Quote:Like they did in that divergent movie? Lol....


But what about the suggestion of banning military style weapons and large ammo clips?

Well, a few things. First, a ban on such weapons and clips might well mitigate damage, However, as I stated in another thread (sorry if this is repetitive), while I think such weapons are of little distinct value outside of a battlefield, my libertarian side (hmm, is that the one on the left shoulder or the right  ) is hesitant to call for a ban without a really strong justification. And as I state, that is not due to the second amendment. A case could be made for far more stringent gun control being in line with the second amendment in my opinion. Simply opposition to decreasing people's rights. But I think it is up for discussion. Would saving 100  lives justify such a ban?  100,000? It is not as simple a utilitarian calculation of course, but those might be considered points for discussion. 

 

Also, just another note. that comment about gun violence. I was talking with a buddy the other night regarding the whole 'assault weapon' and magazine size thing (he is partial to Glocks), and he said that the stats like the ones you quote also include suicides. Just mentioning that, because, if I recall correctly, the most expansive list I have seen that explicitly filters mags and AR's, from Mother Jones, limits the impact in mass shootings to 1/3. But for suicide, it might have zero impact, and for any other scenario where you use a gun for violence, I am not sure what difference such a ban would make. 

 

Finally, the whole watch list thing has its own issues. I will merely start by stating it is my understanding that such a restriction would have had no impact the Orlando case, or an any other mass shooting in America. Correct me if I am wrong. Also, while this might be more of a black swan thing, could such a restriction be used inversely? Say an individual was planning something REALLY bad. Could applying for a gun and being denied tip them that they were under surveillance, or would this be the same as the no-fly list? This ine might be out there, but it popped into my head as a possible unintended consequence.

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