# No, you don't need a semiautomatic rifle **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 11, 2021, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705 "2021-02-11T17:51:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/202 "2021-02-13T04:36:24Z")
:o I wonder why our ecosystems are collapsing and coyotes are breeding out of control! ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/203 "2021-02-13T04:47:01Z")
FWIW I don’t think it’s primarily or even largely because of regulated hunting. Rather look at the metastasis of McMansions into what used to be farm and field. ---
**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:** [February 13, 2021, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/204 "2021-02-13T04:54:43Z")
Just for further information Canada allows the hunting of [wolves](https://www.ontario.ca/page/hunting-licence-non-residents-ontario#section-2), [mountain lions](https://www.timberkingoutfitting.com/mountain-lion-hunts/), and [bison](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_bison_conservation_in_Canada). So the US isn’t exactly an outlier here. Hunting actually does a lot for species conservation and there are many conservation groups that pour money into habitat preservation and expansion with the primary goal of hunting (and fishing). In Colorado hunting provides as much funding for outdoor recreation as skiing does according to a commercial they are currently airing. ---
**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:** [February 13, 2021, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/205 "2021-02-13T05:03:22Z")
Bison, wolves, are mountain lions are not classified as endangered. So what ARE you talking about? ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/206 "2021-02-13T05:03:36Z")
I’ve always thought that the blood sports would be a lot more sporting if the animals could shoot back … [![](https://i.imgur.com/w3Co7bO.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/w3Co7bO.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/207 "2021-02-13T05:12:20Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Bison, wolves, are mountain lions are not classified as endangered. So what ARE you talking about? Correct - the livestock industry has a hell of a lobbying arm. ---
**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:** [February 13, 2021, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/208 "2021-02-13T05:26:57Z")
Of course, you would have a cite that the IUCN is being unduly influenced by the livestock industry, don’t you? ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/209 "2021-02-13T06:12:20Z")
I’m not an expert on the matter, but **[the slaughter of wolves is certainly rife with political shenanigans](https://www.predatordefense.org/wolves.htm)**. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/210 "2021-02-13T06:44:27Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > Of course, you would have a cite that the IUCN is being unduly influenced by the livestock industry, don’t you? Same with bison: > **[On Bison Science, Bison Politics, and the Rebisoning of the West](https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2010/04/bison-science-bison-politics-and-rebisoning-west5594)** > > A new IUCN publication reports on the status of wild and conservation-herd bison, makes bison conservation recommendations, and stirs controversy over emotion-charged issues such as the possible "rebisoning" of large areas of former bison range. The IUCN isn’t the problem; they recognize the issues caused by the livestock industry. The problem is US Fish and Wildlife and how they pretend that the existence of cattle bison hybrids on ranches is reason to delist the bison bowing to pressure from the livestock industry and their overblown fear of disease spreading from bison to cattle as well as their dislike of competition for grazing land; these are the reasons why the bison isn’t covered by the Endangered Species Act. Very detailed PDF from the IUCN detailing the issues involved below. Relevant info can be found starting at the bottom of page 65. And in fact, they do specify that commercial pressure was a major factor in not listing the bison as Threatened in 2005. [https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.iucn.org/sites/dev/files/import/downloads/bisonstatusreport\_web.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiD49Kdn-buAhXMuZ4KHXRtCVwQFjACegQIBBAZ&usg=AOvVaw2jfXCULSRr644rDuLR8guj](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.iucn.org/sites/dev/files/import/downloads/bisonstatusreport_web.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiD49Kdn-buAhXMuZ4KHXRtCVwQFjACegQIBBAZ&usg=AOvVaw2jfXCULSRr644rDuLR8guj) ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/211 "2021-02-13T06:46:51Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > FWIW I don’t think it’s primarily or even largely because of regulated hunting. Rather look at the metastasis of McMansions into what used to be farm and field. What percentage of open land do you think has been converted into McMansions? ---
**Author:** ![Brayne\_Ded](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Brayne\_Ded](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brayne_Ded)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/212 "2021-02-13T11:04:44Z")
“Do you need a “not” in there?” Ah, yes. In the long tradition of typos this is almost on a par with “Thou shalt commit adultery.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Brayne\_Ded](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Brayne\_Ded](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brayne_Ded)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/213 "2021-02-13T11:05:49Z")
“I’ve always thought that the blood sports would be a lot more sporting if the animals could shoot back …” That already exists as an option. It’s called the army. ---
**Author:** ![Brayne\_Ded](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Brayne\_Ded](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brayne_Ded)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/214 "2021-02-13T11:16:07Z")
“I know why- because the USA is smack dab in the middle of ALL nations of homicides per capita.” An appropriate moniker for this topic. But, the USA is way out in front for homicides per capita for developed nations. And, above all, for gun-related deaths. The worldwide statistics include various Third World countries that are essentially failed states ruled by the law of the gun. "Yep, when anti gun peoples arguments are frustrated on all front, they start adding in suicides to inflate the “gun deaths’ figure.” I assume you want to ignore the fact that easy access to guns makes it easier for people to kill themselves. While the suicide rate in the USA is, AFAIK, about average worldwide, the number of gun suicides is proportionately very high. The thing is, gun suicides are not a “cry for help,” they are nearly always successful first time, unlike drug overdoses, which is the method of exit of choice in countries with little private gun ownership. As for mass shootings, AR-15s and the like are the choice for snipers, who shoot as many people as they can from a distance, and semiautomatic pistols and pump guns for when it gets close up and personal. At least one of these categories is banned or limited in many countries around the world, the UK bans all three (except for .22 target pistols). ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/215 "2021-02-13T17:07:37Z")
> [@MrMrmrmr](#): > > Don’t be racist, POC are responsible for their actions, you have to include them. _ **Moderating** _ This is in response to a question about developed first world countries, and it’s utterly inappropriate and insulting to respond with “don’t be racist”. Knock it off. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/216 "2021-02-13T17:12:07Z")
> [@mordecaiB](#): > > Aren’t you the guy… (Rest of post snipped) _ **Moderating** _ This is aggressive and overly personalized for this forum. If you want to attack a poster, feel free to go to the BBQ Pit. Not here. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/217 "2021-02-13T17:28:52Z")
> [@Brayne\_Ded](#): > > But, the USA is way out in front for homicides per capita for developed nations. And, above all, for gun-related deaths. Yeah, what is a “developed” nation? Whatever nation fits the cherry picked stats. Mexico, and most of South America are by most definitions “developed nations” but they leave them out. Hmm- _"No True Scotsman. "_ Damn all cherry picking and damn the racism behind crap like “…_Third World countries that are essentially failed states_ …”- that’s **trump talk.** Every nation has human beings in it, _people_- to lightly ignore their homicide stats by using “Third World countries” and “failed states” is not the kind of thing I will accept. **Suicide is a basic human right.** If you need to end your pain, that is a option I am not gonna close off for you. And those who would do so are evil. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/218 "2021-02-13T18:10:21Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yeah, what is a “developed” nation? Whatever nation fits the cherry picked stats. Mexico, and most of South America are by most definitions “developed nations” but they leave them out. Hmm- _"No True Scotsman. "_ Nice strawman argument - no, a developed nation is one that ranks “very high” on the Human Development Index. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/219 "2021-02-13T18:14:52Z")
**Modnote** : So much wrong with this post. We’re not going let a debate on suicide creep into this thread, it is contentious enough. Going from the side debate touching on developed nations to fail states is not going to happen either. Back off of this stuff and other derailments now or be warned and evicted from the thread. ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/220 "2021-02-13T19:45:47Z")
Everything in that post is stuff he has posted about on these forums. Especially how all his friends and family are unemployed moochers. Great Debates use sites all the time to back what they write, what better site than his own words? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/221 "2021-02-13T21:02:12Z")
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