The vocab arguably of the homogeneous 'followers'! You really need to find your own 'facts'. Its your reliance on pressure groups telling you what to think that will hinder your ability to analyse
I am not one to succumb to some exterior pressure. I do my own research and fact-finding. At least I know how it is in the real world, and not just in the pages of some journal that you worship.
You've already confirmed how you nod your head at the NRA. You certainly do not do your own research, given you're neither educated in the required empirical methodologies or have achieved basic literature review methods
The NRA wouldn't be so successful if they were telling untruths, and not basing their research on the facts. Just because they are an obvious supporter of Second-Amendment rights, does not make them an less legit. In fact, they are experts in their field.
I stand for my constitutional right to bear arms. If the state wishes to license and test me and background check me - fine.
They're a pressure group who will look to manipulate. Surely to realise the importance of individualism?
>>>I'm not disagreeing with the NRA's research, but I am disagreeing with onalandline's conclusion that Chicago and DC 'subsequently' became murder capitals with the passage of handgun bans. If that came from the NRA, it's a great big 'duh'.
You should. Objectivity is key and one expects proper research to go through a quality control process
I would consider them a counter-pressure group combating the irrational pressures from anti-gun groups, politicians, and individuals.
So your individualism involves choosing which manipulator to support? I don't bother, referring directly to primary research
The NRA is not the only group that I belong to, or source of information that I use. They base their actions on their own research and facts. If they did not base their actions on the facts, they would not be so successful in their efforts.
I'm afraid that your reliance on secondary sources will certainly hinder your objectivity. Adding raw data to that won't help, given that will merely encourage acceptance of convenient spurious relationship
So, only your journals are primary sources of this kind of objective information? I don't think so. Also, you have yet to participate in the survey attached to this thread.
My journals? Its just a fact that studies are typically published in peer reviewed academic journals. Any objective study of the topic will therefore be centred on such sources I can't as the options are meaningless. I believe in optimal gun control. That doesn't translate into 'more, less or status quo'.
Gun control can only be more, less, or the status quo. Any change will make it more or less, and no change will make it status quo. Choose the best answer then. Come on. You can do it.
Nonsense! There's no linear scale in gun control. One has to refer to 'quality' of measure. Some measures will be highly effective at impacting on homicide and suicide rates, others can be emotive reactions to crime that only impinge on the delivery of optimal policy
It takes legislation to achieve your "optimal" gun control. Therefore, there is either more legislation or less legislation to achieve that. If there is no more, or no less, then it is status quo. Just participate in the survey. I know you can do it. Choose the "optimum" choice.
You've given nonsensical categories. There's nothing else to say on the subject. The only interesting aspect are the comments made by folk to justify their choice. So far I've seen a tendency towards 'cos the NRA tell me so' and the standard 'the constitution demands it'. Hopefully we'll get something more high powered
My oldest son and I attended an excellent handgun training class this past weekend. Use, control, legal responsibilities and rights, care and feeding, equipment selection, preclusion and avoidance, off-hand/injured use of the weapon, tactics, etc. The range in age and experience of the participants was wide and deep, there was even a former anti-gunner that suffered an assault and lived to train against a the probability of a second occurrence. I have literally watched hoplophobics turn into gun enthusiasts in 15 minutes once they shoot and learn how to properly handle and respect guns.