# Will this lead to bipartisan gun control legislation? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 27, 2017, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-lead-to-bipartisan-gun-control-legislation/780965 "2017-02-27T18:55:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2017, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-lead-to-bipartisan-gun-control-legislation/780965/21 "2017-02-28T20:28:26Z")
‘sensible restrictions’ here ended up as ‘turn them all in, Mr and Mrs Britain’. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2017, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-lead-to-bipartisan-gun-control-legislation/780965/22 "2017-02-28T21:24:53Z")
Here are some stats on the [demographics of guns](http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/07/15/the-demographics-and-politics-of-gun-owning-households/)in US homes. The number people who self reported as having a gun in their home are: 40% of Non-Hispanic whites 19% of blacks 20% of Hispanics 25% of urban dwellers 36% of suburban dwellers 51% rural dwellers 38% of Southerners 35% of Midwesterners 34% of Westerners 27% of Northeasterners Other interesting stats are in the data as well. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2017, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-lead-to-bipartisan-gun-control-legislation/780965/23 "2017-03-01T01:14:33Z")
> [@JXJohns](#): > > Many attempts have been made here to educate anti gun / pro gun control folks in the spirit of the Straight Dope. Those efforts have been mostly fruitless and I expect any effort with a sincere legislator would give similar results. I don’t think that’s entirely fair. There’s been several folks here who have changed their views after discussion here. I think same sex marriage, gun control (particularly AWBs) are the top two issues where folks have adjusted their views through discussion. I am optimistic about the prospects of future conversions 🙂 I don’t share that optimism for legislators though. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2017, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-lead-to-bipartisan-gun-control-legislation/780965/24 "2017-03-01T02:09:30Z")
Nothing will ever cause Republicans to consider any legislation not approved by their lords and masters at the NRA. Nothing. If someone shoots up a whole arena full of toddlers, well that’s just the price we have to pay for having guns. Think the next mass shooting will open any eyes? You’re dreaming. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2017, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-lead-to-bipartisan-gun-control-legislation/780965/25 "2017-03-01T03:53:30Z")
> [@cuauhtemoc](#): > > I understand that you think I’m wrong about that. If lots of black people do start carrying guns, I guess we’ll see how it goes. My worry is that a lot of people will die because, again, many whites freak out when they see blacks with guns. Even [BB](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_of_John_Crawford_III) guns. That wasn’t a bb gun it was a [Crossman M4-177](http://www.crosman.com/m4-177-rifle-177) air rifle made to look like a [military M4 Carbine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M4_carbine). Here’s a helpful hint. Don’t get stoned and wave it around in a store. And if you feel you have to do this then drop it when requested by an officer. As to your cite, it’s about gun clubs. More power to them. ---
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2017, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-lead-to-bipartisan-gun-control-legislation/780965/26 "2017-03-01T15:51:35Z")
I may be misunderstanding this but it sounds to me like the OP (and maybe some others) are (unwittingly?) saying that we should ban guns so black people can’t buy them. That’s already been tried. Here’s a 20 minute video from the JPFO (Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership): [No guns for Negroes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipLqZUJqUHo) ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2017, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-lead-to-bipartisan-gun-control-legislation/780965/27 "2017-03-01T17:19:07Z")
Are you under the impression that all gun owners are racist or anti-black? Because I do not think that is the case at all; it is just a silly stereotype. I don’t own guns myself, but none of the gun owners that I know are the racist sort. And I’m sure that the NRA would be overjoyed to see more people of any color buying guns. ---
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2017, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-lead-to-bipartisan-gun-control-legislation/780965/28 "2017-03-01T19:03:30Z")
No. You missed my point entirely. It looks to me like the anti-gun people are hoping / expecting that because more blacks are buying guns the country is now more likely to ban guns. That is racist thinking. All people have a right to self defense – unless they live in Australia, where self defense is not on the list of legitimate reasons to buy a gun. Me, I don’t think grannies and skinny old men of any race should always be at the mercy of muscular thugs. ---
**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-lead-to-bipartisan-gun-control-legislation/780965/29 "2017-03-02T00:39:17Z")
Gun control has it’s historic roots in racism and funnily enough the [NRA](https://newrepublic.com/article/112322/gun-control-racist) took part in crafting these many early gun control laws designed to keep blacks from buying guns. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-lead-to-bipartisan-gun-control-legislation/780965/30 "2017-03-02T12:50:06Z")
> [@Turble](#): > > All people have a right to self defense – unless they live in Australia, where self defense is not on the list of legitimate reasons to buy a gun. I am not against guns, but this is an inaccurate explanation of Australian law. 1. You do have a right to self defense in Australia. 2. You could probably even use a gun in self defense if it happened to be around at the time. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-lead-to-bipartisan-gun-control-legislation/780965/31 "2017-03-02T13:38:01Z")
No, it won’t lead to gun control, and you may be surprised to find out that it may strengthen gun advocate positions, as a more diverse crowd comes to supporting their second amendment rights. In other words, the liberal cause against gun control might erode as they realize the constitutional value in owning firearms. By the way, I’m offended: I absolutely resent and detest your thought that I might be against black people owning guns. I’m disgusted by this racist insinuation and recognize that you have very little understanding about supporters of the constitution and ALL of its amendments. I welcome all who can to purchase and learn the proper use of firearms, race has nothing to do with it. Its my humble opinion that you are racist in thinking there should be a problem with Americans of certain heritage legally owning guns. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-lead-to-bipartisan-gun-control-legislation/780965/32 "2017-03-02T13:44:25Z")
> [@MacTech](#): > > Why would the amount of melanin in a person’s skin cells have _anything_ to do with gun ownership? > > If you are legally able to own a firearm, you should be able to own a firearm, period. > > A random variable like skin pigmentation should have zero influence on firearm ownership The President of the N.R.A. was interviewed; his answers may not agree with this. [At one point he offers “mixed ethnicity” as the reason Americans kill each other with guns.](https://youtu.be/Q1iuEcu7O50?t=4m40s) Earlier in the interview [he points out that the 2nd Amendment was a right passed down by “wise old dead _ **white** _ guys”](https://youtu.be/Q1iuEcu7O50?t=3m2s) — his voice clearly emphasizes the “white.” ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-lead-to-bipartisan-gun-control-legislation/780965/33 "2017-03-02T13:53:22Z")
> [@drewder](#): > > Gun control has it’s historic roots in racism and funnily enough the [NRA](https://newrepublic.com/article/112322/gun-control-racist) took part in crafting these many early gun control laws designed to keep blacks from buying guns. Oh, I am aware of the history of gun control legislation. Definitely some racism there! (Pretty much every white person in the USA during those times would be considered racist by modern standards.) But I don’t think the majority of the current crop of gun owners would necessarily be racist. That ain’t my experience, anyway… ---
**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-lead-to-bipartisan-gun-control-legislation/780965/34 "2017-03-02T14:53:58Z")
Let me be clear, I think gun control is still all about keeping guns out of the hands of undesirables. Gun rights advocates today are trying to undue the problems caused by racists trying to keep blacks from owning guns. ---
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-lead-to-bipartisan-gun-control-legislation/780965/35 "2017-03-02T16:33:12Z")
> [@Isamu](#): > > I am not against guns, but this is an inaccurate explanation of Australian law. > > 1. You do have a right to self defense in Australia. > > 2. You could probably even use a gun in self defense if it happened to be around at the time. To buy a gun in Australia you must provide a “genuine reason” for doing so … and self defense is **not** on the list of approved reasons. My statement is an accurate explanation of Australian law. What I said was " in Australia, where self defense is not on the list of legitimate reasons to buy a gun." I did not say you do not have a right to self defense in Australia, nor did I say you couldn’t use a gun in self defense if it happened to be around at the time. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-lead-to-bipartisan-gun-control-legislation/780965/36 "2017-03-02T16:59:36Z")
> [@Turble](#): > > To buy a gun in Australia you must provide a “genuine reason” for doing so … and self defense is **not** on the list of approved reasons. My statement is an accurate explanation of Australian law. > > What I said was " in Australia, where self defense is not on the list of legitimate reasons to buy a gun." I did not say you do not have a right to self defense in Australia, nor did I say you couldn’t use a gun in self defense if it happened to be around at the time. What if you live in a croc-infested area? ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2017, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-lead-to-bipartisan-gun-control-legislation/780965/37 "2017-03-03T01:29:05Z")
My take on the linked article is that it’s fairly blatant race baiting with a huge side order of stereotyping. I’m not going to be any more distressed seeing a black guy (or gal) walking around with a sidearm than I am seeing some old white guy. I’m also going to be more wary of some younger person sporting gang wear whether they’re black, white, or anything else. So if anyone, any race, creed, or sexual orientation wants my advise on firearms or holsters, speak right up! ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2017, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-lead-to-bipartisan-gun-control-legislation/780965/38 "2017-03-03T01:36:47Z")
> [@Turble](#): > > I did not say you do not have a right to self defense in Australia, nor did I say you couldn’t use a gun in self defense if it happened to be around at the time. Who are you? Trump? You did say that. You said “All people have a right to self defense – unless they live in Australia…” ---
**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2017, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-lead-to-bipartisan-gun-control-legislation/780965/39 "2017-03-03T01:40:32Z")
> [@Isamu](#): > > Who are you? Trump? You did say that. You said “All people have a right to self defense – unless they live in Australia…” and the rest of the sentence “where self defense is not on the list of legitimate reasons to buy a gun.” clearly says he was talking about self defense not being a reason that allows you to buy a gun. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2017, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-lead-to-bipartisan-gun-control-legislation/780965/40 "2017-03-03T01:43:48Z")
Well, he needs to learn how to use English as a communication tool. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-lead-to-bipartisan-gun-control-legislation/780965.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-lead-to-bipartisan-gun-control-legislation/780965.md?page=3)