“It’s just a shame that these children are dying and we won’t do anything out of regard for some words on a piece of centuries old paper.”–First of all, it is these poor, poor children who pose the greatest threat to each other and to every other citizen. Do you really believe that the police will be there when one of these “innocent” children decides to shoot you to impress their equally ignorant friends? Secondly, words on a piece of centuries old paper? Please. The people who participated in the writing of that document were ages ahead of their time in terms of intelligence and forethought. It isn’t respect for mere words, it is respect for ideas and ideals which our current, elitist political system cannot even fathom. I am ashamed to be part of this Idiocracy in which basic freedoms are taken for granted so much that you would even utter such a clearly mindless statement. Wake up before it’s too late–if it isn’t already too late.

I agree with you - and if you go back to the original post, I don’t know that getting rid of guns would solve things because we seem to be inherently violent.

From a more philosophical perspective, I just feel that a civilized society needs to have civilized goals. You can’t be a great nation without a few things–great art, great schools, accessible healthcare, innovative leadership, responsible citizens and civilized debate. There are certain behaviors that are too reminiscent of animals or barbarians, and do not have a place in a civilized human culture. Settling debate with violence is one of them.

In college, I had an anthropology professor that was teaching us that in primate culture, they will go to battle with one another for baring their teeth. And he had a student comment on how aggressive animals can be, to which the professor said, “Really? Men go to war over less.” So maybe I’m completely wrong–maybe it’s just part of our nature as humans to want to settle things with blood. Who the hell knows? But shouldn’t we be evolving away from those practices, if we hope to survive as a species?

I guess I’m starting to sound too much like an episode of Star Trek.

When I first bought a cell phone 10 years ago like so many other people, it was only in the case of emergency. You know if the car broke down, was going to be late, etc. As you drive around, notice how many “emergencies” are taking place as people drive. Guns would be the same way. Sure you’d have it in case of emergency, but the next time someone pisses you off in traffic - there’s your trusty Uzi to handle the situation.