# A new record! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 2, 2017, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804 "2017-10-02T13:09:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![DragonAsh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DragonAsh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DragonAsh)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/181 "2017-10-02T19:11:58Z")
This would be hilarious if it wasn’t so sad. Jim Jefferies - Gun Control, parts [1](https://youtu.be/0rR9IaXH1M0) & [2](https://youtu.be/a9UFyNy-rw4) ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/182 "2017-10-02T19:15:08Z")
Well, it is also well known that the solution to high rates of teen pregnancy is more fucking. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/183 "2017-10-02T19:19:02Z")
I think the damaged brain that decides homicide and suicide are the best option is the object society needs to figure out. Banning a subset of items will just shift tactics. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/184 "2017-10-02T19:19:07Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > And that robust Second Amendment is immune to your grabby little fingers. So no matter how many sit-ins, marches, chants, and lies you spew, the **law is not going to change**. > > That’s reality. Get used to it. It is? Heller was a 5-4 decision and Stevens excoriated Scalia over his “strained” reading of the amendment. Republicans had to steal a nomination from Obama to be sure they maintained a 5-4 majority. Then consider the damage Trump is doing to conservatives as a political entity and their chances in future elections. Then consider the changing face of the electorate and what the young people want versus older people (the median age of the average Fox News viewer is 68). If that makes you feel comfortable then great! ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/185 "2017-10-02T19:20:33Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Well… having a trained, practiced, ex-police or ex-military security officer on-site, with a licensed and registered firearm, to provide an immediate response and coordinate with the police and other first responders, is not necessarily the \*worst \*idea. A lot of the rentacops in the US are _current_ police officers. I agree with **shunpiker** that it’s not an issue of gun availability: Switzerland or Israel have a lot of guns and don’t see this kind of thing. It’s a matter of how guns are perceived by many of those who own them: as the biggest national symbol, rather than as a tool with specific and well-defined uses. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/186 "2017-10-02T19:20:58Z")
Holy crap! :eek: How many times do we have to go through this? Won’t SOMEBODY cut taxes on the top 10% of earners already? Noooo, of course not, that would not fit with liberals’ vision of an omnipotent, totalitarian, Stalinist state, and they don’t care how many people have to die on the way there. How long until The Panacea can be applied to this nation’s problems? What does it take to overcome the obstructionism of America-hating liberals? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/187 "2017-10-02T19:25:36Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > I think the damaged brain that decides homicide and suicide are the best option is the object society needs to figure out. Banning a subset of items will just shift tactics. Except that the link that **Evan Drake** just gave us shows that > [@](#): > > studies have shown that the estimated number of cases of mental illness hasn’t gone up significantly while the number of mass shootings in the U.S. has skyrocketed. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/188 "2017-10-02T19:26:19Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > I think the damaged brain that decides homicide and suicide are the best option is the object society needs to figure out. Banning a subset of items will just shift tactics. You are right. However, the other tactics are, in general, a sucky way to kill large numbers of people. [Like driving a big truck into pedestrians](http://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/10/02/17/five-injured-in-canada-vehicle-stabbing-attacks) Very bad - 5 injured. Or knife/machete attacks. Very nasty. People are killed or injured. Usually the attacker can be subdued before many are hurt though. And he can’t throw knives from the 32nd floor. Or bombs. There are ways to track bomb material though, and in the US, this has been fairly effective since the Oklahoma city bombing terrorists. So the problem may lie with the easy access to a tool that is alarmingly effective at killing people very quickly from a distance, and is not monitored and tracked very well (if at all) ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/189 "2017-10-02T19:27:16Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > When I see even one bad editing, bad fact checking report from Newsweek that puts guns or gun rights in a mistakenly better light, I will be more inclined to accept that possibility. When each “mistake” helps the same agenda, the possibility of neutral, honest error becomes less credible. The LibTards at WaPo continue their assault on the Second Amendment by carefully explaining the difference between a semi-automatic and an automatic firearm, including the legal issues surrounding both. The Post’s gun grabbing rhetoric is plainly visible in statements like… > [@](#): > > It is important to note the distinction between a semiautomatic rifle and a fully automatic weapon. . . . While semiautomatic weapons are often incorrectly referred to as “machine guns,” an automatic weapon’s mechanical system — used to feed, eject and ready the next round — is what makes it a machine gun. Outrageous! Why hasn’t the NRA stepped in to put an end to this liberal reporting on how guns work!!! What’s worse, the WaPo article is written by a former Army infantryman; meaning that the lame stream media has kidnapped honorable soldiers and brainwashed them into writing about “facts” that the public might read! [Link.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/10/02/video-from-las-vegas-suggests-automatic-gunfire-heres-what-makes-machine-guns-different/) ---
**Author:** ![DragonAsh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DragonAsh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DragonAsh)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/190 "2017-10-02T19:27:38Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > I think the damaged brain that decides homicide and suicide are the best option is the object society needs to figure out. Banning a subset of items will just shift tactics. Interestingly, some societies have figured out that removing guns from the equation goes a long way towards solving both problems. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/191 "2017-10-02T19:28:12Z")
> [@aurora\_maire](#): > > **Bolding mine**. Then why doesn’t your side shut the fuck up with the screaming, fear-mongering “OMG, liberals are going to take our guns!”? (Cite: any statement by the NRA.) (post shortened) Because elected Democrats historically introduce gun bans? ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/192 "2017-10-02T19:28:22Z")
> [@vivalostwages](#): > > I find I can get along quite well without a gun but not so much without a car. I think the number of people who have no access to public transportation in the US is a similar proportion to those who need to hunt for food. I could live my life without a car quite easily and use my rifles much more frequently than I use my car. Of course, both are for fun for me. > [@Ravenman](#): > > Lookit all these people having fun! (And perhaps a few fleeing for their lives, but mostly this is pure recreation!) > > [Link](http://pictures.4ever.eu/fun/traffic-jam-154350). Looks like recreation to me. I’ve never seen any place that has traffic like that and doesn’t have public transportation alternatives it’s not as fun as a car and being in control of your time. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/193 "2017-10-02T19:29:10Z")
One discussion that I think we as a society are gradually starting to have is about age and gun ownership. This shooter was only 64, but conditions like, e.g., early-onset dementia can start at that age. (Note that we know no actual data as yet about his mental condition; this is just an example of one of the factors that can be involved in irrational behavior.) We are coming to acknowledge that age affects one’s ability to handle a car, for instance, and recognizing the need to individually test older drivers for possible impairment. Handling a gun is another potentially dangerous activity that we may need to apply similarly heightened scrutiny to in the case of older participants. ---
**Author:** ![Norse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a9adbd/32.png) [@Norse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Norse)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/194 "2017-10-02T19:29:12Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > all those countries are groaning under the weight of tyrannical governments, their disarmed and oppressed people powerless to overthrow them. We are? Huh. It’s kinda weird I’ve never noticed that. Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/195 "2017-10-02T19:29:31Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Lying and distortion are their go-to tactics…and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope. Fanatical devotion to the Pope? WTF are you talking about? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/196 "2017-10-02T19:32:22Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Fanatical devotion to the Pope? WTF are you talking about? Ignore it. A sense of humor is required. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/197 "2017-10-02T19:33:30Z")
> [@DragonAsh](#): > > Interestingly, some societies have figured out that removing guns from the equation goes a long way towards solving both problems. Thus the shift tactics sentence. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/198 "2017-10-02T19:34:22Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > The LibTards at WaPo continue their assault on the Second Amendment by carefully explaining the difference between a semi-automatic and an automatic firearm, including the legal issues surrounding both. (post shortened) It’s about time that “the LibTards at WaPo” understood the difference between a semi-automatic and automatic (machine gun) firearm. I wonder why it’s taken them so long for them to ask people who are actually familiar with firearms? ---
**Author:** ![Norse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a9adbd/32.png) [@Norse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Norse)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/199 "2017-10-02T19:35:36Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > A lot of the rentacops in the US are _current_ police officers. > > I agree with **shunpiker** that it’s not an issue of gun availability: Switzerland or Israel\*) have a lot of guns and don’t see this kind of thing. It’s a matter of how guns are perceived by many of those who own them: as the biggest national symbol, rather than as a tool with specific and well-defined uses. \*) and Fennoscandinavia Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/200 "2017-10-02T19:41:00Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > (post shortened) > > It’s about time that “the LibTards at WaPo” understood the difference between a semi-automatic and automatic (machine gun) firearm. I wonder why it’s taken them so long for them to ask people who are actually familiar with firearms? Well, look at this. The third dumbest poster on the Dope stops using the term “lame stream media” for one post, just to prostrate himself on the altar of firearms technology. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804.md?page=11)