# Gun Control Poll Closed - That Sucks **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [March 3, 2010, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-poll-closed-that-sucks/531183 "2010-03-03T21:43:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-poll-closed-that-sucks/531183/21 "2010-03-04T00:38:41Z")
That sounds like an awful lot of work, Airman. Best to just to let troublemakers effectively ban polls on controversial topics. eta: come to think of it, maybe we should have banned comic book threads instead of [suspending poor dropzone](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=554170). ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-poll-closed-that-sucks/531183/22 "2010-03-04T00:42:38Z")
Can’t a guy buy a link around here? -XT ---
**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 4, 2010, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-poll-closed-that-sucks/531183/23 "2010-03-04T00:44:48Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > Can’t a guy buy a link around here? > > -XT [Here you go.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=554119) ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-poll-closed-that-sucks/531183/24 "2010-03-04T00:45:25Z")
Thanks muchly. 🙂 -XT ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-poll-closed-that-sucks/531183/25 "2010-03-04T01:43:22Z")
Seriously, though, I see and know that tempers run high on this issue. But a well crafted/worded poll would be helpful, I think. Any chance the OP could insist on **absolutely no comment** , voting only, and enlist a mod to help with that? No posts. No explaining your vote, nada. Who knows? Maybe we could all learn something without all the frothy rhetoric getting in the way. Just a suggestion, sorry if I’m stirring the pot, as it were. ---
**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 4, 2010, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-poll-closed-that-sucks/531183/26 "2010-03-04T01:44:55Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Seriously, though, I see and know that tempers run high on this issue. But a well crafted/worded poll would be helpful, I think. > > Any chance the OP could insist on **absolutely no comment** , voting only, and enlist a mod to help with that? No posts. No explaining your vote, nada. > > Who knows? Maybe we could all learn something without all the frothy rhetoric getting in the way. > > Just a suggestion, sorry if I’m stirring the pot, as it were. Good idea. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-poll-closed-that-sucks/531183/27 "2010-03-04T01:58:41Z")
Polls should not be restricted to one forum. Put a poll in GD and GD decorum could rule. Put a poll in the Pit, and Pit decorum could rule. Putting a poll only in a forum in which neither strong debate nor wide open hammering is permitted simply reduces discussion that otherwise could be enjoyed. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-poll-closed-that-sucks/531183/28 "2010-03-04T04:53:45Z")
I agree, **Muffin**. Though I think **Czarcasm** should have properly enforced the rules in this case, I think the fear of a poll avalanche should have abated enough by now to allow appropriate polls in appropriate forums. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-poll-closed-that-sucks/531183/29 "2010-03-04T05:24:18Z")
> [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](#): > > But man, I have had it with the egregious insults. Is it not enough to express your opinion without taking shots at others? Not when other people have incorrect opinions, no. (I’m only half-joking.) ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-poll-closed-that-sucks/531183/30 "2010-03-04T05:44:50Z")
I do find it surprising that a moderator would close a thread on the grounds that he fears his warnings would be ignored. I’m even more surprised that a mod would admit to such a failure, and even try to make a virtue of it. You closed an interesting thread simply because you thought you wouldn’t be able to handle it. Shame on you. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-poll-closed-that-sucks/531183/31 "2010-03-04T07:39:58Z")
I’d support a no comment poll for certain things, as long as the poll is formatted with a “pick the best answer” style, and still gives an opt-out choice (so you know the difference between people who just didn’t want to answer, and those that did but couldn’t choose). This particular poll I wish could happen here without people arguing, but I don’t see it happening. But, with a no-posting poll, they’d at least have to create a new thread to do so, and they could do it in an appropriate forum. In this case, probably the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-poll-closed-that-sucks/531183/32 "2010-03-04T18:39:21Z")
Thank you all for your posts. My point was that I am fully aware of the volatile nature of any debate on Gun Control on this board. For that reason, many people simple avoid those threads like the plague. However, I thought by creating an ANONYMOUS poll, I (and others) could get a read on what Dopers think. Many Dopers who might not otherwise enter the fray might at least register their opinion without having to be beaten up (no matter how they voted) in comments about how they voted. It was going pretty well - I believe we had over 200 who clicked on the poll and it was starting to get interesting when it was closed. I am not sure how much you can “fiddle” with the poll feature, but at least in this case, it would have been better to have a simple poll where NOBODY could respond, unless they started a new thread somewhere else to discuss the results of the anonymous poll. There you could bitch about results, or bitch about the poor choice of options or whatever - but at least in the poll itself, you would just be able to see the results. Just an idea. ---
**Author:** ![tacoloco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tacoloco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tacoloco)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-poll-closed-that-sucks/531183/33 "2010-03-04T19:35:36Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > I do find it surprising that a moderator would close a thread on the grounds that he fears his warnings would be ignored. I’m even more surprised that a mod would admit to such a failure, and even try to make a virtue of it.. Are you really surprised at anything Czarcasm does? The moderation on that forum absolutely, positively sucks donkey balls. You can’t actually talk about much of anything because it may be declared a _debate_ and you’ll get chastised for it. Another classic Czarcasm fuckup. Worst. Mod. Ever. ---
**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 4, 2010, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-poll-closed-that-sucks/531183/34 "2010-03-04T21:55:15Z")
The thread has been reopened, and infractions have been given to **RTFirefly** and **Airman Doors, USAF**. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2010, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-poll-closed-that-sucks/531183/35 "2010-03-04T22:09:17Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > The thread has been reopened, and infractions have been given to **RTFirefly** and **Airman Doors, USAF**. Thanks! Still think it might be a good idea to have the ability to create polls, but not be able to comment on them. Appreciate the re-connect. ---
**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 4, 2010, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-poll-closed-that-sucks/531183/36 "2010-03-04T22:16:06Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > Thanks! > Still think it might be a good idea to have the ability to create polls, but not be able to comment on them. > Appreciate the re-connect. You’re welcome. I figure that with enough infractions to those who refuse to learn the difference between IMHO and Great Debates, the problem will eventually solve itself. ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2010, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-poll-closed-that-sucks/531183/37 "2010-03-05T00:53:43Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Because in threads that are highly volatile like that one, posters treat such warnings as chickenshit. > For past examples see such threads that contained multiple warnings that were ignored by the same people over and over again. > For a more recent example, see the thread that _this_ thread is about-a warning _was_ given…and promptly ignored. Maybe a suspension will drive home the point that you are serious about the warning. Really. Rules are rules and it is just not right to punish someone for someone else’s sins. If some people can’t keep their heads out of their asses in some topics, then you moderate THEM. Not punish the people interested in the thread by locking it. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2010, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-poll-closed-that-sucks/531183/38 "2010-03-05T01:57:56Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > You’re welcome. I figure that with enough infractions to those who refuse to learn the difference between IMHO and Great Debates, the problem will eventually solve itself. Hey, it worked for Manny in GQ. I’m all for it. I really hate threads ever being closed, short of legal threats or threats of actual physical violence. I’d much rather see more warnings being given out than see threads closed because adults can’t control their tempers. That said, I really think that allowing polls in more forums would be a good idea. At minimum they should be allowed in GD and maybe CS (“What’s your favorite Sean Connery Bond Film?”, “How do you like your eggs cooked”?, etc) ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2010, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-poll-closed-that-sucks/531183/39 "2010-03-05T02:01:52Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > maybe CS (“What’s your favorite Sean Connery Bond Film?”, “How do you like your eggs cooked”?, etc) They are allowed in CS. There are several active on the front page now. The “Poll” function is activated in ATMB, CS, TGR, and IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2010, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-poll-closed-that-sucks/531183/40 "2010-03-05T02:16:50Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > Is it possible to create a poll where NOBODY gets to respond with comments, period? > If not, maybe that should be a new feature. I like this one (DMark’s). And the question should be simple; Should guns be regulated? O Yes O No Vote only, no replies. One would have to really think about the consequences of either option. It’s not an easy question. Peace, mangeorge [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-poll-closed-that-sucks/531183.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-poll-closed-that-sucks/531183.md?page=3)