Why do Democrats support gun control?

[GWACA]

I was in a debate with one of my friends earlier today on the topic of gun control. My stance on the issue has always been "Taking guns from law abiding citizens does not protect law abiding citizens", my friend who is best described as a watered down Democrat had no reasoning to his argument other than "guns are bad". So it got me wondering, what reason do real Democrats have for supporting gun control? I don't mean this to be a debate thread I'm just curiouse as to what the left's opinion is.

Edit: Since it has already turned into a debate threan let this now be a debate thread.

[San Leggera]

Because if there's less guns there's less of them available for those who wish to use them to murder, surely? Not that it would eliminate gun crime, however, but it would play at least a small part in reducing it.

[Transmaris]

I was in a debate with one of my friends earlier today on the topic of gun control. My stance on the issue has always been "Taking guns from law abiding citizens does not protect law abiding citizens",

The basic idea is to take all guns out of un-controlled hands. If you insist that gun-clubs are necessary, keep them there, etc.

The traditional counter argument is ofcourse "If guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns!" Meaning that taking weapons out of circulation is doomed to not work, because the people that we least desire to have gun, will be the ones keeping them.

2 answers to this:
1) It's worked very well in every western european country, so far. Not perfectly ofcourse, but quite well.
2) If you truely believe it could not work in the US, that means the US needs a re-boot.
Kill 'em all and re-populate.

[Jocabia]

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/16/opini ... d=fb-share

The reasons are obvious and numerous. Guns are efficient killing machines. You know they are efficient killing machines which is why you want people to legally own them. It's also the reason we want people not to legally own them. Guns aren't being smuggled in and used in the majority of killings. The majority of killings are happening with guns that were originally legally acquired and then either not properly stored or simply allowed into the wrong hands.

[Galloism]

I was in a debate with one of my friends earlier today on the topic of gun control. My stance on the issue has always been "Taking guns from law abiding citizens does not protect law abiding citizens",

The basic idea is to take all guns out of un-controlled hands. If you insist that gun-clubs are necessary, keep them there, etc.

The traditional counter argument is ofcourse "If guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns!" Meaning that taking weapons out of circulation is doomed to not work, because the people that we least desire to have gun, will be the ones keeping them.

2 answers to this:
1) It's worked very well in every western european country, so far. Not perfectly ofcourse, but quite well.
2) If you truely believe it could not work in the US, that means the US needs a re-boot.
Kill 'em all and re-populate.

"We have a crime problem. Any ideas?"
"How about genocide?"
"Perfect!"

[Raeyh]

I just figure that fiscal conservatives want to limit police funding, so they are more likely to support individuals owning guns while liberals don't mind increased taxes, so they don't see any purpose to private gun ownership when you have SWAT.

[Grinning Dragon]

I was in a debate with one of my friends earlier today on the topic of gun control. My stance on the issue has always been "Taking guns from law abiding citizens does not protect law abiding citizens", my friend who is best described as a watered down Democrat had no reasoning to his argument other than "guns are bad". So it got me wondering, what reason do real Democrats have for supporting gun control? I don't mean this to be a debate thread I'm just curious as to what the left's opinion is.

Not all democrats favor gun control, I have a few friends that call themselves democrats and they do not believe in any gun control, then there are a few that call themselves republican and they favor some gun control. To me it is more dependent upon the person than it has to do with their party affiliation.

[Stovokor]

I just figure that fiscal conservatives want to limit police funding, so they are more likely to support individuals owning guns while liberals don't mind increased taxes, so they don't see any purpose to private gun ownership when you have SWAT.

Because we've all seen how fiscal the conservatives are these days, excuse me while I go entertain myself with American military history.

[Sdaeriji]

Everyone supports gun control; it's just a disagreement over degree.

[Neo Art]

Is this a trend on NSG now? To make a thread about how my friend and I got into a super serious debate, but my friend is clearly a stupid mc stupidhead who makes stupid arguments, because he's stupid, and not super super smart, like me, so I come to NSG where I can talk about how stupid my stupid friend is, and how I'm so, like, totally smarter, and is there anyone who can explain my friends stupid stupid argument which I am in no way bastardizing and simplifying, becuase my stupid friend makes stupid arguments like this, so can someone please explain what my stupid friend is thinking? I'm not stupid enough to understand!

Seriously, it's like the 3rd one of these in 24 hours.

[Samuraikoku]

I don't mean this to be a debate thread

Why post in the first place?

[Valecia]

I am British and am not 100% aware of american gun policy, but surely wouldn't it be best if people selling guns check your records(criminal, medical, etc) to make sure you are not insane or a criminal. And i don't understand why america has the this love affair with guns? We dont have it, the french don't, the germans dont, etc.

[Bafuria]

Most democratic voters tend to be located in urban areas, where gun ownership and recreational shooting is less common and gun crime is more common. Their experience with guns is simply more negative.

Europe is also more urban than America, which brings me to believe that theory.

[Ashmoria]

because they arent in thrall to the NRA and guns need some controlling.

[Edward Richtofen]

bcause if im correct
they are the only "liberals" that support gun control
may be wrong but....
HEY EUROPE HELP ME OUT!!

[Sobaeg]

If a nations people and personalities speak about ending the lives of people they don't like with discrimination, and they have capital punishment, isn't that likely to send a message that killing people with a good reason is OK? ...and isn't it also possible that no matter weather they have a gun or not people will still find something to kill people with?

[Nua Corda]

I'm a (reluctant) Democrat, and I support gun regulation because I believe that people are generally shit, and need to be restricted in reasonable ways, like banning automatics, registering guns, and generally putting the same laws we have about cars in place around guns.

[Edward Richtofen]

I am British and am not 100% aware of american gun policy, but surely wouldn't it be best if people selling guns check your records(criminal, medical, etc) to make sure you are not insane or a criminal. And i don't understand why america has the this love affair with guns? We dont have it, the french don't, the germans dont, etc.

we do
but its hell trying to moniter everyone who buys a gun
and americans...well to put it simply for brits.....Its a mental disorder that dates back to the revolution
and to provide a (pathetic) counter example Finnish villages tend to make their own guns and treat it as their buddy

[DesAnges]

bcause if im correct
they are the only "liberals" that support gun control
may be wrong but....
HEY EUROPE HELP ME OUT!!

I'm a leftie and I am a massive fan of gun control. Why?

Because there is a substantially reduced chance that the guy mugging me or breaking into my home is going to be carrying a gun.That makes me a lot safer, on the whole.

[The Merchant Republics]

I'm a (reluctant) Democrat, and I support gun regulation because I believe that people are generally shit, and need to be restricted in reasonable ways, like banning automatics, registering guns, and generally putting the same laws we have about cars in place around guns.

What I find odd is the dissonance in democrats between:
A. most people are "shit" let's not let them have guns.
And
B. no one's truly "shit", it's just that they haven't had the right opportunities, so let's force rich people to pay for them.

[Samuraikoku]

Because Democrats are Tau, not Orks.

[Neo Art]

I'm a (reluctant) Democrat, and I support gun regulation because I believe that people are generally shit, and need to be restricted in reasonable ways, like banning automatics, registering guns, and generally putting the same laws we have about cars in place around guns.

What I find odd is the dissonance in democrats between:
A. most people are "shit" let's not let them have guns.
And
B. no one's truly "shit", it's just that they haven't had the right opportunities, so let's force rich people to pay for them.

Really? You actually have problems making the distinction here? REALLY?

[Hydesland]

As a Brit I will never agree with the current US policy on guns, but at the same time it seems so pointless to try and do anything substantial on it: I am sure the blowback from gun supporters, the gun lobby, republicans and many independents would be absolutely immense, leading to a very hostile atmosphere throughout the united states that could kick off at any moment.

[Antiliberalbis]

Because as rational as Democrats make themselves seem on the outside, on the inside they are guided almost solely by pathos-fueled rhetoric such as "I hate guns because they are wrong." If something simply makes them feel a certain way, that determines their stance on the issue. No rational thought or research required.

[Nova Imperius]

Because not all Gun users are safe and even if 1 in a million are bad, its not worth it. The recent shootings are a horrible example why a 18th century law needs updated