# 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:** 16
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2017, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/301 "2017-10-03T13:09:00Z")
> [@DragonAsh](#): > > The technology is obviously available to make guns safer. It’s insane that there’s greater security preventing anybody from using my iPhone than there is any random gun. > Fingerprint sensors are available that restrict who can operate cars, why can’t this be incorporated for guns? Want to buy a gun? Great, the gun will only work if your fingerprints activate it. > Right there you eliminate dozens of deaths each year from kids finding Daddy’s loaded gun and killing their brother etc. Somebody steals your gun? No worries, it can’t shoot anybody without your fingerprints. > > There’s really no good reason _not_ to implement this. Are you sure most Americans want it? If not, that’s a pretty good reason. I honestly don’t know. Do you? ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2017, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/302 "2017-10-03T13:14:27Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Adding to this, perhaps semi-auto triggers could be designed (and required) to make even garage modification cranks/bump-stocks impossible – something like springs/levers that make it physically impossible to move the trigger faster than a finger could. Is this objectionable to anyone? Would it matter? What’s the actual difference? I’m asking because I don’t know. 100 rounds a minute for a semi and 500 for a fully automatic? Something like that? ---
**Author:** ![DragonAsh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DragonAsh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DragonAsh)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2017, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/303 "2017-10-03T13:21:16Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Are you sure most Americans want it? If not, that’s a pretty good reason. Um, no it’s not. Initially, most Americans disagreed with the civil rights movement. Fifty years ago, most Americans didn’t agree with mixed-raced marriages. Twenty years ago, most Americans didn’t agree with making smoking illegal in public places. I’m sure most Americans would want to drive any speed they want. We don’t do that, because traffic regulations keep everyone safe. ---
**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 3, 2017, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/304 "2017-10-03T13:22:39Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Would it matter? What’s the actual difference? I’m asking because I don’t know. 100 rounds a minute for a semi and 500 for a fully automatic? Something like that? With an inexpensive trigger crank added to your semi-automatic rifle you can [shoot a lot faster than 100 rounds per minute](https://youtu.be/jif4Wo0LDX8?t=108) (some speculate that the Las Vegas shooter may have had this on some guns but so far it is just guesses since it the details have not been released by police). ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2017, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/305 "2017-10-03T13:32:46Z")
> [@DragonAsh](#): > > Um, no it’s not. Initially, most Americans disagreed with the civil rights movement. Fifty years ago, most Americans didn’t agree with mixed-raced marriages. Constitutional issues are not decided by a simple majority. You’re proposing a new law, which is decided by a simple majority. So no, if most people don’t want this law, then that’s a good reason to not implement it. Unless you have some problem with democracy. I’m sure you have lots of ideas about how to improve society. Thankfully, you are not in charge. > [@](#): > > wenty years ago, most Americans didn’t agree with making smoking illegal in public places. > > I’m sure most Americans would want to drive any speed they want. We don’t do that, because traffic regulations keep everyone safe. I’m sure you’re just making that shit up. ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2017, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/306 "2017-10-03T13:33:45Z")
> [@DragonAsh](#): > > The technology is obviously available to make guns safer. It’s insane that there’s greater security preventing anybody from using my iPhone than there is any random gun. > Fingerprint sensors are available that restrict who can operate cars, why can’t this be incorporated for guns? Want to buy a gun? Great, the gun will only work if your fingerprints activate it. > Right there you eliminate dozens of deaths each year from kids finding Daddy’s loaded gun and killing their brother etc. Somebody steals your gun? No worries, it can’t shoot anybody without your fingerprints. > > There’s really no good reason _not_ to implement this. I feel neutral on this, however I’d say this requirement wouldn’t hinder a mass-shooter in the slightest degree. ---
**Author:** ![DragonAsh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DragonAsh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DragonAsh)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2017, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/307 "2017-10-03T13:35:54Z")
> [@Evan\_Drake](#): > > I feel neutral on this, however I’d say this requirement wouldn’t hinder a mass-shooter in the slightest degree. Probably not. But it would hinder / prevent thousands of other deaths. Isn’t that a good enough place to start? ---
**Author:** ![DragonAsh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DragonAsh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DragonAsh)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2017, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/308 "2017-10-03T13:43:06Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I’m sure you’re just making that shit up. GALLUP: Should smoking in all public places be made totally illegal, or not? 2001 Jul: Yes: 39% No: 60% 2003 Jul: Yes: 31% No: 68% 2005 Jul: Yes: 39% No: 60% Some laws are passed, of course, even though the vast majority of people are indifferent. And in any event, since a majority of Americans say they are in favor of some form of gun control - and this barely qualifies as ‘gun control’; it merely makes them safer - yes, it seems like a pretty good idea to implement. I’m pretty sure gun makers could implement it tomorrow if they wanted, no law required. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2017, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/309 "2017-10-03T13:49:33Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Would it matter? What’s the actual difference? I’m asking because I don’t know. 100 rounds a minute for a semi and 500 for a fully automatic? Something like that? I think it would matter in the initial seconds – an automatic burst into a crowd would, presumably, kill and injure many more people in the initial chaos before it disperses than several semi-automatic shots. After that, there may not be much of a difference. ---
**Author:** ![DragonAsh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DragonAsh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DragonAsh)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2017, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/310 "2017-10-03T13:55:59Z")
Actually it turns out one company is already selling [something similar](http://fortune.com/2016/01/14/identilock-gun-lock-sentinl/). > [@](#): > > It’s called “Identilock” and it’s a system that completely covers the trigger of a gun, unlocking it only to a set of authorized fingerprints. Recognizing a gun owner’s prints in about a second, the clamshell lock falls off the trigger, and the gun is ready for use. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2017, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/311 "2017-10-03T14:09:28Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Ah, there’s that thread that **manson1972** was talking about. Yes, I can see that in that thread the issues of repealing the Second Amendment and actually outlawing all guns got well and truly tangled up together. I SAID it was poorly worded. 🙂 Perhaps someone could create a NEW poll, with bettering of the words and such. Preferably not drunk when they create it. ---
**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 3, 2017, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/312 "2017-10-03T14:21:25Z")
> [@DragonAsh](#): > > Actually it turns out one company is already selling [something similar](http://fortune.com/2016/01/14/identilock-gun-lock-sentinl/). > [@](#): > > But what happens when an owner’s finger is wet, muddy or bloody? Those are questions that haven’t been fully worked out yet. So there’s potential for interference. And yet it’s being sold. From the picture, it’s obviously not suited for concealed carry. Very limited [compatibility.](https://getidentilock.com/apps/help-center) Nothing but 5-star testimonials on website. There’s no figure on failure rate. ---
**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 3, 2017, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/313 "2017-10-03T14:34:08Z")
> [@SaneBill](#): > > “An armed society is a polite society”. …said by a fictional character, written by an author very early in his career, and oft repeated by many without any evidence to back it up. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2017, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/314 "2017-10-03T14:41:48Z")
> [@SaneBill](#): > > “An armed society is a polite society”. Corollary: our inner cities during the 1980s and 1990s should have been some of the most polite places on earth. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2017, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/315 "2017-10-03T14:46:09Z")
“what happened in Las Vegas is in many ways a miracle.” - Trump I like miracles that **don’t** leave dozens dead and hundreds wounded. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2017, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/316 "2017-10-03T14:53:51Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > It’s that we can’t have the conversation anymore, and the right wing in America has seen to it that this is the state of political discourse now. It’s the realization among those on the left and in the center that nothing will change because every time someone proposes talking about political issues like guns, terrorism, or anything else, the message gets distorted with trollery, memes, and blithering on talk radio. Last evening I perused the internet for a while in my morbid curiosity about how truly deplorable some of my fellow citizens are. And I came to a purely anecdotal conclusion that the real gun fanatics are incapable of considering a middle position. They immediately jump to “liberals want to take my guns!” and there is nothing – nothing – that will talk them down from that position. Apparently, if one single person is denied access to a gun, the next day all guns will be confiscated. How do you ever reach any consensus on gun laws when the powers-that-be constantly stoke that fear? ---
**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 3, 2017, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/317 "2017-10-03T14:56:20Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > “what happened in Las Vegas is in many ways a miracle.” - Trump > > I like miracles that **don’t** leave dozens dead and hundreds wounded. > [@RTFirefly](#): > > Go stick your head in a pig, bucko. I’m pissed as hell that we allow people to keep mowing down people like this. (ETA: That shouldn’t be considered ‘political.’) **People are dead today that God wanted to live full and happy lives.** And why? Because of a handful of loud and well-financed fanatics with a religious belief that any restriction on firearms is a bad restriction. > > Maybe you don’t understand sarcasm, but I’d have thought that came through loud and clear in the thread title. > > Collectively?! Most Americans want more restrictions on guns, but the fanatical minority stops us at every turn. Yeah, and most of us don’t want that risk. Yeah, sickening that we’re against all this death and injury. (A bullet hole through a human body is a horrible thing even for a survivor, just ask Steve Scalise.)Why should I ask about the particular asshole? Didn’t you read what you just wrote? _You just said_ that “By allowing guns we know some crazy motherfucker like this is going to go off the deep end sometime and do things like this.” Given that we know _someone_ is going to do shit like this if gun laws are the way they are, what’s important about the particulars of a given shooter? > > Well, your point was hardly clear at first; it certainly looked like the usual “we can’t do anything about X because Y is a bigger problem” crap. > > Now I see you’re saying “we as a society have chosen to accept the risks of having all these guns.” I suppose by certain definitions, that’s so, but most of the _people_ in this society haven’t. So why didn’t He perform a miracle that didn’t leave dozens dead and hundreds wounded? ---
**Author:** ![DragonAsh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DragonAsh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DragonAsh)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2017, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/318 "2017-10-03T14:58:26Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > So there’s potential for interference. And yet it’s being sold. > > From the picture, it’s obviously not suited for concealed carry. > > Very limited [compatibility.](https://getidentilock.com/apps/help-center) > > Nothing but 5-star testimonials on website. > > There’s no figure on failure rate. Yeah, you’re right. Clearly this first attempt isn’t PERFECT, so let’s just give up. :rolleyes: Fucking piece of shit, you are. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2017, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/319 "2017-10-03T15:01:55Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > “what happened in Las Vegas is in many ways a miracle.” - Trump > > I like miracles that **don’t** leave dozens dead and hundreds wounded. Mr. Trump’s one and only Tweet of the day (guess he had to make his plane): > [@the President of these Untied Snakes](#): > > I am so proud of our great Country. God bless America! Could someone who speaks Trump kindly explain what the fuck he’s talking about? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2017, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804/320 "2017-10-03T15:02:16Z")
> [@aurora\_maire](#): > > They immediately jump to “liberals want to take my guns!” and there is nothing – nothing – that will talk them down from that position. Even on this board, we’re “gun grabbers” to the pro-gun types here. I’m hardly at that point, but there’s a part of me that asks: if we actually advocated taking their guns, what accusations could they throw at us that they’re not already saying? I guess they could say, “see, we were right all along!” but no. They’ve been lying all along. We might ultimately make their lies true, if we get fed-up enough, but their lies now and in the past are still lies. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-record-u-s-a-u-s-a-u-s-a/797804.md?page=17)