Jeff,
I know my opinion seems a little bizzare to say the least, but I think we really need to make an impact on crime and our culture. You make a good point about other countries and what crime is like with their societies. We should definitely learn or think about incorporating some of their ideas. Even though our societies do have different systems of government and cultures. Granted guns are probably not the issue here but guns are the means to an outcome. I'm not hard and fast about captial punishment when someone just possesses a firearm, but I am for jail time if someone does illegally obtain a firearm. Plus if they were to fire a firearm then there should be more sanctions and jail time. Assuming that firearms were taken from the people, which would probably never happen. I do see your point with the police state with the federal and local government. I've been over that in Criminal Justice courses that I've taken. I just see it as a loose loose situation if you let everyone have access to firearms. Whatever benefits there might be because if you eliminate all firearms then you take care of the responsible citizens and the troublemakers. Firearms are probably not the source of causation but it definitely is a means.
|