Amendment, some people are going to say that it's something we'll have to face to save lives. However in a time when political turmoil is the norm, owning the rights to protection is absolutely vital. In words the Second Amendment is a right to own firearms but in actuality it is the right to protect oneself, one's property and one's family. That being said, we should still have some restrictions in regards to mental illness.
@B7FNC5LIndependent1wk1W
Banning Guns Does violate the second Amendment, but increasing Gun control laws, regulations and making a gun harder to own doesn’t take away someone’s right to own it just makes it safer.
@B7FSXM41wk1W
to put it simple, gun restrictions isn't banning it, nor is it can the property away. The main problem is the guns are like a double edged sword, it can protect a lot but also kill a lot. I think the main goal is safety and even if guns are still allowed in America, I think less is better than more. the Second Amendment is still honored and any important figures have a decreased percentage of danger.
@B7FMGSL1wk1W
strong counter-argument is that strict gun control laws may not actually prevent criminals from obtaining weapons, since people with bad intentions can often find ways to get firearms illegally. Instead, these laws may disproportionately limit law-abiding citizens’ ability to defend themselves and their families. From this point of view, the right to bear arms is tied to personal freedom and self-protection, and taking that away could leave responsible citizens vulnerable while criminals remain armed.
@B7FWLMV1wk1W
That’s a valid concern, but one question is whether evidence shows higher gun ownership really reduces vulnerability. Some studies suggest stricter regulations lower overall gun deaths, including accidents and suicides, so it may depend on which risks a society prioritizes.
@B7JC8L86 days6D
I agree that people should be allowed to carry guns for protection, but there should be many restrictions and it should take a long time to be able to get a license to carry a gun. There should be intense training and a severe understanding of the consequences that will be upheld if the weapon is misused.
@9F8SQZQ 2yrs2Y
Top Disagreement
Many of the criminals or mentally ill citizens that perform acts of gun violence are not consider criminals or mentally ill until after they have performed these crimes. The stakes are too high to assume that an otherwise healthy and stable person cannot one day become an unstable person that may harm other people.
@9GX9TFBPeace and Freedom 2yrs2Y
People who have a criminal history should not be trusted with guns unless they are 100% reformed, and even that isn't enough. People who are mentally ill shouldn't be trusted with guns either because we don't know what they are going through and what they might do with a gun if they were given one.
@9GZNNTL2yrs2Y
Criminals should not be trusted with firearms. For those with mental issues, it depends on the condition and the severity.
Yes, I agree. Those who have committed violence before or who are mentally unstable should not be allowed to have a gun with which they could hurt or kill people.
@9GYPKQC2yrs2Y
I don't think criminals should have access to guns. I think that some people can have guns but not everyone.
@Cuz-I-Know-Stuff9mos9MO
#7 Engaged Domestic Policy Engaged Gun Control
Criminals don't have guns and if they do they likely got it from an illegal gun seller or smuggler (most often illegal immigrants)
If someone have criminal background and they try and purchase a gun I think they should be denied it because you have no proof that they won’t harm anyone with it
@9TYJFHK1yr1Y
Having a felony conviction that wasn't pardoned, being a fugitive, and any history of unlawful drug use is enough to make someone a prohibited person.
All of those (except drug use which lacks a criminal record, obviously) are already part of the NICS check system, which must be done for every potential gun buyer (some states exempt concealed carry permit holders which already are checked daily).
The main problem is that some police agencies don't report incidents for months or years after. This can be fixed without imposing more invasive measures on gun buyers.
All people have the capacity to be dangerous such weapons should not be available to the public without harsh process of license so people who have them are well evaluated and educated.
@ISIDEWITH14yrs14Y
No, and the government should pass a national “stand your ground” law
@B78BPKJ 3wks3W
Top Disagreement
There should be a little more restrictions to buying a gun like if you have a mental illness or something like that but the guns are not the problems, the people with them are.
@B78FTQS3wks3W
Yes, guns are not the problem, but there still should be more restrictions nonetheless because mental illness/motive cannot always prove that someone should be allowed to have guns.
@B79RKGM2wks2W
Guns themselves are not the issue; it's the lack of regulating and laws to restrict having a firearm which can fall into the hands of someone who is mentally ill, as well as parents or guardians not locking up their firearms when they're supposed to, which just grants easy access.
@B78FJ653wks3W
There is no single "agreement" on gun control because the topic is highly complex and people's views vary widely based on different perspectives.
@B78GC5X3wks3W
I agree. We need to focus on what kind of people are getting guns instead of how they should be allowed to use them. There should be a more thorough screening process.
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