OK, DU gun-toters.....

[zanne]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07087/773066-59.stm I was informed by the mods that gun posts ARE allowed in GD, so I'm posting one. I'm just curious to see all the pro-gun people justify this. (I'm sure you can).

[madinmaryland]

1. Sounds like a republican liar to me.

Lot of that going around these days.

[Squatch]

2. Justify what?

What, exactly, do you want us to justify? The Senator's alleged criminal negligence? The kid's decision to commit suicide?

I've seen some trolling OPs in the past, but this one is right up there with the worst of them.

[agtcovert]

8. I realize I'm pretty new around here...

but I've got to agree, the temperature is likely to rise with a post like this.

Based on the news story, the guy sounds like a complete liar -- and if we have anything to learn from the current state of affairs, they all seem comfortable with that.

Beyond his lack of affinity for the truth, he's a complete moron. It seems allowed unrestricted access to a firearm and didn't report the theft/disappearance of said firearm.

I can't justify any of those actions, and I doubt any one else on here would either.

[BushOut06]

3. Sounds like flamebait to me

Gun posts may be allowed in GD, but flamebait sure as hell isn't. Has ANYONE here ever tried to justify leaving firearms within easy access of minors? There are quite a few responsible gun-owning members here on DU - but your very subject line seems inflammatory, along with "I'm just curious to see all the pro-gun people justify this" bullshit line. That's a straw man if I've ever seen one.

[PVnRT]

5. Yep

The True Believers, of course, just think that anyone who owns a gun is by definition an NRA fuckwit, "infiltrating" DU to do....something.

[EstimatedProphet]

11. But...but...

you have to remember that ALL GUN OWNERS ARE EVIL! The only reason anyone would own a gun is to kill people, so ALL GUN OWNERS ARE MURDERERS!

Crikey.

[realisticphish]

4. I'm not a hardcore gun person

but this is Grade A flame bait. That's like saying people who like cars need to justify drunk driving.

[michreject]

6. Be specific

Justify what?

[EstimatedProphet]

7. I justify it in that he is responsible

HIM, not ALL GUN OWNERS.

The thing that could have prevented this is someone actually paying attention to what was going on, and giving responsible gun training to the kid, and also making the senator responsible for his actions. He's the one that owned the gun, so he's the one that's responsible for it. And if it were indeed a suicide as they claimed, then the real failure is that the kid didn't get the attention he needed to work out his issues. Kids also slit their wrists. Should razors be banned too?

[ThomWV]

9. Why Do You Hate My Constutional Rights

Your kind never changes their tune - if someone invades your rights then the world should rise up in arms to defend you but when you invade my rights its is clear to you that I am some sort of homicidal idiot. All I can say is have a nice day. I still have my guns and its not a bit likely that some pip-squeek is going to take them from me.

[seabeyond]

10. i am anti gun.... will stand up for ones right to own. and see NO REASON

for anyones need to justify shit per this article. the irresponsible should be punished. laws are in place

[Ghost in the Machine]

12. I'm "pro gun", but I can't justify this.

How do you justify a lying sack of shit Republican Senator?

By Michael A. Fuoco and Jonathan D. Silver, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette



State Sen. Robert Regola III yesterday was criminally charged in connection with the suicide of a 14-year-old next-door neighbor who shot himself with the senator's 9 mm pistol in July.

Mr. Regola, 44, a Republican from Hempfield, is accused of lying under oath about the gun's location and access in testimony during a two-day coroner's inquest last month into the death of Louis A.J. Farrell, who would have turned 15 today.

Or, are you just broad brushing "gun toters" as being unethical lying republicans? Not all of us "gun toters" are irresponsible gun owners who leave weapons laying around for kids to get ahold of, nor do we place them in a minor's bedroom, in clear violation of state and federal laws.

Go ahead, try to make "gun toters" a boogeyman.... but who are you going to hide behind and depend on to protect you when society breaks down into anarchy?

[mainegreen]

13. Justify what? Obviously you think something should change, but wont say what.

If not, please state an opinion of some sort.

[Squatch]

14. It's a drive-by

[mainegreen]

15. Ah yes. I just noticed you said the same thing up thread!

This shit drives me nuts.

[Ganja Ninja]

16. I'm a gun owner so now I'm responsible for someone else's gun?

What's next? I'm a car owner so I'm responsible for someone else's bad driving?

[ProfessorGAC]

17. I Don't Own A Gun, And Even I Don't Get The Point

I've got nothing to defend, justify or rationalize. But, i don't see how this is anything but a suspicious suicide in which an unguarded gun was used. What does that have to do with "gun-toting"?
The Professor

[MethuenProgressive]

18. Not all gun owners are pro-NRA gun nuts, zanne.

I detest the NRA, support an assault weapon ban, and think gun laws should not only be tougher but should be strongly enforced.
I also own guns and shoot a couple of geese every year.
You need to open your mind to the fact that not every gun owner is a gun nut, zanne.

[rpannier]

19. I don't own a gun

I despise pepe lapierre and the national rifle association

But (IMO) blaming this situation on guns is like blaming the internet for teh rise in child pornography.
Irresponsible people do irresponsible things.
Responsible people know how to respect the rights they have.

[LaurenG]

20. Locking

Flamebait.