this is so amazingly painful

[zenmaster]

I don't really expect any takers either...

Taking the reasons you bring up into play tho...

1) For people wanting fun, have secured gun ranges where all automatic and assault weaponry is kept on the premises under guard and key. People can pay a premium for wanting to handle such dangerous machinery purely for novelty.

2) I think non-automatic small arms are viable for safety measures. I don't necessarily think all guns should be made illegal...

3) The 'strong' aspect is a tough one, because guns certainly hold and grant an immense amount of power. Can't argue against that one, except on a moral/ethical level (is that the type of power most of us are truly looking for?)

4) This is the only one where I think there might be an argument for assault/fully-automatic weapons. That argument would be that if the government were to 'turn' on its citizens, they would have such greater weaponry that any resistance would be futile. Therefore, normal people need rocket launchers. I think this is a fear-based 'lowest common denominator' type of argument. We all know I like a good conspiracy theory or two, but I am not one who believes the main body of government is actively trying to imprison their citizens. I think that's silly; conspiracy gone haywire. Besides, if thats the best argument we can come up with, it's not saying too much...

Gun control is not even the big issue with this case. I think we have to be open to doing things better than we have tho. Looking at all aspects is the best way to do that, imo...

the essential point is the psychological condition of the attacker.