# Young voters and gun laws... **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 23, 2018, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-voters-and-gun-laws/809395 "2018-02-23T05:17:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-voters-and-gun-laws/809395/82 "2018-02-26T01:52:48Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I think sheriffs and their deputies work in counties, so when discussing them it would be logical to mention the county rather than a city or school. In the wake of the shooting, I _have_ paid more attention to the (in)action(s) of the Broward County Sheriff’s Dept. than the greater debate, so I guess in my mind, I identify the incident overall more as “Broward” than “Parkland.” Ultimately, to-may-to, to-mah-to. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-voters-and-gun-laws/809395/83 "2018-02-26T02:22:49Z")
> [@ExTank](#): > > In the wake of the shooting, I _have_ paid more attention to the (in)action(s) of the Broward County Sheriff’s Dept. than the greater debate, so I guess in my mind, I identify the incident overall more as “Broward” than “Parkland.” Ultimately, to-may-to, to-mah-to. Are you blaming the Sheriff and/or the deputy who didn’t go in? And it is tah-may-tah, dammit! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-voters-and-gun-laws/809395/84 "2018-02-26T02:27:39Z")
I’ve expressed my opinion wrt the Broward County Sheriff’s Dept. in a different thread; per Moderator’s instructions, I won’t derail this thread with unrelated comments/off-topic commentary. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-voters-and-gun-laws/809395/85 "2018-02-26T02:48:10Z")
> [@XT](#): > > I saw this thread and it made me think of [this](https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/25/opinions/nra-parkland-shooting-opinion-obeidallah/index.html) article on CNN I was reading so thought I’d post it here. > > They are really playing up the teens battling for change angle, but I think we are seeing the beginning of what might be a sea change as the pendulum begins to swing back the other way wrt the NRA’s power and the issue of gun control and compromise. I found this part particularly interesting/compelling: > > Whether you agree or disagree wrt the whole gun debate, I think this is the theme we are going to be seeing and this is the take away people are going to, well, take away from this recent tragedy and it’s aftermath. I think those who refuse to change or adapt and try the same old business as usual approach are going to get steamrolled. I agree. As indicated up-thread, I have been following a few of these kids on Twitter. It really is quite remarkable. @Emma4Change took 10 days to overtake @NRA in followers. They have taken a page from our Tweeter-in-Chief and deployed it quite effectively. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-voters-and-gun-laws/809395/86 "2018-02-26T03:01:41Z")
OK, I can see how “Broward” would become the name you’d think of if you’re thinking about what the county sheriff could have done differently. Fair enough. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-voters-and-gun-laws/809395/87 "2018-02-26T03:17:00Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > OK, I can see how “Broward” would become the name you’d think of if you’re thinking about what the county sheriff could have done differently. Fair enough. Fair 'nuf, and my apologies for snapping at you. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-voters-and-gun-laws/809395/88 "2018-02-26T04:29:41Z")
A month ago, I never heard of the city of Parkland. I’ve heard of Broward county though (Fort Lauderdale). ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2018, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-voters-and-gun-laws/809395/89 "2018-02-26T16:55:56Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > I agree. As indicated up-thread, I have been following a few of these kids on Twitter. > > It really is quite remarkable. @Emma4Change took 10 days to overtake @NRA in followers. They have taken a page from our Tweeter-in-Chief and deployed it quite effectively. This is meaningless. Following Emma on twitter is not the same as voting. The NRA is powerful because its members vote, if twitter followers made you politically powerful, Kim Kardashian would determine our next president. ---
**Author:** ![Claude\_Remains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@Claude\_Remains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claude_Remains)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2018, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-voters-and-gun-laws/809395/90 "2018-02-27T00:03:00Z")
> [@puddleglum](#): > > This is meaningless. Following Emma on twitter is not the same as voting. The NRA is powerful because its members vote, if twitter followers made you politically powerful, Kim Kardashian would determine our next president. Please stay tuned… ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2018, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-voters-and-gun-laws/809395/91 "2018-02-27T01:04:54Z")
> [@puddleglum](#): > > … if twitter followers made you politically powerful, Kim Kardashian would determine our next president. I fear she did… Seriously, these kids are using Twitter as an organization tool and to get out the vote. So I too say “Stay tuned”. ---
**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:** [February 27, 2018, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-voters-and-gun-laws/809395/92 "2018-02-27T01:24:50Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > I fear she did… > > Seriously, these kids are using Twitter as an organization tool and to get out the vote. So I too say “Stay tuned”. It worked fairly well in the Arab Spring movement, so I wouldn’t discount the use of social media to shift public attitudes. Hell, one could make a case it worked pretty well to get the Orange Haired One(tm…arr) elected to be our president in chief. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2018, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-voters-and-gun-laws/809395/93 "2018-02-27T04:18:45Z")
Age in 1776: Marquis de Lafayette, 18 James Monroe, 18 Henry Lee III, 20 Aaron Burr, 20 Nathan Hale, 21 Alexander Hamilton, 21 Just a bunch of kids, right? What do they know? -@DeAnnaBurghart ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2018, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-voters-and-gun-laws/809395/94 "2018-02-27T16:21:51Z")
> [@Claude\_Remains](#): > > Please stay tuned… I will, but just to be safe I won’t hold my breath. ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2018, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-voters-and-gun-laws/809395/95 "2018-02-27T16:29:16Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > Age in 1776: > Marquis de Lafayette, 18 > James Monroe, 18 > Henry Lee III, 20 > Aaron Burr, 20 > Nathan Hale, 21 > Alexander Hamilton, 21 > > Just a bunch of kids, right? What do they know? > > -@DeAnnaBurghart None of these people were leaders in the Independence movement. The average age for the Signers of the Declaration of Independence was 44. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-voters-and-gun-laws/809395/96 "2018-02-28T19:59:07Z")
> [@Claude\_Remains](#): > > Will the resent school shootings result in more young people actually voting? > > I for one, will march in and carry a flag for any cause that supports the repeal of the colonial era mind set that is the second amendment. > > Even as a Veteran of the armed forces of the United States of America I see no need for every dip-shit from coast to coast to have the “right” to walk into Walmart and purchase a firearm. > > That’s right, I said it. > > Don’t like that? I’m also a strong proponent of TAXING THE CHURCH! > > That being said, I can only have “Prayers and wishes” for the NRA. I doubt it. The number of young people who would vote for a pro-gun control candidate that wouldn’t already vote for a Democrat is pretty small. IOW, we can take their votes for granted. I’m a fan of repealing all gun laws and prohibiting states and localities from ever passing any laws regulating guns and instituting a system of licensing and registration. Its good to have hobbies. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-voters-and-gun-laws/809395/97 "2018-02-28T21:38:30Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > I doubt it. The number of young people who would vote for a pro-gun control candidate that wouldn’t already vote for a Democrat is pretty small. IOW, we can take their votes for granted. You really can’t take them for granted. They may vote D, if they vote, but that demographic is the least reliable voters. The idea is not that they will be voting D in the election that will swing things, but that they will be voting at all. > [@](#): > > I’m a fan of repealing all gun laws and prohibiting states and localities from ever passing any laws regulating guns and instituting a system of licensing and registration. Its good to have hobbies. Shall issue license? Or is there any qualification before you start handing out machine guns? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2018, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-voters-and-gun-laws/809395/98 "2018-02-28T22:40:26Z")
Funny how **Claude Remains** rabbited…I guess he really is the Invisible Man. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2018, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-voters-and-gun-laws/809395/99 "2018-03-03T17:42:04Z")
A good [article](http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/03/on-the-ground-with-parkland-teens-as-they-plot-a-revolution.html) on the MSD students and how they are organizing their revolution. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2018, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-voters-and-gun-laws/809395/100 "2018-03-03T18:19:00Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > You really can’t take them for granted. They may vote D, if they vote, but that demographic is the least reliable voters. The idea is not that they will be voting D in the election that will swing things, but that they will be voting at all. Not only have they been energized of late which will likely see a bump in turn out but as it happens old, conservative voters are dying and the new generation is staying liberal. It may take several more election cycles for the shift to happen in earnest but the writing is on the wall. Conservatives as they are today are a dying breed (literally). > [@](#): > > **New Survey Shows Young People Are Staying Liberal and Conservatives Are Dying Off** > > For obvious reasons, the broadly liberal demographic trends in American politics have received much less attention since the 2016 election. Yet the fact remains that America is politically sorted by generations in a way it never has before. The oldest voters are the most conservative, white, and Republican, and the youngest voters the most liberal, racially diverse, and Democratic. There is absolutely no sign the dynamic is abating during the Trump years. If anything, it is accelerating. > > The most recent Pew Research Survey has more detail about the generational divide. It shows that the old saw that young people would naturally grow more conservative as they age, or that their Democratic loyalties were an idiosyncratic response to Barack Obama’s unique personal appeal, has not held. Younger voters have distinctly more liberal views than older voters: > > SOURCE: [New Survey: Young Staying Liberal, Conservatives Dying Off](http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/03/new-survey-young-staying-liberal-conservatives-dying-off.html) ---
**Author:** ![Claude\_Remains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@Claude\_Remains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claude_Remains)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2018, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-voters-and-gun-laws/809395/101 "2018-03-04T05:50:20Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > Funny how **Claude Remains** rabbited…I guess he really is the Invisible Man. I’ve got a life that doesn’t revolve around this silly website. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-voters-and-gun-laws/809395.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-voters-and-gun-laws/809395.md?page=6)