Vox reports Ted Cruz accidentally arguing for gun control. From the story [emphasis mine]:
“Evil is evil is evil,” Cruz said on CNN, “and will use the weaponry that is available.”
Thanks Ted! if only you understood the meaning of your own words.
I am one of the liberals that the gun wielding right wing hate, and the gun enthusiasts on the left as well. If I had my way, we would repeal the second amendment in its entirety.
I hear shouts… “What, no guns at all??? OMFG! What about hunting? Target Shooting? And what about Snipe hunts for ‘eavens sake!”
Relax, repealing the 2nd amendment only means it ceases to be a constitutional right, and an oft, in my opinion, misinterpreted right. I believe the “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state” part of the amendment has weight and that what comes after is in the context of a well regulated militia, i.e. sure you can get a gun... through your local well regulated militia which will teach you to use it safely, and will also evaluate you for maturity and ability to use your arms responsibly. I know there have been long Supreme Court and other debates on how the hell that amendment should be interpreted, so no need to argue that point in the comments. I have seen Penn and Tellers counter argument and to me it misses the point that the first part that I quoted above is an incomplete sentence, and yes even an incomplete thought, that needs the second part to complete both. The second part stands on its own, so if it was meant to be interpreted on its own, why put the first part in at all?
So what do I propose in lieu of the 2nd amendment? Federal laws outlining minimum requirements to own a firearm along with the type(s) of firearms one can purchase and/or possess legally. States of course could impose stricter rules if they want. You want to get a hunting rifle? You have to show you have taken a hunting safety course, a firearm safety course, your weapons have to be registered, you have to pass a state run test, written, practical (i.e. on a shooting range), and background checks. And you have to renew your registration annually… just like you have to do to drive a fucking car. We have to do these things to get a driver’s license because in order to drive a car safely and avoid hurting or killing people, there are some things you have to know. If you fail your driving test, you don’t get to drive. Likewise if you fail your firearms test you don’t get a gun. And a car has a purpose other than hurting or killing things, whereas guns do not. So why can’t we at least have a system for guns like we have for cars? Why is that in any way unreasonable? I know most people here won’t think it is, well maybe some will but my bet is they are the vast minority of DK readers.
To take the analogy further, if you are going to drive a car that is potentially more dangerous, like a semi-truck, then you need to take further classes and pass further tests to get that license. So if you want a hand gun, that’s another level of license and more tests and classes. A semi-automatic? Hold on, not so fast…