Since I’ve been labeled as ‘ignorant’ and as having been ‘spoon fed’ false information regarding the AR-15,  I decided to do some more research on the gun that has become a favorite among those wishing to perpetrate mass shootings. If my facts are wrong, kindly let me know (like an adult because you will never teach anyone anything by being a belligerent asshole), and prove it. Because I can site where I got my information –  can you?

AR – 15 facts:

  • Can shoot more bullets than a standard gun, in less time
  • Can be modified (as it was in the Aurora shooting) to use a magazine that holds as many as 100 bullets
  • Is, essentially, the civilian version of the M-16, minus the ‘automatic’ capabilities.
  • The M-16, the model for the AR -15, was designed specifically to “kill mass numbers of people with maximum efficiency and ease”
  • Assault rifles are easier to purchase than hand guns in states with lax gun laws, like Florida.
  • The AR-15 has become a favorite of mass shooters; having been used in Sandy Hook; Aurora Colorado; Roseburg Oregon; San Bernardino
  • The perpetrators of the Mass shootings came from all walks of life – the only thing they had in common was the ease with which they obtained a weapon that was modeled after a gun the military uses to kill our enemies.

I may be ignorant regarding the mechanics of the gun itself – But facts are facts. You can’t dispute them just because you happen to like guns. The mechanics of the gun DO allow for mass shootings – it’s why this type of gun has become a favorite among mass shooters. Now, before you label me as a ‘spoon fed ignoramus,’ maybe you should read on – Because I’m not a zealot out to take guns away from responsible gun owners.

Or, you can stop reading here and go into a knee-jerk reaction fueled rant, which only proves you to be willfully ignorant, not me.

I will agree that the intent of some is not the intent of all.  And not all people who purchase a gun of any kind, even an AR-15, do so with the intent of harming others. However, we DO need to agree on the fact that not everyone is a ‘law abiding gun owner.’

Have you ever seen an interview with folks who knew a mass shooter? You know, after the fact? Have you ever seen anyone who knew one of these monsters say “wow, him? That’s surprising, he was so nice and sane.” More often than not, the reaction is “That nut job? How the hell did he get his hands on a gun?”

So there’s a problem, and the problem doesn’t lie with responsible gun owners. I have never heard anyone blame responsible gun owners. And I have yet to hear one law maker, who has said they would want to take away guns from responsible gun owners.

What I don’t understand is why, responsible gun owners would lose their shit at the idea that folks want to regulate gun ownership so that only people like them – law abiding citizens who would never shoot up a school, or a movie theater, or a mall, or night club – would own guns? What’s the problem with that? No one wants to take away YOUR guns. God bless, stay safe.

What I’m saying is that when a guy has a background that would more than likely put him on the ‘no fly’ list, he probably shouldn’t be able to buy a gun – any gun – let alone an AR-15.

What I’m saying is that when a guy has been deemed mentally unstable (ie: Sandy Hook), he should not have been admitted to a gun range – let alone live in a house where guns are not secure.  (Post- massacre, it was revealed that people had warned his mother to secure her guns – She knew what her son was – If she was too ‘ashamed’ of her son’s mental illness, maybe a fear of accountability for any crimes that may be committed with her guns would have prompted her to secure them properly and not let her mentally unstable son have access to them without her supervision.  Who knows, maybe she’d still be alive – Those children may still be alive).

What I’m saying is, that there might be a benefit to screening people who want to own guns the same way the military and law enforcement screen people before they’re handed guns.

And before you go into that whole “if they didn’t get it legally they would have gotten them illegally” bullshit, here’s another factoid for you – most guns purchased illegally are done so via the purchasing and/or transport of guns through states with lax gun laws. We need some uniformity when it comes to gun laws. If a violent asshole with terrorist ties can’t by a gun in New York, he shouldn’t be able to buy one in Florida either. If a person doesn’t pass the NYC screening for gun ownership, he shouldn’t be able to then buy a gun at a gun show in Texas.

And no, I don’t live in a dream world where uniform laws would prevent ALL deaths by shooting, but lives will be saved. Even one life, would be good. Doing nothing isn’t helping. Arguing the same stupid arguments back and forth isn’t helping.

I personally have no use for guns. I don’t feel a need to buy or own a gun. And yes, I’ve gone shooting. And yes, I had fun shooting at a target, and I was damned good at it too. See?

me

And if I wanted to own a gun, legally, where I live, I would have to jump through major hoops and pay a lot of money to do so, but I’d do it. You know why? Because, I know that everyone else in my state who owns a gun, legally, has done the same thing.

Many gun advocates use the car analogy (when it suits them, because after all, a driver’s license isn’t a right under the Constitution, right?), so let me take a stab at it.

If gun owners had to go through the same process that car owners did, they’d have to:

  • Take classes to learn how to shoot as well as basic maintenance and storage of guns (can be waived if you were raised around guns and can pass test to prove you know what you’re doing)
  • Take a written test to prove they understand the laws of gun ownership
  • Take another test to prove they know how to use a gun (safety, loading, shooting)
  • Become licensed
  • Register their guns
  • Understand they will lose their right to gun ownership if they do not abide by the laws of gun ownership.

The only people who should be against the above are either evil assholes who want to go shoot innocent people, or, people who make money off the sale of guns. Responsible gun owners should have nothing to fear.

Ever wonder why, despite the fact that a majority of citizens in this country actually WANT background checks, are okay with stricter gun laws, and would like to see congress take some kind of action to keep guns out of the hands of potential evil doers, (See: http://www.pollingreport.com/guns.htm) Congress, has repeatedly shot down any attempt for some kind of compromise?

Because they’re being paid – That’s why. They don’t care how many innocent people die. They don’t care how many of their constituents actually agree that some common sense laws should be strengthened, or at the very least, laws already on the books should be enforced.  They line their pockets with blood money provided by the NRA, who in turn get their money from the folks who make your guns. Again, this isn’t being ‘spoon fed’ anything other than actual facts – and just because I don’t want to hear about the ‘liberal media’ I’ll cite this article posted by a more right-leaning site: http://www.businessinsider.com/nra-money-congress-republicans-2012-12

You may not agree with my view point. And I can respect that. But my view point is based on actual facts. There are no absolutes in a country that is supposed to be democratic. You want what you want, but unless you can see the point being made by those who don’t agree with you, then it is you who are the mindless one, not me.