US House passes gun control bill

[pikatore]

BBC NEWS | World | Americas | US House passes gun control bill

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill that would bolster background checks on gun buyers. If it passes the Senate, it will be the first major gun control law since 1994. It was drafted after April's Virginia Tech massacre, which exposed how gunman Cho Seung-hui was able to buy two guns despite having mental health problems. The new bill would close a gap by requiring states to automate reporting of mental health and criminal records to a database used to check gun buyers. To become law, the measure must be approved by the Senate and be signed by President George W Bush. The bill came as a White House report on the Virginia Tech shootings was released which said concerns over privacy laws meant data on potentially dangerous students often did not make it on to the federal gun purchase database. A judge had ruled Cho needed mental health treatment but because the report never made it into federal records, he was able legally to buy the guns he used to kill 32 people and himself.

I think this is an excellent move. Stop the nutbags from getting armed. Sounds good to me.

[Milton Bradley]

So, is this "pacifying the constituents", or just a "convenient step in the direction of the long term agenda"?

[The Decider]

Quote by: Milton Bradley So, is this "pacifying the constituents", or just a "convenient step in the direction of the long term agenda"?

According to the article, this bill was strongly supported by the NRA. Does the NRA have an anti-gun "long term agenda" we should know about?

[SoylentGreen]

Its not the gun that kills but the gun user. This bill seems to regulate the user not the gun.
But unfortunatly it wont stop illeagal purchase of a gun so whether it is of any use is debatable.

[Autolykos]

Why am I not surprised by this?

- Rob

[Milton Bradley]

Quote by: Autolykos Why am I not surprised by this? - Rob

I'm guessing it's that because you have the highest expectations from people in government.

[CoffeeSaint]

Quote by: Autolykos Why am I not surprised by this? - Rob

Why am I not surprised by your surprise?

[Technosoul]

Would police records about domestic violence by automated, or just federal crimes like stealing cars?

[Autolykos]

Quote by: CoffeeSaint Why am I not surprised by your surprise?

But I'm not surprised.

Anyways, look for the diagnosis of "mental illnesses" to rise among the general population.

- Rob

[Jubloz]

Quote by: pikatore BBC NEWS | World | Americas | US House passes gun control bill I think this is an excellent move. Stop the nutbags from getting armed. Sounds good to me.

*cheers*

[Praxius]

Quote by: SoylentGreen Its not the gun that kills but the gun user.

Oh wow... how many times have I heard this before?

Oh yes.... it's not the Alcohol or the Car that kills.... but the person drinking the alcohol and driving the car....... It always boils down to the person, that's an obvious.... but yet, there are plenty of laws out there about drinking and driving.... yet once some rules come onto firearms..... Look out.... FREEDOM IS BEING TAKEN AWAY!!!!

*smacks head*

This bill I do agree is one step in a better direction.

[Autolykos]

Quote by: Praxius Oh wow... how many times have I heard this before? Oh yes.... it's not the Alcohol or the Car that kills.... but the person drinking the alcohol and driving the car....... It always boils down to the person, that's an obvious.... but yet, there are plenty of laws out there about drinking and driving.... yet once some rules come onto firearms..... Look out.... FREEDOM IS BEING TAKEN AWAY!!!!

I also don't agree with DUI laws.

- Rob

[banko]

You think it is ok for a person to drive drunk? Is it ok that they kill people on the roads because they are too stupid to not drive drunk?

[Autolykos]

First off, there is a difference between morality and legality.

Second, I don't think it's okay for a drunk driver to kill people on the roads. But there is already a crime known as "vehicular manslaughter", and it does not involve drunkenness on the part of the offender.

I do not encourage anyone to drive drunk. That doesn't mean I think driving drunk should be considered a crime in and of itself.

- Rob

[banko]

What about drunk flying? Or drunk sailing? Do you think pilots or captains of large cargo ships should be allowed to drink while performing either task? I mean why make it illegal in and of itself?

[Autolykos]

Allowed legally, or allowed morally? Or both?

I see no reason why my previous post cannot also apply to drunk flying/sailing/whatever.

- Rob

[SoylentGreen]

Autolykos or allowed morally

Do you believe that morality should be imposed on people.?

Do you think that "vehicular manslaughter" is a sufficient law to cover all cases of DUI?

[Praxius]

Quote by: Autolykos First off, there is a difference between morality and legality. Second, I don't think it's okay for a drunk driver to kill people on the roads. But there is already a crime known as "vehicular manslaughter", and it does not involve drunkenness on the part of the offender. I do not encourage anyone to drive drunk. That doesn't mean I think driving drunk should be considered a crime in and of itself. - Rob

And see that's where I have to disagree with that reasoning..... Vehicular Manslaughter can involve someone sober, who either wasn't paying attention or hit the person on purpose. Any kind of impairment while operating any kind of vehicle which can cause bodily harm and/or death to any bystanders I considder much more of a risk then just a sober accident.

If you take your drivers test drunk.... there's a very good chance you'd fail, even if it was legal to drink and drive..... so if you'd fail your drivers test drunk and wouldn't get your lisence, then why the heck would someone be willing to not imply laws to deter those who do drive while drunk or impaired?

I drink and I have done my share of other drugs in my day, and I still fully support any laws against driving impared and anybody who does drive impared should get the maximum they can get in a court of law.... including myself. There is no reason, no need, nothing that's a good excuse to drive while impaired.....

If I ever needed to get somewhere when I was impaired, I ask for a ride, I'll call a cab, walk it, or I'd wait until I was sober to drive again..... There is no excuse.

[Mr.Vicchio]

And the people barred from legal gun purchases can still get them on the black market, this law does very little stop gun crime in any way.

I might invest in black market guns though, higher demand and all.


The solution to preventing another VTech is not more gun control, it's ending the so called "Gun Free Zones" All those do is give quacks a safe enviroment to kill in.

[Autolykos]

Quote by: SoylentGreen Do you believe that morality should be imposed on people.?

If you mean imposed by force, then no. If you mean that one should be free to judge others according to his own morality, then yes.

Do you think that "vehicular manslaughter" is a sufficient law to cover all cases of DUI?

Of course not. If one does not kill someone while driving drunk, he certainly cannot be held liable for vehicular manslaughter.

- Rob