# Taking "You kids get off my lawn" a step too far **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 16, 2011, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-you-kids-get-off-my-lawn-a-step-too-far/585662 "2011-06-16T04:16:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-you-kids-get-off-my-lawn-a-step-too-far/585662/141 "2011-06-17T18:28:28Z")
> [@PlainJain](#): > > A noble cause indeed but it’s not a new idea. As Czarcasm noted above it’s been tried but it’s not working as well as some might want - me included. The reason is that criminals by definition break the law. I’ll be the first to admit that there would _probably_ be less death in the world if guns did not exist. But the same could be said about automobiles, cigarettes, alcohol and many other dangerous things that society recognizes that people have a right to. > > In the end, it is bad people that are the problem - not guns. There’s also the fact it’s a political football, and the loudest advocates on both sides are actively hamstringing solutions by taking every moderate idea proposed and either shitting on it or trying to use it as an excuse to drag the rules further their way. It’s not a slippery slope, it’s a tug of war on a slip-n-slide. ---
**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:** [June 17, 2011, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-you-kids-get-off-my-lawn-a-step-too-far/585662/142 "2011-06-17T18:37:58Z")
> [@bup](#): > > Wait, this is the pit. We can’t have people supporting the second amendment who acknowledge gun ownership doesn’t actually reduce the amount of crime, but who nevertheless calculate the tradeoffs and figure it’s worth it. > > Such people can be talked to…reasoned with. That’s entirely inappropriate. Who said that? Nothing said to this point could make you draw that conclusion. Of course, even noting that the trend in the liberalization of gun laws, the increase in gun ownership, and the continuing implementation of “shall issue” carry laws has coincided with a considerable reduction in crime isn’t the same as “proof”, what with correlation not being the same as causation. Still, it’s enough to indicate to me that at worst liberalized gun laws are neutral, they certainly haven’t made things any worse. If you want reasoned discussion, try being reasonable. All rhetoric does is cause people to solidify their positions. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-you-kids-get-off-my-lawn-a-step-too-far/585662/143 "2011-06-17T18:39:44Z")
The Second Amendment has nothing to do with hunting, actually. ---
**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:** [June 17, 2011, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-you-kids-get-off-my-lawn-a-step-too-far/585662/144 "2011-06-17T18:45:18Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > The Second Amendment has nothing to do with hunting, actually. Sure it does > [@](#): > > A well regulated militia (and deer hunters, and folks protecting their houses from the increasing menace of home invasion, and people who like to shoot little paper targets) being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. ---
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-you-kids-get-off-my-lawn-a-step-too-far/585662/145 "2011-06-17T19:01:20Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Sure it does And we’re officially off in the weeds, ladies and gentlemen. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-you-kids-get-off-my-lawn-a-step-too-far/585662/146 "2011-06-17T19:21:06Z")
**Cheesesteak** was obviously just making a joke in a thread which has not lacked for those. If we ran off into the weeds, it was with **Czarcasm** and **PlainJane** talking irrelevantly (but with the _appearance_ of having a point) about fireworks and hunting. ---
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-you-kids-get-off-my-lawn-a-step-too-far/585662/147 "2011-06-17T19:33:34Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > **Cheesesteak** was obviously just making a joke in a thread which has not lacked for those. I’d be more confident of that if the same argument hadn’t been made seriously in every gun thread on this board ever. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-you-kids-get-off-my-lawn-a-step-too-far/585662/148 "2011-06-17T19:34:06Z")
I think the assclown should have the entire book thrown at him. Aggravated assault, assault with a deadly weapon, attempted murder, etc, etc, etc, the whole nine yards. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-you-kids-get-off-my-lawn-a-step-too-far/585662/149 "2011-06-17T19:37:57Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Tossing in the absolutes to stall the conversation, are we? I didn’t ask for “perfection”. Is there any way to make the situation _better_? If you’re genuinely interested in advancing the conversation, your last sentence above would have been a better response than the rhetorical “And how’s that working out so far?”. ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-you-kids-get-off-my-lawn-a-step-too-far/585662/150 "2011-06-17T19:37:58Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Hey now, let’s all stay calm, OK? There’s no need to get bent out of shape… we can work this thing out, I promise. Now _please_, just put the gun down first, so we can talk… No, i’m thinkin’ not. Get down on all fours, bow your head, then _I’ll_ talk. You mangy curr! ---
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-you-kids-get-off-my-lawn-a-step-too-far/585662/151 "2011-06-17T19:59:47Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > I think the assclown should have the entire book thrown at him. Aggravated assault, assault with a deadly weapon, attempted murder, etc, etc, etc, the whole nine yards. I don’t think anyone’s seriously disagreeing with that. Hell, I’m a supporter of castle doctrine type defense laws and I think this idiot should be on the hook for attempted murder. ---
**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:** [June 17, 2011, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-you-kids-get-off-my-lawn-a-step-too-far/585662/152 "2011-06-17T20:03:47Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > If you’re genuinely interested in advancing the conversation, your last sentence above would have been a better response than the rhetorical “And how’s that working out so far?”. That wasn’t rhetorical. I was asking him how the system as it now stands is working, in his opinion. Just for you, if I ask a rhetorical question, I’ll label it as such, o.k.? ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-you-kids-get-off-my-lawn-a-step-too-far/585662/153 "2011-06-17T20:12:14Z")
> [@Zeriel](#): > > I don’t think anyone’s seriously disagreeing with that. Hell, I’m a supporter of castle doctrine type defense laws and I think this idiot should be on the hook for attempted murder. I dunno; the ability to legally kill annoying people could do an awful lot of good in the world. ---
**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:** [June 17, 2011, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-you-kids-get-off-my-lawn-a-step-too-far/585662/154 "2011-06-17T20:16:30Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > I dunno; the ability to legally kill annoying people could do an awful lot of good in the world. The lamb asks the lion, “Hey, what’s for dinner?” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-you-kids-get-off-my-lawn-a-step-too-far/585662/155 "2011-06-17T20:48:20Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > **Cheesesteak** was obviously just making a joke in a thread which has not lacked for those. If we ran off into the weeds, it was with **Czarcasm** and **PlainJane** talking irrelevantly (but with the _appearance_ of having a point) about fireworks and hunting. Do you disagree that it is criminals and idiots, not guns, that is the problem? ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-you-kids-get-off-my-lawn-a-step-too-far/585662/156 "2011-06-17T21:10:10Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > The lamb asks the lion, “Hey, what’s for dinner?” Using my personal definition of annoying, of course, that being the only legitimate one. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-you-kids-get-off-my-lawn-a-step-too-far/585662/157 "2011-06-17T21:37:34Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > You must be a big fan of road rage, and of **customers who beat the crap out of cashiers when their cheeseburger is made wrong**. - my emphasis \* C’mon. You gotta admit a fucked up burger can really stir up your ant pile. As for OP: Shotgun man has anger issues and is a danger to himself and/or others. Federal time? Maybe. But I’d be more inclined to think he’s just nuts. His freedoms still need to be modified though. ---
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-you-kids-get-off-my-lawn-a-step-too-far/585662/158 "2011-06-17T23:23:20Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > I dunno; the ability to legally kill annoying people could do an awful lot of good in the world. While true, we wouldn’t want just anyone getting the idea that their definition of “annoying” counted, right? ---
**Author:** ![Mince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@Mince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mince)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2011, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-you-kids-get-off-my-lawn-a-step-too-far/585662/159 "2011-06-18T06:41:57Z")
The shooting was awful of course and the kid didn’t deserve to be shot for ding-dong ditch, but I bet the kid never disrespects other people’s property again. I bet he becomes an honor roll student and model citizen. The glass is half full, right? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2011, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-you-kids-get-off-my-lawn-a-step-too-far/585662/160 "2011-06-18T06:46:01Z")
> [@Mince](#): > > The shooting was awful of course and the kid didn’t deserve to be shot for ding-dong ditch, but I bet the kid never disrespects other people’s property again. I bet he becomes an honor roll student and model citizen. > > The glass is half full, right? How do you know he wasn’t already an honor roll student and all-around good kid before he got shot in the back? What have you read that tells you otherwise? ETA: I hardly think ringing a doorbell and leaving before anyone answers the door is “disrepecting other people’s property”. You have some fucked up notions if you think it is. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-you-kids-get-off-my-lawn-a-step-too-far/585662.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-you-kids-get-off-my-lawn-a-step-too-far/585662.md?page=9)