On 06/12/16, Jeff Smith said the following...
JS> Yes Ian, but Canada also has about one tenth the population of the US. I
JS> don't think it is so much Gun Control as it is the mindset of the
JS> people.
1/10th the population, and much much less than 1/10th the gun violence level.
Actual statistics available here
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_firearm-related_death_rate
show that the US firearm-related death rate per 100,000 population is over 5
times that of Canada. Interesting that all of the countries in the list with
higher rates than the US are countries that have certain 'rule of law'
issues. Certainly no G8 countries worse than the US.
JS> Gun control isn't going to keep a gun out of the hands of those
JS> that want to use a gun.
Ah, this is the biggest sticking point I hear in gun control arguments. The
saturation level of guns in the US is at an alarming level. It is trivial for
someone to lay their hands on a gun - legally or illegally, in the US, just
because of the sheer volume of guns in the environment. Because guns are more
difficult to procure legally in Canada, there's a far lower level of
available guns.
I'm sure you'd agree that a certain level of gun violence is due to the
instant availability of a gun in the environment - such as crimes of passion, or
toddlers shooting other toddlers, etc. If the gun wasn't within 10 feet,
the incident wouldn't have happened.
JS> > It's unfortunate that Americans cling on to a few words written into the
JS> > constitution about the right to bear arms.
JS> Important words to the average American Ian. From day one our freedoms have
JS> been important. And many Americans resist having those freedoms
JS> taken away or limited. Is gun control necessary in the US? Yes, I think
JS> it IS a good thing. There are people that shouldn't be allowed to
JS> legally own or possess a gun. Such as Felons, Mentally, or Emotionally
JS> unstable people. Proof of proper gun usage should be and is currently
JS> required. That having been said someone that wants to use a gun to
JS> commit a crime isn't interested in any existing gun laws. I see guns as
JS> a thing. How it is used is determined by the person. If gun sales were
JS> banned here Ian. Those that still wanted a gun could easily get one.
JS> Laws against something don't keep people from doing that thing if the
JS> desire is great enough. Again, change the mindset of the person and the
JS> existence of guns becomes irrelevant. But, I also realize that that is also
JS> the hardest thing to accomplish.
JS> > Thankfully, our Charter of Rights and Freedoms doesn't have such silly
JS> > language.
JS> Silly is a matter of perspective Ian. What Canadian freedom would you fight
JS> to keep or resist being taken away Ian?
Canadians suffer from much less 'rights and freedoms' than our American
neighbours. I don't have the right to free speech, for example. However, I do
have the right to reasonable speech.
I am happy to accept the 'limitations' on my rights and freedoms, in exchange
for socialized health care, the right to notice before my employment is
terminated, and a social safety net that works.
After re-reading my original message, I would like to apologise for my
inflamatory wording of my feelings of the US constitution. I'm not changing
my opinion, however I admit a certain lack of sensitivity in my wording.
Ian
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