"gun don't shoot themselves"
Chemical fertilizers don't turn themselves into bombs.
Box cutters don't hijack planes by themselves.
Pipe bombs don't send themselves through the mail.
...
Yet we have regulations and restrictions on all of them.
Chemical fertilizers don't turn themselves into bombs.
Box cutters don't hijack planes by themselves.
Pipe bombs don't send themselves through the mail.
...
Yet we have regulations and restrictions on all of them.
Despite all of those things being inanimate objects, without thought or motive power, we have agreed to regulate their sale, use, or possession.
This is because we agree that, despite being inanimate objects, they can BE USED by people to cause unspeakable harm.
This is because we agree that, despite being inanimate objects, they can BE USED by people to cause unspeakable harm.
Pipe bombs are illegal to own or create because there is no justifiable legal use.
Total ban.
Box cutters can be purchased anywhere, the restriction is only on location such as planes.
Low restriction.
Chemical fertilizers highly regulated and supervised.
High restriction.
Total ban.
Box cutters can be purchased anywhere, the restriction is only on location such as planes.
Low restriction.
Chemical fertilizers highly regulated and supervised.
High restriction.
For everything, other than guns, we manage to have a usage/danger balance that dictates restrictions and regulations.
There's no reason that can't happen with guns.
Some guns are less dangerous.
Some guns are less useful.
Some guns need to be banned.
This is not hard.
There's no reason that can't happen with guns.
Some guns are less dangerous.
Some guns are less useful.
Some guns need to be banned.
This is not hard.
If restrictions on use don't matter, who do we criminalize the possession of ANY firearm by convicted felons?
Felons obviously still get guns. I know, I've prosecuted those cases.
Why have have such a law at all if felons are willing to break it?
Felons obviously still get guns. I know, I've prosecuted those cases.
Why have have such a law at all if felons are willing to break it?
Because...
It may not stop ALL felons from owning guns, but the law may discourage most.
It also provides an opportunity for law enforcement to arrest and prosecute when they are caught.
(It's often easier to convict the felon in possession than the underlying crime.)
It may not stop ALL felons from owning guns, but the law may discourage most.
It also provides an opportunity for law enforcement to arrest and prosecute when they are caught.
(It's often easier to convict the felon in possession than the underlying crime.)
Simply put, we know that restrictions and regulations work on every single other issue in public policy.
It can and will work on guns too.
Opponents just want to play dumb and pretend that guns are magical and immune to reality.
It can and will work on guns too.
Opponents just want to play dumb and pretend that guns are magical and immune to reality.
I'll be the first to admit that I'm one of the least intelligent members of #txlege. No doubt.
But if a dummy like me can think of common sense solutions to this crisis, why can't we get this done?
What's the hold up?
But if a dummy like me can think of common sense solutions to this crisis, why can't we get this done?
What's the hold up?
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
