Are Americans...

[1ozzy]

... really that stupid that they can't find a way to take firearms from the mentally deficient (or stop them owning them in the first place) or are they all rowing the same boat?

Yeah, I know, it's the right to bear arms.

Sadly I just watched a news item concerning another shooting of innocent people in America.

It's bad enough declaring war on another country but to have laws that allow psychopaths to own the weapons that allow them to commit mass shootings. beggars belief.

[Old_Geezer]

One must assume that is not the intent. Maybe it's an issue with labelling someone mentally deficient. Or maybe it would be discrimination.

[Zacs-Master]

1ozzy. It simply isn’t possible to take out of circulation the billions of firearms there are in the US. Guns will, forevermore, be readily obtainable.

[1ozzy]

Assume I shall, to the best of my humble abilities.

[Bazile]

The thing is that gun ownership is too ingrained into the culture .

No potential President is going campaign on that platform to even try and change the law

The opposition is too great - eg the NRA

Further , there are just too many guns in circulation

It's like trying to persuade the Vikings to give up rampaging and pillaging

[1ozzy]

I think that's not quite correct Zacs.

Lot's could be removed.

Stringent measures could be introduced concerning gun ownership.

Think about the laws in your own country and how many mass shootings occur.

But, it's not the American way.

[1ozzy]

I witness lots of Vikings rampaging and pillaging these days Baz ;-/

If there is a will there is a way.

Most "muricans" hate the idea, but,,,,,

[Zacs-Master]

Lots could be removed. Lots and lots and lots would remain.
Even the attempt to take away guns from the public would result in civil unrest. There are communities (mainly in the South) for which guns are almost the main thing in their lives. They would Rebel. Strongly.

[bhg481]

Bazile - I haven't seen any recent reports of Vikings ravaging and pillaging so, perhaps, they are beginning to restrain themselves.

[Old_Geezer]

Nothing lasts forever. Stop a freedom to purchase without good cause and the old stock eventually deteriorates. Add to that folk handing in arms when they realise how civilising their removal is. And a new generation not wed to being armedin the first place, considering it a daft idea of previous generations. It would take time but many other countries have effectively removed mass ownership, no reason the USoA would be incapable.

[Zacs-Master]

Don’t be fooled , bhg; they’re just sleeping it off.

[bhg481]

Just think of all he job losses if the Americans banned guns; undertakers for a start.

[davebro]

i realise it could take decades to produce an effect but could a start be made by banning the manufacture and sale of certain types of ammunition? If you haven't got bullets what use is the gun.

[Zacs-Master]

‘the old stock eventually deteriorates’

No it doesn’t. A well maintained gun will last centuries.

[Old_Geezer]

An individual firearm needs to be well maintained, and be repaired as necessary. The stock of guns as a whole will deteriorate.

[1ozzy]

A country that considers itself a world leader that cant control what happens within?

[bhg481]

OG - I think you missed Zac's pun on "stock".

[Zacs-Master]

Automatic weapons generally have metal or even carbon fibre stocks. There will always be black market traders who will service and repair firearms and even supply ammunition.

[Old_Geezer]

Without tyranny and citizen abuse it's difficult to completely control everything.
Even harsh "super"powers get issues.

[Zacs-Master]

I think I was getting confused between the stock of a gun and a stock of guns. Ha!

In any case it would take millennia for the vast majority of guns to become defunct. There will, forever, be firearms available to those who really want them.

My point about communities for whom the firearm is almost a deity still remains.

[1ozzy]

//Automatic weapons generally have metal or even carbon fibre stocks. There will always be black market traders who will service and repair firearms and even supply ammunition.//

So therefore every peaceful country should toss in the towel Zacs?