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Health & Fitness

I Have Some Questions About Guns

It is probably correct that the person in Aurora would have found a way to acquire the weapons he wanted... even if we had tougher gun laws in place. But do we have to make it so easy?

It was hard not to notice the mountain of comments that followed .  There seems to be lots of gun owners in the area who are very protective of everything surrounding the Second Amendment. 

So maybe I can get some help clarifying some things about guns in America.

What I have never understood is why the assault weapons ban was allowed to expire in 1994.  And ever since, the NRA has staunchly and vehemently opposed any reinstatement.

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Why?  Why do we need weapons of war in the retail market place?  Do hunters need rapid fire weaponry?  Are we concerned about home invasions by a large number of intruders?  What is the rationale?

Another thing. During the discussions about the tragic Aurora, Colorado incident, a number of public figures and local commenters indicated that this tragedy might have had a different outcome if legal gun carriers had been allowed to have weapons in the theatre.

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I am curious how that would work.  The shooter in Aurora had head to toe body armor protection.  If someone in the theatre had stood up to return fire, all they would be doing, in my opinion, is giving the shooter the next visible target.

And I have my doubts that lay people with personal gun permits are going to use good judgment in a crowded environment.   The kind of judgment that can minimize collateral damage.  Police undergo years of training to react properly in such situations.  How can the average person hope to do anywhere near as well?

I am not a gunowner, but I don't particularly want to pursue extremely restrictive gun laws.  I would however ask for common sense.  Stand Your Ground (pertaining to Trayvon Martin), the Castle Doctrine (expanded home protection rights), and the use of assault weapons... those things do not meet the common sense test.

Minnesota has always been a haven for hunters and sportsmen.  Even though I do not participate in such things, I do think it is a legitimate pursuit that needs to be protected.  But, again, common sense needs to prevail.

The rationalization of guns for protection and the ever increasing need for more and more firepower needs to be examined carefully.  A gunman, as the in the case of the Aurora shooter, that can legally acquire a massive arsenal via the internet and retail shops should be raising red flags on our radar. 

It is probably correct that the person in Aurora would have found a way to acquire the weapons he wanted and still pursue his tragic quest....even if we had tougher gun laws in place.

But do we have to make it so easy?

-Dave Mindeman, mnpACT! blog

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