this post was submitted on 27 Feb 2024
268 points (96.5% liked)

politics

19120 readers
2645 users here now

Welcome to the discussion of US Politics!

Rules:

  1. Post only links to articles, Title must fairly describe link contents. If your title differs from the site’s, it should only be to add context or be more descriptive. Do not post entire articles in the body or in the comments.

Links must be to the original source, not an aggregator like Google Amp, MSN, or Yahoo.

Example:

  1. Articles must be relevant to politics. Links must be to quality and original content. Articles should be worth reading. Clickbait, stub articles, and rehosted or stolen content are not allowed. Check your source for Reliability and Bias here.
  2. Be civil, No violations of TOS. It’s OK to say the subject of an article is behaving like a (pejorative, pejorative). It’s NOT OK to say another USER is (pejorative). Strong language is fine, just not directed at other members. Engage in good-faith and with respect! This includes accusing another user of being a bot or paid actor. Trolling is uncivil and is grounds for removal and/or a community ban.
  3. No memes, trolling, or low-effort comments. Reposts, misinformation, off-topic, trolling, or offensive. Similarly, if you see posts along these lines, do not engage. Report them, block them, and live a happier life than they do. We see too many slapfights that boil down to "Mom! He's bugging me!" and "I'm not touching you!" Going forward, slapfights will result in removed comments and temp bans to cool off.
  4. Vote based on comment quality, not agreement. This community aims to foster discussion; please reward people for putting effort into articulating their viewpoint, even if you disagree with it.
  5. No hate speech, slurs, celebrating death, advocating violence, or abusive language. This will result in a ban. Usernames containing racist, or inappropriate slurs will be banned without warning

We ask that the users report any comment or post that violate the rules, to use critical thinking when reading, posting or commenting. Users that post off-topic spam, advocate violence, have multiple comments or posts removed, weaponize reports or violate the code of conduct will be banned.

All posts and comments will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This means that some content that violates the rules may be allowed, while other content that does not violate the rules may be removed. The moderators retain the right to remove any content and ban users.

That's all the rules!

Civic Links

Register To Vote

Citizenship Resource Center

Congressional Awards Program

Federal Government Agencies

Library of Congress Legislative Resources

The White House

U.S. House of Representatives

U.S. Senate

Partnered Communities:

News

World News

Business News

Political Discussion

Ask Politics

Military News

Global Politics

Moderate Politics

Progressive Politics

UK Politics

Canadian Politics

Australian Politics

New Zealand Politics

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] elliot_crane@lemmy.world 12 points 8 months ago (5 children)

I consider myself left of center, in the US at least. I’m in favor of a more careful and measured approach to gun ownership in general. That all being said, when I watched an angry mob attempt to overthrow the federal government, my liberal ass went out and bought a gun. Those lunatics proved they’d happily lynch politicians from their own party, I sleep sounder with my gun safe nearby.

[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 9 points 8 months ago (2 children)

I keep repeating: Women, POC and LGBT folks have been the largest gun purchasing demographic in America for the past few years. Maybe liberal suburban boys should wonder what those people are seeing?

And I repeat again: Owning a gun does NOT make you safe. Unless you practice, train, practice some more and carry (carrying is another form of practice), you're less safe. If you haven't put 1,000 rounds through your weapon, in varying conditions, keep going.

It's a big responsibility. If you don't want to take it on, that's your right. I chose to take it on, as is my right. If they start loading trains, I'll fight for you all, best I can anyway, which ain't much.

[–] elliot_crane@lemmy.world 3 points 8 months ago

I agree with everything you’ve said, and yes, I do practice at the range. I can’t exactly carry a rifle where I live though, and getting a CCW here is a nightmare.

[–] rayyy@lemmy.world 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Right on, and here's an excellent, but sober video people need to watch, and re-watch.

[–] TruthAintEasy@kbin.social 2 points 8 months ago

Wow, thank you for that. Very informative

[–] jordanlund@lemmy.world 7 points 8 months ago

Living in Proud Boy Central, I agree. Though things have calmed down a bit since the arrests. Hard to tell though if it were that or the rainy season. :) I guess we'll find out in the Spring.

https://www.opb.org/article/2023/07/21/proud-boy-tusitala-tiny-toese-sentenced-8-years-prison-violence-portland-rallies/

https://www.opb.org/article/2024/01/24/marc-bru-proud-boys-january-6-portland/

[–] TruthAintEasy@kbin.social 3 points 8 months ago (2 children)

And that is 100% understandable despite the fact that the mere act of owning a firearm increases your chances of being involved in gun violence. What a world we live in

[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 4 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Perhaps the people who own guns are more prone to violence, or live in more violent areas? Believed that stat for years, but since I started shooting, I've read a lot more and now question it.

[–] TruthAintEasy@kbin.social 3 points 8 months ago

The responsable gun owners outnumber the nutters by a wide margin.

It comes down to the nature of probability. Say there is a 5% chance of something happening. At 5% you could see 100 or more potential instances that never come to fruition, or it can happen the first time the potentiality comes into play.

Being a responsable owner, who only would ever rely on the gun when all other options are exhausted greatly reduces the risk but it can never go all the way to zero.

The other side of this coin is guns make it so easy to commit impulsive suicide over something that isnt going to bother you anymore in a few weeks if you actually had faced the situational depression or whatever it is. Making suicide inconvenient stops a lot of people stuck in an 'I give up!' headspace, and of course it does, they will give up on that too if it isnt easy to pull off.

[–] meco03211@lemmy.world 3 points 8 months ago (2 children)

I've heard this and don't doubt that it's true. I just can't help but wonder what causal effects have been determined for that.

[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 3 points 8 months ago

LOL, just said the same, but not nearly as succinct.

[–] TruthAintEasy@kbin.social 0 points 8 months ago

When you fight the robber, their bullets will hit you and your family. When the road rager draws on you first and you draw too, even if your faster his bullets might hit you or your family. Dont even get me on the cops... 5 of their 82 shots will hit you just because you informed them of your cc permit and firearm at a traffic stop.

And say you successfully defend your life with a gun, but one of your shot's missed and strikes a child? I couldnt live with that, it would be time to fire my last bullet.

[–] dirthawker0@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago

Left liberal Asian American who's owned various pellet guns/rifles for plinking, and have a lovely antique shotgun that I've fired a handful of times. My dad passed and shortly before Covid, I ended up with his .22 Colt pistol from the 60s. Did the legal inheritance transfer, cleaned it up. Covid happened and although I knew there would never be a lynch mob at my doorstep, I felt a pinch safer having it around.

[–] rayyy@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago

If you bought a firearm for protection you must watch this. Too many people think owning a firearm is all they need. Lack of skill and knowledge will get only you and your family killed. Please share this rather dark video with your like-minded friends - it very well may save their lives in the near furure.