The Assault Weapon Myth

[decocker 7,198]

i started smoking at 12-13 when smoking was allowed inside the mall and at the pool and unless it was a cop - no one would ask a minor about smoking in public. i had maybe one or two friends that didn't smoke socially. we could buy cigarettes too, pretty much no problem.

my son is now almost 13, none of his friends smoke. kids get together at the mall and the pool just like back then, none of them are smoking. i have seen a couple of the highschool kids skating around the neighborhood and smoking so i don't know if these new laws have just put off kid's trying cigarettes or actually reduced the number of kids who aquire the habit altogether. but i would think it's the latter..

[Karee 4,191]

i started smoking at 12-13 when smoking was allowed inside the mall and at the pool and unless it was a cop - no one would ask a minor about smoking in public. i had maybe one or two friends that didn't smoke socially. we could buy cigarettes too, pretty much no problem.

my son is now almost 13, none of his friends smoke. kids get together at the mall and the pool just like back then, none of them are smoking. i have seen a couple of the highschool kids skating around the neighborhood and smoking so i don't know if these new laws have just put off kid's trying cigarettes or actually reduced the number of kids who aquire the habit altogether. but i would think it's the latter..

It's probably easier to buy weed than cigarettes when you're 13. Plus cigarettes are so expensive these days. I'm considering quitting just because of the cost. I added it up the other day and I spend about $3000 a year on cigarettes. I could live on that $3000 for 3 months in Thailand. Thinking logically, I'm spending $3000 a year to kill myself at a younger age.

[Teddy B 17,252]

It's probably easier to buy weed than cigarettes when you're 13. Plus cigarettes are so expensive these days. I'm considering quitting just because of the cost. I added it up the other day and I spend about $3000 a year on cigarettes. I could live on that $3000 for 3 months in Thailand. Thinking logically, I'm spending $3000 a year to kill myself at a younger age.

I smoked for over 20 years. It was ultimately a combination of the rising costs, the filthy smell and not being able to smoke in most places that finally made me quit. Oddly enough, the health concerns weren't really a factor for me at the time I quit.

[Karee 4,191]

How could not being allowed to smoke cigarrettes in 90% of the areas we frequent every day not result in a reduction of smoking cigarrettes? I think you are grossly underestimating that affect. When you make something more difficult for people to do, there will be less people doing it.

What exactly is your argument about drug laws? Do most people obey them or not? Do we have a drug problem? Yes, but that does not mean the current laws a re a failure. Last i checked, most people are not strung out on drugs.

People just go smoke them where they can. I'm not saying laws have no effect, but I think you're drastically over stating it. When you make something more difficult for people to do that they want to do, they'll find a way to do it.

Is your argument that people don't do drugs because they're illegal? I'd say that might have some impact, but very little. No one starts taking drugs thinking they'll be strung out on them.

[Karee 4,191]

I smoked for over 20 years. It was ultimately a combination of the rising costs, the filthy smell and not being able to smoke in most places that finally made me quit. Oddly enough, the health concerns weren't really a factor for me at the time I quit.

Yeah, it's strictly the financial thing in my case. I've become ultra tight with cash in the last few years (since I quit drinking). I'm putting every penny I can into saving money so I can go sit on my azz in Thailand for the rest of my life. I'm projecting I can get out of this hellhole (the U.S.) in about 7 years. That is unless I get another job in Asia between now and then.

[decocker 7,198]

It's probably easier to buy weed than cigarettes when you're 13. Plus cigarettes are so expensive these days. I'm considering quitting just because of the cost. I added it up the other day and I spend about $3000 a year on cigarettes. I could live on that $3000 for 3 months in Thailand. Thinking logically, I'm spending $3000 a year to kill myself at a younger age.

i started stealing cigarrettes from my grandparents' sample stash. then i realized i could buy them at certain corner stores. i didn't even try weed until i was sixteen and i had to buy it from the 'big kids'. but i was all over cigarettes

i quit smoking in 2009 mostly because of the cost but it's also disgusting. it wasn't too expensive for me because i never smoked much..like i would never ever just wake up and light a cigarrette. i just liked to smoke when drinking..i'm not sure i was ever addicted as it was really simple for me to quit.

[Teddy B 17,252]

People just go smoke them where they can. I'm not saying laws have no effect, but I think you're drastically over stating it. When you make something more difficult for people to do that they want to do, they'll find a way to do it.

Is your argument that people don't do drugs because they're illegal? I'd say that might have some impact, but very little. No one starts taking drugs thinking they'll be strung out on them.

But if people cannot simply light up whenever and wherever they want, then they are not going to smoke the amount of cigarrettes that they could if smoking was still allowed everywhere. I think the public pressure of the smell and second hand smoke played a huge roll as well. Sure the hardcore smokers will find a way to get outside and smoke, but most folks won't put forth the effort.

Yes, my argument is that people who do not do drugs do so because they are illegal. It's not the only reason, but most people are law abiding and the thought of going to prison is a great deterrent for most.

[Karee 4,191]

i started stealing cigarrettes from my grandparents' sample stash. then i realized i could buy them at certain corner stores. i didn't even try weed until i was sixteen and i had to buy it from the 'big kids'. but i was all over cigarettes

i quit smoking in 2009 mostly because of the cost but it's also disgusting. it wasn't too expensive for me because i never smoked much..like i would never ever just wake up and light a cigarrette. i just liked to smoke when drinking..i'm not sure i was ever addicted as it was really simple for me to quit.

Smoking while drinking was always what did me in. I'd quit, and then next thing you know I'd smoke at the bar telling myself I'll only drink when I smoke. Soon after I was lighting on up right after rolling out of bed. It's really a stupid habit with no real point to it. There is no psychological high from them.

But if people cannot simply light up whenever and wherever they want, then they are not going to smoke the amount of cigarrettes that they could if smoking was still allowed everywhere. I think the public pressure of the smell and second hand smoke played a huge roll as well. Sure the hardcore smokers will find a way to get outside and smoke, but most folks won't put forth the effort.

Yes, my argument is that people who do not do drugs do so because they are illegal. It's not the only reason, but most people are law abiding and the thought of going to prison is a great deterrent for most.

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree then.

[Teddy B 17,252]

Yeah, it's strictly the financial thing in my case. I've become ultra tight with cash in the last few years (since I quit drinking). I'm putting every penny I can into saving money so I can go sit on my azz in Thailand for the rest of my life. I'm projecting I can get out of this hellhole (the U.S.) in about 7 years. That is unless I get another job in Asia between now and then.

Good luck man. I wouldn't mind joining you.

[decocker 7,198]

Smoking while drinking was always what did me in. I'd quit, and then next thing you know I'd smoke at the bar telling myself I'll only drink when I smoke. Soon after I was lighting on up right after rolling out of bed. It's really a stupid habit with no real point to it. There is no psychological high from them.

i told myself i wasn't allowed to buy them. so then i had to bum one if i wanted one. i've had one or two here and there, but that's only like defcon stress situations at work. cigarrettes make you feel sickly all the time, but if you smoke daily you don't realize how crappy you feel until you have two or three smokeless months behind you..

[spookyturtle 9,466]

It's probably easier to buy weed than cigarettes when you're 13. Plus cigarettes are so expensive these days. I'm considering quitting just because of the cost. I added it up the other day and I spend about $3000 a year on cigarettes. I could live on that $3000 for 3 months in Thailand. Thinking logically, I'm spending $3000 a year to kill myself at a younger age.

Shooting yourself would be a lot quicker and less painful. Buy a gun.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

But if people cannot simply light up whenever and wherever they want, then they are not going to smoke the amount of cigarrettes that they could if smoking was still allowed everywhere. I think the public pressure of the smell and second hand smoke played a huge roll as well. Sure the hardcore smokers will find a way to get outside and smoke, but most folks won't put forth the effort.

Yes, my argument is that people who do not do drugs do so because they are illegal. It's not the only reason, but most people are law abiding and the thought of going to prison is a great deterrent for most.

Do you really think the threat of jail stops people from doing drugs? IMO, those people wouldn't do drugs anyway.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I laugh every time you go to the defeatest well on this issue. There's so many guns, whatever will we do??

Thirty years ago drunk driving deaths were a major issue in this country. But now due to new laws, dedication and hard work for a few decades, very positive changes have been made and thousands of lives have been saved.

60 years ago about 75% of the US population smoked cigarrettes, but now in 2014, due to new laws, dedication and hard work, it's estimated that less than 10% of the US population now smoke cigarrettes and thousands of lives have been saved.

Using your logic, these two problems would have been too difficult to tackle and we should have just accepted the fact that thousands of people will needlessly lose their lives every year.

I agree. Smart guns seem to be a very reasonable way to help prevent gun deaths.

Let's go to Brockton and Mattapan. You tell them not to do drugs, join street gangs or carry illegal guns. I'll wait in the car and call 911 and try and save you.

[Karee 4,191]

Shooting yourself would be a lot quicker and less painful. Buy a gun.

Laugh. I suppose an argument could be made that cigarettes help keep Social Security solvent since people die younger. If everyone quits smoking, people will live longer on average and Social Security will be broke.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Laugh. I suppose an argument could be made that cigarettes help keep Social Security solvent since people die younger. If everyone quits smoking, people will live longer on average and Social Security will be broke.

In that case, I thank you for doing your part to keep SS alive.