# Did the Parkland students really get what they wanted? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 11, 2018, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-parkland-students-really-get-what-they-wanted/812221 "2018-04-11T15:59:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-parkland-students-really-get-what-they-wanted/812221/101 "2018-04-26T22:56:54Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > What they wanted was actual security. > > What they got was security theater. So they got the TSA also? ---
**Author:** ![JXJohns](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jxjohns/32/469_2.png) [@JXJohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JXJohns)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-parkland-students-really-get-what-they-wanted/812221/102 "2018-04-26T23:50:04Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > Which is impressive, because I want stricter gun control. If that “slippery slopes” all the way to full registration and confiscation, then I guess I’ll have to give up my firearms as well. **Hell, almost a third of NRA members (miniscule number that is) are on board with a national firearm purchase registry.** I hadn’t heard that before. Do you have a cite? ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2018, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-parkland-students-really-get-what-they-wanted/812221/103 "2018-04-27T05:59:03Z")
> [@JXJohns](#): > > I hadn’t heard that before. Do you have a cite? [Cite](http://time.com/5197807/stricter-gun-laws-nra/) Relevant part: > [@Time Article](#): > > Among those who don’t own guns, 79 percent support a firearms-purchase database, but only half of gun owners back such a proposal. The level of support drops to 31 percent among NRA members. ---
**Author:** ![JXJohns](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jxjohns/32/469_2.png) [@JXJohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JXJohns)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2018, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-parkland-students-really-get-what-they-wanted/812221/104 "2018-04-27T20:25:28Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > [Cite](http://time.com/5197807/stricter-gun-laws-nra/) > > Relevant part: I’m no expert with statistics, lets get that out of the way first. 803 people were sampled. If there are 5 million members of the NRA in the US currently (2%), that means that 16 or so people _self identified_ as members on this survey correct? Of those, 5 of the self identified NRA participants of the poll would have to agree to a purchase registry, whatever that is. Is that really enough to say that 31% of NRA members support such a thing? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-parkland-students-really-get-what-they-wanted/812221/105 "2018-04-28T01:46:52Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > I guess not, _after_ the massacre. Seeking gun control now is like locking the barn door after somebody walked in and shot all the horses. There is no proposed gun control law that would have kept Cruz from legally buying a gun. Background checks aren’t much use if you can keep doing bad shit and the police never charge you. ---
**Author:** ![DtypeJag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@DtypeJag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DtypeJag)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-parkland-students-really-get-what-they-wanted/812221/106 "2018-05-04T00:03:16Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > I think the kids were callously manipulated by those willing to take advantage of their youthful energy and naivety to further a repugnant agenda. Glad to see their “movement” starting to fizzle out, much like all that “Occupy” nonsense a few years ago. The surest sign that adults with their organizations have not thus far infiltrated the student movement is the lack of mass produced signs in the demonstrations. The signs they had were all homemade and generally very clever. If only they keep it this way. A small thing I know but very telling. ---
**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:** [May 4, 2018, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-parkland-students-really-get-what-they-wanted/812221/107 "2018-05-04T15:47:22Z")
> [@JXJohns](#): > > I’m no expert with statistics, lets get that out of the way first. 803 people were sampled. If there are 5 million members of the NRA in the US currently (2%), that means that 16 or so people _self identified_ as members on this survey correct? Of those, 5 of the self identified NRA participants of the poll would have to agree to a purchase registry, whatever that is. Is that really enough to say that 31% of NRA members support such a thing? 71 (11.6%) of the respondents [identified as NRA members](https://www.monmouth.edu/polling-institute/documents/monmouthpoll_us_030818.pdf/). ---
**Author:** ![JXJohns](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jxjohns/32/469_2.png) [@JXJohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JXJohns)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2018, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-parkland-students-really-get-what-they-wanted/812221/108 "2018-05-04T22:21:18Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > 71 (11.6%) of the respondents [identified as NRA members](https://www.monmouth.edu/polling-institute/documents/monmouthpoll_us_030818.pdf/). Thanks, so 22 people who self identified are in favor of something. Is that truly enough of a sample to make the claim that 31% of the NRA support something? ---
**Author:** ![Ranb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@Ranb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranb)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-parkland-students-really-get-what-they-wanted/812221/109 "2018-05-06T16:02:53Z")
I attended a March For Our Lives townhall meeting in Tacoma a while back. The organizers had several politicians there who were on the gun control side of the debate and non on the gun rights side. Unfortunately it was little more than a soapbox for the anti-gun politicians to voice their opinions. Derek Kilmer even voiced his opinions on using the no-fly list (with it’s lack of due process) to deny certain civil rights; he refused to explain why despite being asked. It was a good attempt by mere students to bring their concerns to the public though. Ranb ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-parkland-students-really-get-what-they-wanted/812221/110 "2018-05-06T16:25:30Z")
> [@JXJohns](#): > > Thanks, so 22 people who self identified are in favor of something. Is that truly enough of a sample to make the claim that 31% of the NRA support something? If you’re liberal and have an agenda to push? Hell, yeah, of course it does. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-parkland-students-really-get-what-they-wanted/812221/111 "2018-05-06T18:51:37Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > There is no proposed gun control law that would have kept Cruz from legally buying a gun. Background checks aren’t much use if you can keep doing bad shit and the police never charge you. So? Pass a relatively mild law now, let it sink in, then pass a tougher one later. Your thinking is too short-term. It will take some time for the U.S. to grow up. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-parkland-students-really-get-what-they-wanted/812221/112 "2018-05-06T19:02:40Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > If you’re liberal and have an agenda to push? Hell, yeah, of course it does. Feel free to provide numbers that support your assertion. ---
**Author:** ![JXJohns](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jxjohns/32/469_2.png) [@JXJohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JXJohns)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-parkland-students-really-get-what-they-wanted/812221/113 "2018-05-06T19:12:38Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > Feel free to provide numbers that support your assertion. I am not aware of official polls conducted by the NRA of their membership so to make the claim that any % of members support anything is a guess at best. To make the claim that 31% of NRA members support a gun registry, which is currently illegal at the Federal level AND against everything the NRA stands for, based upon the opinion of 22 self reported members is a stretch at best. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-parkland-students-really-get-what-they-wanted/812221/114 "2018-05-06T20:47:12Z")
> [@JXJohns](#): > > I am not aware of official polls conducted by the NRA of their membership so to make the claim that any % of members support anything is a guess at best. To make the claim that 31% of NRA members support a gun registry, which is currently illegal at the Federal level AND against everything the NRA stands for, based upon the opinion of 22 self reported members is a stretch at best. No numbers, just supposition? I thought liberals were the ones pushing an agenda. Nothing in the NRA’s mission statement (what they stand for) says nothing about a registry. That it’s illegal is irrelevant - we have a body solely dedicated to writing law to determine legality, and another to ensure said law is constitutional. Until there are other numbers, this poll is the best we can rely on. Let’s amend the original statement to almost a third of NRA members **polled** support a national gun registry, though the entire NRA membership is a ridiculously insignificant population. Even if **all** NRA members were against (or for) said registry, the movement in the overall numbers would scarcely be noticed among background noise. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2018, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-parkland-students-really-get-what-they-wanted/812221/115 "2018-05-06T21:12:06Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > So? Pass a relatively mild law now, let it sink in, then pass a tougher one later. Your thinking is too short-term. It will take some time for the U.S. to grow up. We understand what the word “slippery slope means”. So, no. You’re free to get run over or stabbed or whatever threat awaits you while you while away the time waiting for a police response. ---
**Author:** ![JXJohns](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jxjohns/32/469_2.png) [@JXJohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JXJohns)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-parkland-students-really-get-what-they-wanted/812221/116 "2018-05-07T03:12:14Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > No numbers, just supposition? I thought liberals were the ones pushing an agenda. Nothing in the NRA’s mission statement (what they stand for) says nothing about a registry. That it’s illegal is irrelevant - we have a body solely dedicated to writing law to determine legality, and another to ensure said law is constitutional. > > Until there are other numbers, this poll is the best we can rely on. Let’s amend the original statement to almost a third of NRA members **polled** support a national gun registry, though the entire NRA membership is a ridiculously insignificant population. Even if **all** NRA members were against (or for) said registry, the movement in the overall numbers would scarcely be noticed among background noise. [Nah, nothing at all out there regarding registry.](https://www.nraila.org/get-the-facts/registration-licensing/) My point is that these numbers are nothing to rely on. It may be a wet dream of a pro gun control type to _think_ that 22 self identified NRA members in a poll represent around 1.5 million members of an organization who, besides what your woeful attempt at research found, is quite strongly against the idea of a registry. If the NRA membership numbers are so “ridiculously insignificant”, why all of the hate and attention? ---
**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:** [May 7, 2018, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-parkland-students-really-get-what-they-wanted/812221/117 "2018-05-07T13:56:47Z")
> [@JXJohns](#): > > Thanks, so 22 people who self identified are in favor of something. Is that truly enough of a sample to make the claim that 31% of the NRA support something? > [@Clothahump](#): > > If you’re liberal and have an agenda to push? Hell, yeah, of course it does. Yeah, those slimy liberals and their [agendas](http://money.cnn.com/2018/05/06/media/president-trump-approval-rating-blacks/index.html). So, no, not really, but it depends on whether other polls reflect similar numbers. I didn’t look to see if Monmouth had asked the same question in other months. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2018, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-parkland-students-really-get-what-they-wanted/812221/118 "2018-05-08T10:14:19Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > We understand what the word “slippery slope means”. So, no. You’re free to get run over or stabbed or whatever threat awaits you while you while away the time waiting for a police response. When seconds count, an ambulance is minutes away. Thank God there’s an amateur with a Bowie knife here to give you open heart surgery _now_! ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-parkland-students-really-get-what-they-wanted/812221/119 "2018-05-09T09:14:20Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I’m dismissing the adults who are using them to further a political agenda on the ramp-up to the next election. The children are being used. Have you spoken to any of them? Asked them their opinion on this? “Used” has such a negative connotation. Like, I’m “using” my submissive to clean my house while I’m at work, but she gets off on it _hard_, so it kinda works for both of us. If I stopped “using” her, she’d be less happy about it. (If that made you feel uncomfortable, then I’m very sorry, but quite a few of your posts in this thread have made me quite uncomfortable as well, so consider this an opportunity to reflect.) So similarly, I really doubt that the parkland survivors are unhappy about being “used”. You’re sneaking this implication in there that they’re being manipulated or don’t know what they’re doing. But I think it’s pretty clear they know exactly what they’re doing, they’re doing it on purpose, and they appreciate the support. That’s not a bad thing. That’s not “brainwashing”. Nobody told these kids, “Hey, you should throw in your support behind gun control”; rather, they said, “We want to speak out in favor of gun control” and a bunch of other people who also favor gun control said, “Hey, us too, have some money to help spread your message”. Now, the open question is, why did they start wanting to support gun control? Was it: A) Liberal brainwashing, or B) Someone used a gun to commit mass murder on their friends The world may never know. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-parkland-students-really-get-what-they-wanted/812221/120 "2018-05-09T15:50:40Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > We understand what the word “slippery slope means”. So, no. You’re free to get run over or stabbed or whatever threat awaits you while you while away the time waiting for a police response. Heck, if your country civilized itself to the level of, say, Canada on this issue, you’d be better off. It’ll just take a series of gradual steps to do so. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-parkland-students-really-get-what-they-wanted/812221.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-parkland-students-really-get-what-they-wanted/812221.md?page=7)