# 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:** 9
**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 12, 2021, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/161 "2021-02-12T22:48:44Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > In my ideal world we’d keep guns away from the crazies and the rest of us would get to do what we want as long as we don’t hurt anyone. Sadly, we don’t live in an ideal world and never will. “Crazies” is not some black and white category that is easily defined or easily identified. And furthermore, any “normal” person can become one of the “crazies” under a sufficient level of persistent stress, and it absolutely can happen to anyone. I’ve always liked this quote because it’s very true: “If you have a country saturated with guns – available to people when they are intoxicated, angry or depressed – it’s not unusual guns will be used more often,” said Rebecca Peters, a Johns Hopkins University fellow specializing in gun violence. “This has to be treated as a public health emergency.” > [@Oredigger77](#): > > I can also go buy an uzi and unlimited ammo without a waiting period so I can go play this weekend. And if you can, so can millions of others. Some of them unhinged, mentally ill, angry, intoxicated, and otherwise prone to violence. It’s a good thing they don’t have to put up with a waiting period before going off on a murder spree. > [@Oredigger77](#): > > Because it’s fun. So the US has to put up with a gun death rate that is completely off the charts compared to similar wealthy countries, and have more guns per capita than any other country on the planet, with the least regulation, all so that you can have “fun”. ---
**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 12, 2021, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/162 "2021-02-12T22:50:22Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > said Rebecca Peters, a Johns Hopkins University fellow specializing in gun violence. “ **This has to be treated as a public health emergency**.” My bold. You think that’s a good idea? Have you seen how the Right treats COVID? … In fact, they already treat this like a public health emergency! ---
**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 12, 2021, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/163 "2021-02-12T22:51:50Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > So the US has to put up with a gun death rate that is completely off the charts compared to similar wealthy countries, and have more guns per capita than any other country on the planet, with the least regulation, all so that you can have “fun”. As has been discussed ad nauseum in this thread. ~500 deaths a year is a rounding error on US deaths. Even automatic weapons have killed something on the order of 100 people since the end of prohibition. If people like you were really trying to lower deaths in the US you’d be more focused on getting rid of lawn mowers, personal water craft or lowering the speed limit to 55. As it is you’re just going after something you’re scared of. ---
**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 12, 2021, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/164 "2021-02-12T22:52:14Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > So the US has to put up with a gun death rate that is completely off the charts compared to similar wealthy countries, and have more guns per capita than any other country on the planet, with the least regulation, all so that you can have “fun”. > **[‘No Way To Prevent This,’ Says Only Nation Where This Regularly Happens](https://www.theonion.com/no-way-to-prevent-this-says-only-nation-where-this-r-1819578287)** > > ROSEBURG, OR—In the hours following a violent rampage in southwestern Oregon in which a lone attacker killed nine individuals and seriously injured seven others, citizens living in the only country where this kind of mass killing routinely occurs... ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/165 "2021-02-12T22:53:10Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > In my ideal world we’d keep guns away from the crazies and the rest of us would get to do what we want as long as we don’t hurt anyone. I’m glad we’re in agreement. Of course, you can’t possibly keep guns away from the crazies if everyone else can go buy an uzi to play with this weekend. ---
**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 12, 2021, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/166 "2021-02-12T22:53:12Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > As has been discussed ad nauseum in this thread. ~500 deaths a year is a rounding error on US deaths That’s a very easy thing to say when it is someone else doing the dying. ---
**Author:** ![MrMrmrmr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrmrmrmr/32/5828_2.png) [@MrMrmrmr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrMrmrmr)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/167 "2021-02-12T22:55:17Z")
The truth of the matter is that the United States is number sixty-six on the list of countries in terms of mass shooting rates per capita. ---
**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 12, 2021, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/168 "2021-02-12T22:55:58Z")
> [@MrMrmrmr](#): > > The truth of the matter is that the United States is number sixty-six on the list of countries in terms of mass shooting rates per capita Cite? And how many of the countries above it are developed first world nations? ---
**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 12, 2021, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/169 "2021-02-12T22:58:02Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > As has been discussed ad nauseum in this thread. ~500 deaths a year is a rounding error on US deaths. Even automatic weapons have killed something on the order of 100 people since the end of prohibition. ~500 deaths a year? You’re off by only 38,158. So now we’re just into total denial? [![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/1514E/production/_107405368_gun_people_killed_v4_-3x640-nc.png) ](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/1514E/production/_107405368_gun_people_killed_v4_-3x640-nc.png) Original story: > **[How many US mass shootings have there been in 2023?](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41488081)** > > Explaining some of the key statistics behind gun ownership and attacks linked to guns in the US. ---
**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 12, 2021, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/170 "2021-02-12T22:58:48Z")
I think he means rifles alone. ---
**Author:** ![MrMrmrmr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrmrmrmr/32/5828_2.png) [@MrMrmrmr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrMrmrmr)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/171 "2021-02-12T23:00:42Z")
[https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/mass-shootings-by-country](https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/mass-shootings-by-country) Don’t be racist, POC are responsible for their actions, you have to include them. ---
**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 12, 2021, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/172 "2021-02-12T23:01:00Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > Even automatic weapons have killed something on the order of 100 people since the end of prohibition. Automatic weapons have also been illegal for years. What do ya know? It worked! ---
**Author:** ![MrMrmrmr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrmrmrmr/32/5828_2.png) [@MrMrmrmr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrMrmrmr)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/173 "2021-02-12T23:02:35Z")
Why do some of the people in my gun club have full auto guns? Fill out a form, get your $200 tax stamp and you can too. ---
**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 12, 2021, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/174 "2021-02-12T23:03:28Z")
> [@MrMrmrmr](#): > > [Mass Shootings by Country 2024](https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/mass-shootings-by-country) > Don’t be racist, POC are responsible for their actions, you have to include them. What a “great” cite, picking a specific date range to make it look like Norway has a worse gun problem than the US due to a single mass shooting. I have no idea why you think what I said has anything to do with POC - poor countries have higher crime rates due to their poverty, not due to the color of their citizens. ---
**Author:** ![MrMrmrmr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrmrmrmr/32/5828_2.png) [@MrMrmrmr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrMrmrmr)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/175 "2021-02-12T23:07:53Z")
The Onion article claimed that the USA is “the only nation where it happens”. Lies don’t make good irony. ---
**Author:** ![MrMrmrmr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrmrmrmr/32/5828_2.png) [@MrMrmrmr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrMrmrmr)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/176 "2021-02-12T23:10:40Z")
Do you want to refute my claim that the CMP shows my need for a high power rifle? Read up about it and come back. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/177 "2021-02-12T23:28:12Z")
> [@MrMrmrmr](#): > > Do you want to refute my claim that the CMP shows my need for a high power rifle? Well, “needs” don’t generally apply to programs that are completely optional. You don’t need a high power rifle because you don’t need to be part of the CMP. None of us do. That’s the difference between a need and a want. Granted there’s some grey area there, but CMP Competitions aren’t in it. ---
**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 12, 2021, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/178 "2021-02-12T23:35:28Z")
> [@MrMrmrmr](#): > > Do you want to refute my claim that the CMP shows my need for a high power rifle? No, but we should definitely stop wasting taxpayer dollars on that militarist-fellating joke of a program. ---
**Author:** ![MrMrmrmr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrmrmrmr/32/5828_2.png) [@MrMrmrmr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrMrmrmr)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/179 "2021-02-12T23:39:13Z")
Are you unwilling to gain rifleman skills so you can be part of the militia that defends the USA if needed? ---
**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 12, 2021, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/180 "2021-02-12T23:39:35Z")
Your highly distorted cherry-picked stats on mass shooting are complete bullshit. Looking at real data backed by multiple cites, it’s like this: > The United States has had the most mass shootings of any country.[25][26][27][28][29] In one 2017 study published in Time magazine by criminologist Adam Lankford, it was estimated that 31% of public mass shootings occur in the US, although it has only 5% of the world’s population. > [Mass shooting - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_shooting) Also this: [https://edition.cnn.com/2015/08/27/health/u-s-most-mass-shootings/index.html](https://edition.cnn.com/2015/08/27/health/u-s-most-mass-shootings/index.html) By why cherry-pick mass shootings at all, when overall gun death rates are probably more important. The US loses big time here, too: > **[List of countries by firearm-related death rate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_firearm-related_death_rate)** > > This is a historical list of countries by firearm-related death rate per 100,000 population in the listed year. > Homicide figures may include justifiable homicides along with criminal homicides, depending upon jurisdiction and reporting standards. Not included are homicides, suicides, accidental deaths, or justifiable deaths by any means other than by firearm. > Based upon various metrics alongside calculations over the course of multiple years, Singapore has the lowest firearm-related death rat... [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705.md?page=10)