Before gun control, when shootings were unheard of. 1950s an early 60s!
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.There is a useless observation. Are you aware the date is 2019?
PondartIncbendog
Level 8
June 27, 2019
0
Are you seriously inferring a causal connection between gun control and gun violence? That's incredibly simplistic.
As simplistic as inferring a connection based on immigration, or ethnic diversity, or the political parties, or any of 1000 factors.
Our cities are more crowded and complex, our culture is both more tolerant and at the same time some elements are more intolerant, the economy has put pressure on more people than ever, the media culture makes violence seem omnipresent and makes some seek instant celebrity via committing violent crimes.... I could go on but I won't.
Paul4747
Level 8
June 27, 2019
2
You mean when it was illegal to own military weapons?
sewchick57
Level 7
June 27, 2019
1
Pardon me?
It has never been illegal to own military weapons.
In 1934, a $200 tax was put on the sale of machine guns (something like $10,000 now, I guess?). That was the very first gun control law in the US. Progressively, restrictions have been strengthened, such as the ban on owning new automatic weapons in 1986. But they have never been flat-out illegal. [washingtonpost.com]
Certain military weapons were very much legal. The standard infantry rifles, the M1 Garand and M1 Carbine, were in many thousands of civilian hands. They were common hunting rifles. There was in fact a Civilian Marksmanship Program that sold surplus rifles to the civilian market. This still exists, although not many know about it. [thecmp.org] The M1911A1 .45 pistol was among the top of the line for handguns because the US military used it.
I think, by "military weapons", you mean "scary looking black rifles" that became prevalent during the Viet Nam War. The M-16 was designed in 1959 and the civilian version, the AR-15, was first sold in 1964. Modern high-capacity handguns go back to the Browning Hi-Power, first appearing in the 1930s.
And yet we didn't have these "mass shootings".
What's new is the way some elements of pop culture devalue life and glorify violence in general, along with our instant media culture. Someone who wants to become famous (or infamous) only has to buy a gun and go misuse it in a horrific manner, and they'll be known to thousands a few hours later. For some, obviously the temptation is irresistible.
Although I support some ownership restrictions, my sense is that what we have today is more a mental health issue. I think Americans suffer an unusual and much more widespread degree of depression and anxiety relative to in the past. I also think that we need to look more closely at aggregate causes of this circumstance.
seattlepanda
Level 7
June 27, 2019
0
That would be back when Reagan was pro-gun control, right?
RonWilliam53
Level 7
June 27, 2019
0
@dave1459 Back then men didn't think their manhood depended on packing heat in a vetreniarian's office or COSTCO. Or resolving road rage or ANY discussion with a gun.
@dave1459 Yes,,,and you said it yourself...It was a different time...times have changed and many have not adapted too well...I also grew up around guns and still own them...those who don't adapt are going to be lost...
Back before the NRA went full fascist and pimped gun owners out to the gun industry.
RonWilliam53
Level 7
June 27, 2019
3
It changed so much that my dad and I stopped our memberships,,,it was fun back then...
There were a lot of shootings...but usually not in rural areas unless you counted hunting accidents or some family feud thing...I was in junior high in Kansas and knew of three people shot in Ft. Leavenworth for domestic violence...I just think it never made the news unless it was local...I think the good news was that we had no idea and were naive...that is what made it the good old days...ignorance is bliss...
thinktwice
Level 8
June 27, 2019
2
Yup less craziness then
bobwjr
Level 10
June 27, 2019
0
I wasn't in Alabama just outside Baltimore no racial tensions didn't know what that w was until later integrated high school never saw violence
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