http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/17/politics/senate-guns-vote/index.html
I think this is shameful.
While I don't consider myself a died-in-the-wool 'gun nut' I own several guns and have a concealed carry permit.
I have no problem with being checked out whenever I buy a gun and would have no problem with a ban on large capacity magazines. It would not inhibit unduly any legitimate use or transaction.
Where I am living right now (South Carolina) there are much more stringent requirements for gun ownership than those proposed in the federal legislation and I don't see that this presents a problem for anyone.
e.g. Here in SC you must attend a day long training session (costs about $100) in order to get a concealed carry permit and I think that is fine. It means that real nuts can be weeded out (they will flunk you if you are a kook or otherwise dangerous).
No... I don't think any of the recent massacres would have been avoided by any of the federal restrictions that have been proposed. In all instances the guns that were used could still be obtained under the proposed legislation.
But we have to do something. It is just too easy for criminals and crazy people to obtain modern weapons and use them to slaughter innocent people.
I really thought the Connecticut massacre would push the country over the line but apparently not.
Actually it is the ease with which criminals etc. can get guns that makes me carry one. When I got my carry permit I was very hesitant to actually carry my gun, and I thought long and hard about doing so. The worst thing that could possibly happen to me is for me to accidentally kill an innocent person. To me that is a worse risk than being killed by an attacker because I am unarmed.
My solution has been to obtain professional training in handling and using my weapons so that I don't pose a risk to the innocent.
If I thought that the government could protect me I would gladly give up my guns and my carry permit. It would actually be something of a relief.
But they can't protect me and I MUST protect myself if I am going to avoid being a victim.
It's a hell of a world.
(sorry to be off topic)
