I can support a reasonable new gun control law

[bluestateguy]

And coming from me, a big 2nd Amendment supporter, that is a big admission. I have been known as part of DU's pro-gun faction for years now. But I am at about the end of my rope with the gun culture and the NRA's entitlement mentality and paranoia.

I am not an expert in how to define semi-automatic weapons, and neither are most of the politicians, but with care and thoughtful consideration (not rash sweeping generalizations) I am sure we can devise a new assault weapon ban that bars guns that have no purpose other than to kill people en masse. There are some guns that have no self-defense or hunting purposes at all and should be barred by law. No, that won't extricate them from the face of the Earth, and current owners will be grandfathered in because a confiscation program would not work; but we ban a lot of things from private possession (meth, child pornography, etc.) even though these items still exist in private hands. We ban them because they are repulsive and we regard them as so abhorrent that they should not be legitimate goods to be bought or sold.

A national buyback program would be good too, if it was no questions asked, no names taken.

I'd also close the gun show loophole; this will still enable 99% of gun buyers to get their weapon right there. All laws have to be updated to reflect technological changes.

I continue to support the right of law-abiding, mentally sane adults to conceal and carry, but I regard that as more of a privilege granted by individual states, and not a constitutional right. If you want to carry, you should be background checked and must take a training course, although I would leave these policies up to the states. Additionally, private businesses and institutions should enjoy the right to ban carrying of firearms on their property. That's their decision, and anyone who doesn't approve can choose to not patronize those establishments.

[Undismayed]

1. Could you elaborate on what you mean by "entitlement mentality" ?

[bluestateguy]

2. I'll do this once because I am not going to argue about this

But a mindset that expects to get what you want when you want as a matter of right. A selfishness and lack of concern for the community, other than your own constituents.

[Undismayed]

3. That describes every lobby in the history of the world.

Getting what you want at someone else's expense. It's all a wash, really.

[lastlib]

4. I'll go you one better--I could support an UNreasonable gun law....

...if it banned assault weapons and high-capacity magazines/clips.