How WRONG is the NRA

[ChrisfromDenver]

to paraphrase "For the protection of our kids. . .lets arm all the schools"

Really, NRA. I know you guys are mostly a spokesman for the gun makers and not us normal citizens. And a world where everyone has a armed guard would no doubt boost your profits. . .but are these companies going to, out of the goodness of their hearts, give these firearms for free? and the training?

No Mr NRA? You want us to pay?

You want us to Arm schools when the trend in violence in schools is down, a straight downward trend since the 90s without those guns?

You want us to pay a expenese, that could put seatbelts on EVERY school bus in the united states, and save thousands more lives?

Or you want us to pay that expense, instead of maybe mandating flu shots for kids (save 4x as many kids as spree shootings took in 2012)

Or maybe lighting helmets? for our kids? that would be a even investment vs. school shootings


The issue isn't that schools aren't unsafe, mr NRA. The issue isn't criminals (who normally shoot each other, not our kids . . .and even that, they are shooting less than ever).

The issue isn't more guns in a school to be used by accident, to shoot a ups driver, or to stop a kid from throwing a temper tantrum, to settle a domestic violence episode, or even suicide - ALL OF WHICH ARE MORE LIKELY THAN STOPPING a 1 in 4 million spree killing.


The issue is crazy people getting guns, and having the ability to load these up with more bullets than kids.

Lets take the NRA at what they are, the ones who benefit from EVERY human being having a gun and using those guns to settle everything.

 

[Katzndogz]

If you are correct, that the trend in schools is to less violence, then we don't need to arm the schools or disarm the people either.

 

[thanatos144]

What is it about empowering people with ability to defend themselves scares you progressives so much?

 

[P F Tinmore]

Never mentioned by the gun grabbers is that all these mass shootings happen in "gun free zones" where the perps know that their gun will be the only one there.

 

[midcan5]

Read 'Columbine' excellent journalism and tells the whole story.

"Late in 1997, Eric took notice of school shooters. "Every day news broadcasts stories of students shooting students, or going on killing sprees," he wrote. He researched the possibilities for an English paper. Guns were cheap and readily available. Gun Digest said you could get a Saturday night special for $69. And schools were easy targets. "It is just as easy to bring a loaded handgun to school as it is to bring a calculator," Eric wrote... "Ouch!" his teacher responded in the margin. Overall, he rated it "thorough & logical. Nice job." 'Columbine' p199 by Dave Cullen


"No other civilized country in the world comes close to the number of violent gun deaths that occur in this country in a year. Of course, no laws can guarantee there will never be anymore gun violence, but maybe they at least cut down on this senseless slaughter." Civilized societies regulate guns - Las Vegas Sun News

 

[The Rabbi]

What is it about empowering people with ability to defend themselves scares you progressives so much?

The Left speaks about average citizens but is really scared of them. They are scared of the underclass as well.
I dont like the NRA proposal too much in part because a visible presence becomes an inviting target. Teachers who sign up to be armed and trained make more sense.

 

[peach174]

The trend in Violence in Schools is down?
Seems like President Clinton's idea works then huh?
April 16, 2000

Marking the first anniversary of the shooting deaths at Columbine High School, President Clinton announced $120 million in new federal grants Saturday to place more police officers in schools and help even the youngest kids cope with their problems.

Clinton also unveiled the $60-million fifth round of funding for "COPS in School," a Justice Department program that helps pay the costs of placing police officers in schools to help make them safer for students and teachers. The money will be used to provide 452 officers in schools in more than 220 communities.

It was a great idea when President Clinton did it, but now that the NRA says it, it's a nutty and stupid idea.

 

[Mad Scientist]

If you believe the TSA protects you at Airports then you HAVE to believe that the TSA or a similar Police Agency will protect our kids in schools.

 

[dblack]

The NRA has jumped the shark on this one. No response at all would have been better than something so ridiculous. Yeah - teachers packing heat is going to make schools safer. Right.

 

[midcan5]

"The logic is inexorable: as more private individuals acquire guns, the power of the police declines, personal security becomes more a matter of self-help, and the unarmed have an increasing incentive to get guns, until everyone is armed. When most citizens then have the ability to kill anyone in their vicinity in an instant, everyone is less secure than they would be if no one had guns other than the members of a democratically accountable police force.

The logic of private gun possession is thus similar to that of the nuclear arms race. When only one state gets nuclear weapons, it enhances its own security but reduces that of others, which have become more vulnerable. The other states then have an incentive to get nuclear weapons to try to restore their security. As more states get them, the incentives for others increase. If eventually all get them, the potential for catastrophe — whether through irrationality, misperception, or accident — is great. Each state’s security is then much lower than it would be if none had nuclear weapons." Gun 'Control' Is Not Enough - NYTimes.com

 

[The Rabbi]

The NRA has jumped the shark on this one. No response at all would have been better than something so ridiculous. Yeah - teachers packing heat is going to make schools safer. Right.

Remind me why it won't.

 

[peach174]

The NRA has jumped the shark on this one. No response at all would have been better than something so ridiculous. Yeah - teachers packing heat is going to make schools safer. Right.

LaPierre never said that teachers should pack heat.
He said Police and armed guards.

 

[P F Tinmore]

"The logic is inexorable: as more private individuals acquire guns, the power of the police declines, personal security becomes more a matter of self-help, and the unarmed have an increasing incentive to get guns, until everyone is armed. When most citizens then have the ability to kill anyone in their vicinity in an instant, everyone is less secure than they would be if no one had guns other than the members of a democratically accountable police force.

The logic of private gun possession is thus similar to that of the nuclear arms race. When only one state gets nuclear weapons, it enhances its own security but reduces that of others, which have become more vulnerable. The other states then have an incentive to get nuclear weapons to try to restore their security. As more states get them, the incentives for others increase. If eventually all get them, the potential for catastrophe — whether through irrationality, misperception, or accident — is great. Each state’s security is then much lower than it would be if none had nuclear weapons." Gun 'Control' Is Not Enough - NYTimes.com

as more private individuals acquire guns, the power of the police declines,

The police arrive in time to count the bodies. How do they make us safer?

 

[jwoodie]

Gee, I thought this was the Clean Debate zone, and I get this rant against the NRA. What problem is the NRA responsible for and what solution is being proposed? Isn't elementary logic taught anymore?

The actual problem is how to prevent mass murders such as happened in Connecticut. Gun control may be part of a potential solution, but lack of it is not the problem (unless you have a separate agenda).

 

[eflatminor]

to paraphrase "For the protection of our kids. . .lets arm all the schools"

Pretty sure a "school" is incapable of pulling a trigger and therefore cannot be armed.

Going under the assumption that you meant to say "...let's put armed guards and/or faculty in the schools", perhaps LaPierre was just following the lead of President Bill Clinton, who championed "COPS in School," a Justice Department program that helps pay the costs of placing police officers in schools to help make them safer for students and teachers.

Clinton stated:

"Already, it has placed 2,200 officers in more than 1,000 communities across our nation, where they are heightening school safety"

President Clinton signed crime legislation passed by a Republican Congress that paid local schools to hire armed security.

For what it's worth, I disagree with both Clinton and LaPierre. The federal government should have no role in such matters. If states or local governments want to pay for armed individuals in public schools, that's their choice.

 

[jwoodie]

to paraphrase "For the protection of our kids. . .lets arm all the schools"

Pretty sure a "school" is incapable of pulling a trigger and therefore cannot be armed.

Going under the assumption that you meant to say "...let's put armed guards and/or faculty in the schools", perhaps LaPierre was just following the lead of President Bill Clinton, who championed "COPS in School," a Justice Department program that helps pay the costs of placing police officers in schools to help make them safer for students and teachers.

Clinton stated:

"Already, it has placed 2,200 officers in more than 1,000 communities across our nation, where they are heightening school safety"

President Clinton signed crime legislation passed by a Republican Congress that paid local schools to hire armed security.

For what it's worth, I disagree with both Clinton and LaPierre. The federal government should have no role in such matters. If states or local governments want to pay for armed individuals in public schools, that's their choice.

Very good point. Why not let the States to decide how best to protect their children?

 

[9thIDdoc]

"It costs too much!" Is not true, and belittles the value our children. The school at Sandy Hook failed in it's duty to it's staff, it's students and their parents.

The NRA is right on target.

 

[Katzndogz]

Keep schools gun free zones. It's worked so far.

 

[dblack]

Ron Paul rips NRA plan for officers in every school | Fox News

 

[eflatminor]

Ron Paul rips NRA plan for officers in every school | Fox News

I agree with Ron. The Feds have should have no place in education. It's a state/local issue.

I wonder though, were you so outspoken when Clinton put armed guards in schools?