To put my two, "recently ex-GOP" cents in about gun control:
I love guns, but they need to be respected. The problem isn't the gun, but the lack of respect people have for what guns are.
Growing up, my Dad had respect for guns, he taught me the same. Now, he carries them like they are toys, and it scares me because of what he taught me.
I used to be against gun control, but now I support it because of people like my Dad. People like him are losing touch with reality, they shouldn't have guns.
@TrueBloodNet I don't think ARs should be completely banned, but have really strict licensing where they can only be used on shooting ranges, and only after completing a comprehensive firearms course which needs to be repeated every couple of years to keep your holder's license.
I believe that is where many of us might find common ground.
@quinnsentialOne No. I want them banned. As ex military there is simply no reason to have them around and available. If there's some kind of uprising I don't want them raiding the local ranges and then going on a rampage.
@quinnsentialOne Appreciate the convo though. I have to go eat now maybe we can continue later time. :)
@quinnsentialOne similar experience. In neighborhood when I was kid there were gun owners, hunters mostly, but they were dead serious about safety rules and kept them locked. Current gun culture is nuts.
@Pixchips The current gun culture is incredibly scary. I didn't even feel safe with my own family in a house full of guns. It wasn't like that when I was growing up. I knew they were there, but they were rarely seen unless you were going shooting or hunting.
@quinnsentialOne Welcome to the club. My dad actually hated guns as he was a very gentle man, but I spent 2 days a week on a farm with friends. They had hunting + skeet riffles so I was taught to use them with respect. But also, the problem is SOME guns. Like assault-style weapons.