Guns from out-of-state make up the grand majority of city crimes

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Anyone honestly believe if the founding fathers were around today, they'd take a look around and say "yep, this is working as intended!"?

Does not matter what they think. They put 2 ways in place to change the constitution, because they knew things would change. If we want to restrict guns let's do it the right way and change the constitution

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Having the same strict gun laws nationwide, will decrease the amount of guns available for import to other states. If these guns cannot be had so easily in some states, the supply will begin to dry up.

How long do you think it will take until the 300 million guns already in private hands to disappear? I'd guess at least 500 years, and that is being conservative. Even if they stopped selling guns today you are looking at centuries before a dent was made in the supply.

[Teddy B 17,252]

How long do you think it will take until the 300 million guns already in private hands to disappear? I'd guess at least 500 years, and that is being conservative. Even if they stopped selling guns today you are looking at centuries before a dent was made in the supply.

If that were the case, then there would be no market for guns today because there is already enough supply to handle the demand. but we know that's not true. Stop the flow of guns and gun deaths will diminish.

[Karee 4,191]

If that were the case, then there would be no market for guns today because there is already enough supply to handle the demand. but we know that's not true. Stop the flow of guns and gun deaths will diminish.

So what you;re saying is that currently the demand for guns is outpacing the supply. What do we do about the demand?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

If that were the case, then there would be no market for guns today because there is already enough supply to handle the demand. but we know that's not true. Stop the flow of guns and gun deaths will diminish.

Why? There are enough guns for every man, woman and child in the country. The criminals will always be able to get guns. Why are gun deaths less today than they were back in the 90's and there tens of millions more guns today?

[Teddy B 17,252]

So what you;re saying is that currently the demand for guns is outpacing the supply. What do we do about the demand?

The demand for illegal guns, yes. Remove the need for the demand by improving social and economic environments where the violence is the worst. This is definitely more than just a gun problem, but stopping the supply of the guns is the first and easiest step.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Teddy, weed has always been illegal here. What happened every time the supply got short? The price went up. If you wanted it and were willing to pay, you could always get it. Same thing will always apply to guns or anything else that people want.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Why? There are enough guns for every man, woman and child in the country. The criminals will always be able to get guns. Why are gun deaths less today than they were back in the 90's and there tens of millions more guns today?

There may be enough guns for everyone, but not everyone has them, especially the criminal element that desires them. Most guns are legally owned. I'm not sure there are fewer gun deaths today than in the 90's. I believe gun deaths have remained fairly steady, around 9K to 10K per year, since the turn of the century. That does not include the suicide or accidental death numbers which are annually around 35K.

Edited August 21, 2013 by Teddy B

[Teddy B 17,252]

Teddy, weed has always been illegal here. What happened every time the supply got short? The price went up. If you wanted it and were willing to pay, you could always get it. Same thing will always apply to guns or anything else that people want.

The price went up, but the supply was not there, it was much more difficult to get. A lot of people couldn't afford the higher prices and gave up trying, and just the hardcore potheads with money would go through the effort of seeking it out. Drying up the supply of anything makes that commodity more expensive and more difficult to get, in turn a good chunk of folks can't afford it nor can be bothered doing what it takes to get it.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Guns will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no guns.

[GandD 5,966]

How long do you think it will take until the 300 million guns already in private hands to disappear? I'd guess at least 500 years, and that is being conservative. Even if they stopped selling guns today you are looking at centuries before a dent was made in the supply.

Sounds like the sooner we start the better. The more guns we add will likely increase your year calculation. Hell if society can function with existing guns for another 500 years, why are we making more? Edited August 21, 2013 by GandD

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

There may be enough guns for everyone, but not everyone has them, especially the criminal element that desires them. Most guns are legally owned. I'm not sure there are fewer gun deaths today than in the 90's. I believe gun deaths have remained fairly steady, around 9K to 10K per year, since the turn of the century. That does not include the suicide or accidental death numbers which are annually around 35K.

Homicides have decreased overall. Gun violence still accounts for better than two out of three homicides, however. That ratio has stayed rather constant. Firearms have been and continue to be by far the preferred tool that killers use. Without the ridiculous amount of firearm related homicides, we'd have homicide rates much closer to those of our peer nations. But our gun culture ensures that we have homicide rates much closer to those of developing nations.

[Karee 4,191]

The demand for illegal guns, yes. Remove the need for the demand by improving social and economic environments where the violence is the worst. This is definitely more than just a gun problem, but stopping the supply of the guns is the first and easiest step.

That seems backwards to me. As long as there is a demand for something, the supply will be there.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Hell if society can function with existing guns for another 500 years, why are we making more?

[Karee 4,191]

Hell if society can function with existing guns for another 500 years, why are we making more?

Because there's a demand for them.