# Anonymous Gun Control Poll **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 1, 2010, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-gun-control-poll/530835 "2010-03-01T06:07:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2010, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-gun-control-poll/530835/21 "2010-03-01T23:57:53Z")
I, for one, am against gun laws written by _idiots_. That includes “people who don’t know anything about guns,” and “people who don’t _care_ about guns, as long as passing laws concerning guns makes them look good politically.” Hell, I think I’m personally more offended by gun laws that are _badly designed_ than ones that are _restrictive_. At least for the latter I can feel some kind of professional respect…it’s like comparing Caligula to Genghis Khan. (Never let it be said I don’t stand up for my principles. They’re not the _same_ principles as everyone else, but I do have them.) ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2010, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-gun-control-poll/530835/22 "2010-03-01T23:59:06Z")
> [@whole\_bean](#): > > Wait, what? > (These guns have been restricted since 1934) + (These guns have only been used in two violent crimes since then) /= Pointless restriction. If anything it indicates that the restriction has been very successful in keeping the restricted weapon out of the hands of criminals. What am I missing? No, you misunderstood everything I said. And that’s OK, I’ll explain it again, but I don’t want to start a debate so I’ll try to stick to the facts with as little editorializing as possible until the end. Automatic weapons have been controlled since 1934 by the National Firearms Act. Via a fairly arduous process it is possible to obtain an automatic weapon, the process of which I have explained in some detail before if you’re interested but is not worth getting into here. So far so good, I hope. From 1934 to 1986 it was possible to get a brand-new, right off the assembly line automatic weapon. The NFA regulations still existed, mind you, but you could buy one upon BATFE approval. The weapon was of course required to be registered with the BATFE. However, this changed in 1986. Congress passed the Firearm Owners Protection Act, which notably allowed for people to transport weapons through states with extremely restrictive laws and forbade that state’s law enforcement from arresting you on a weapons charge for just passing through. At the 11th hour, via voice vote, Rep. William Hughes of New Jersey added an amendment that closed the aforementioned registry to new weapons. Therefore, any automatic weapon made after May 1986 cannot be registered and thus cannot be possessed by civilians. Now, I think where you got confused was you conflated the two laws. I have no particular objection to the National Firearms Act of 1934. That ship has long since sailed, it will almost certainly never be repealed and I’m resigned to it. If registration is required to own an automatic weapon, so be it. You are arguing that the NFA was effective, and I find that hard to argue with. The law that I say should be repealed is the Hughes Amendment to the FOPA of 1986, the one that closed the registry. There were zero murders between 1934 and 1986 with legally possessed automatic weapons, and only two since. Legally owned automatic weapons have not been an instrument of crime since my grandparents were kids. So what was the pressing need to ban any further registry? There wasn’t one. It was a bad law then and it remains so today. That is what I think should be repealed. I hope that helped you understand what I was saying. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2010, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-gun-control-poll/530835/23 "2010-03-02T00:27:46Z")
In other words, if we had 52 years of effective controls by the NFA restrictions prior to 1986, and 2 murders since 1986, the 1986 restrictions were effectively pointless, and should be repealed. My vote was that things are fine the way they are. The Constitution guarantees an individual right to own guns, but it’s up to the states to determine the right mix of legislation to appropriately regulate it in their areas. Personally I tend to think that the vast, vast majority of anti-gun people have never fired one, never owned one, and flat out don’t know what they’re talking about. Plus, they tend to think that just because some assholes can’t be trusted with them, then no one can. Which is absurd; plenty of other things are equally deadly, but nobody has any objection to them. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2010, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-gun-control-poll/530835/24 "2010-03-02T00:40:00Z")
Assuming we’re talking about the US, I think handguns should be banned, but I’m not in favor of actually banning them as long as the second amendment remains in place. > [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > With respect to that, I voted for the last choice, _All guns should be legal to own_, acknowledging that what we have now is perfectly acceptable while noting that legally owned and registered automatic weapons have been restricted since 1934 and have been implicated in only two murders, one of which was a [contract killing by a Dayton police officer in 1988](http://www.guncite.com/gun_control_gcfullau.html). To my way of thinking, that essentially deems the restriction pointless and as such it should be lifted. That would seem to suggest the restriction is working. [QUOTE=bump] Personally I tend to think that the vast, vast majority of anti-gun people have never fired one, never owned one, and flat out don’t know what they’re talking about. Plus, they tend to think that just because some assholes can’t be trusted with them, then no one can. Which is absurd; plenty of other things are equally deadly, but nobody has any objection to them. [/QUOTE] Conversely, pro-gun people tend to think that just because _they_ are responsible gun owners everyone else is. There’s always a few people in gun threads saying, “I would never do such-and-such,” which is great, but not exactly pertinent when somebody else just made the news for doing it themselves. ---
**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:** [March 2, 2010, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-gun-control-poll/530835/25 "2010-03-02T01:07:31Z")
[Moderator Note]I’m just going to say this _once_: If this turns into a gun control debate, I’m shutting this thread down. Gun control debates belong in Great Debates, not here.[/Moderator Note] ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2010, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-gun-control-poll/530835/26 "2010-03-02T01:17:08Z")
A caveat–I have shot guns before in the past, and love target rifle especially. I do not own a gun and never will, however, although my stepfather owned plenty. I feel like the “well-regulated” portion of the 2nd amendment gets overlooked a lot. We’ve already decided that militia = pretty much anyone, but there’s not as much regulation as I’d like. And what I’d like is easy: You can own whatever gun you want, but you have to have a license. If you don’t have a license to purchase the gun, you can’t buy it. Convicted felons cannot get a license. To apply for the license, you have to take a certain number of hours of gun safety courses and pass a written test, just like learning to drive. After that point, you can keep your guns and do whatever you please with them, with two exceptions: If your gun is stolen, you must report it to police within 24 hours of finding out, because if your gun is used in a crime, you lose your license, and if your gun is ever found in the possession of an unlicensed user or used in an accidental shooting, you lose your license. You can get your license at 18. The vast majority of responsible gun owners would be okay with this. The gun-nuts, however, would think it one step away from being bar-coded by the gubmint. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2010, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-gun-control-poll/530835/27 "2010-03-02T01:54:56Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > That would seem to suggest the restriction is working. I will simply redirect you to post 22. No debate, just information and clarification. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2010, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-gun-control-poll/530835/28 "2010-03-02T01:58:29Z")
> [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > I will simply redirect you to post 22. No debate, just information and clarification. Ah, gotcha. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2010, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-gun-control-poll/530835/29 "2010-03-02T04:52:00Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > No need for comments, unless you feel so inclined or feel I missed an option. Things are fine as they are. You didn’t mention a location, so… yeah. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2010, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-gun-control-poll/530835/30 "2010-03-02T15:52:56Z")
Here in Oklahoma, I believe that the status quo is just fine. If I were in Chicago, I would have voted differently. ---
**Author:** ![Terraplane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Terraplane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terraplane)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2010, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-gun-control-poll/530835/31 "2010-03-02T16:42:53Z")
I voted ‘things are fine as they are’ but I was thinking of my area, Texas. If I lived somewhere with stricter gun laws I’d want those restrictions removed. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-gun-control-poll/530835/32 "2010-03-03T14:52:00Z")
I voted “not banned, but stricter regulation” because I do believe in some sort of competency licensing, which I think currently is only needed for CW, and then only some states? Anyway, I was answering on what I thought of the US’s laws, I think that SA laws could stand with being a little loosened for handguns. ---
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-gun-control-poll/530835/33 "2010-03-03T17:18:12Z")
I voted “not banned but stricter regulation”, but what I mean is closest to **Drain Bead** above–all guns (even currently banned ones) are legal with appropriate training, storage, and licensing. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-gun-control-poll/530835/34 "2010-03-03T17:25:27Z")
I’m cool with the way things are. I would, however, punish people who commit crimes against others (with or without guns) more severely. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-gun-control-poll/530835/35 "2010-03-03T17:58:31Z")
Not only should all guns be legal, but ownership and proficiency should be required of all adults. Concealed carry should be allowed, open carry should be encouraged. ---
**Author:** ![BetsQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/fbc32d/32.png) [@BetsQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BetsQ)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-gun-control-poll/530835/36 "2010-03-03T18:56:24Z")
I waffled between the first three, but ended up choosing stricter regulations because I’m not wholly opposed to hunting for meat. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-gun-control-poll/530835/37 "2010-03-03T19:00:20Z")
Interesting that with 234 votes cast so far (not including “no opinion”), 218 support a total ban or further restrictions, and 216 support status quo or elimination of restrictions. No wonder it’s so divisive. ---
**Author:** ![Algher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-gun-control-poll/530835/38 "2010-03-03T19:04:00Z")
I went pro-gun extreme because of where I live - California. CA has strong gun control, and I oppose it. If I were living in Montana, I might vote for leave things as they are. There are some state level differences that influence how I feel in a poll like this. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-gun-control-poll/530835/39 "2010-03-03T19:05:28Z")
I’d argue for the registration of handguns, in addition to current laws. Let semi-automatic rifles remain unregistered, just so that the gun nuts know that if the U.S. turns into Amerika, the jack-booted thugs won’t know where all the guns are, and the gun nuts can fantasize about being able to fight back. But handguns? They’re all about either committing crimes, or being able to defend oneself against criminals. Might catch a few more of the criminals if they were registered, and it wouldn’t hinder those law-abiding citizens who feel the need of a handgun for self-defense. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2010, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-gun-control-poll/530835/40 "2010-03-03T20:21:12Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > I’d argue for the registration of handguns, in addition to current laws. Let semi-automatic rifles remain unregistered, just so that the gun nuts know that if the U.S. turns into Amerika, the jack-booted thugs won’t know where all the guns are, and the gun nuts can fantasize about being able to fight back. > > But handguns? They’re all about either committing crimes, or being able to defend oneself against criminals. Might catch a few more of the criminals if they were registered, and it wouldn’t hinder those law-abiding citizens who feel the need of a handgun for self-defense. Way to go. We managed for a few days to avoid the invective, but I knew someone would kick it off. Looks like you win the prize. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-gun-control-poll/530835.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anonymous-gun-control-poll/530835.md?page=3)