But for the most part the relevant and applicable amendments in the Bill of Rights have been found to be incorporated against the States. I think that's a good thing, generally.

New Yorkers at risk of foreclosure.

Tom Vellucci Lawsuit

While it may be a good thing, it's entirely made up. There is no constitutional basis for incorporation. In fact, James Madison's original speech to the 1st congress in June, 1789 which was a proposal for our Bill of Rights contained language to impose the speech requirements of the 1st amendment on the states, but it was rejected by the Congress.

I'm sure that the difference between a semi-automatic and an automatic weapon made a huge difference to the 40+ victims at Virginia Tech and Columbine. I believe that semiautomatic weapons, purchased legally, were used in both massacres. Do you think they found those weapons to be fun?? Or the eight year old boy who accidentally killed himself at a gun show this past October when he lost control of the Uzi they let him try. I'm sure that was FUN!

Why did they have bullets in the gun to begin with? That was stupidity on the gun vendors/parents parts. Everytime the Col has looked at a gun the gun owner/sales person has always looked in the chamber to make sure there was no ammo in it.

i have no idea why they sell those guns...the only ones that should have anything near that would be swat or the armed forces...regular citizens should just be able to have hand guns (pistols, magnums) and hunting rifles.

You kidding me??

Look, I'm ALL for airport security for obvious reasons -- but to make a big stink over someone walking a shortcut cuz security WASN'T THERE -- and not blaming it on security but some student??? Give me a break!!

But, at least now we know my former residence isn't really pronounced Piss-the-cat-away -- close, tho! Piscataway (pihs-KAT'-uh-way)

The constitutional basis for incorporation is the Due Process clause of the 14th Amendment.

That is the basis that is used. However, that use eschews the original intent of the amendment's framers and ratifiers.

You're selectively answering the questions, Mig. Babe asked you a two part question, yet you conveniently answered only one, so I'll ask you.

What about Columbine? What about Virginia Tech?

If Becky were there and, God forbid, she was killed, would the fact that she was killed by a LEGAL AUTOMATIC WEAPON still be outweighed by the fact that they're "fun to shoot"?

Fatherson made a very astute post about the different cultures in the United States and guns being part of people's lives in rural areas. I agree 100%. I vacationed in upstate New York all throughout my childhood, and as a teenager, yes, shooting a rifle or a shotgun up in the Catskills was a thrill; a right of passage. I'm a meat eater. I fully support hunters, as long as they're hunting for food and not for the "thrill of the kill."

That said, there isn't a single, solitary reason why assault weapons should be legal. Not one. They're sole purpose is the kill the most people in the least amount of time. Great for a war, but INSANE for John Q. Public (or Jane in your case) to own because "they're fun to shoot."

The truth is, if the weapons at the aforementioned college campuses hadn't been automatic, most of those young people would still be alive today. So why don't you write a letter to their parents telling them how much fun you and the Colonel have in the backyard shooting at trees. I'm sure they'll understand .

Additionally, he wasn't LOOKING at the gun, he was shooting it. It was perfectly legal for this child to shoot a gun like that as long as he is supervised by an instructor and has a parent's permission.

How absurd is that? Can an eight year old buy liquor? Cigarettes? Drive a car? That's all illegal. However, feel free to let him shoot an Uzi.

I love people who want to legislate who I can marry, whether I can have an abortion or not, but don't you dare legislate this deadly weapon I want to own.

There are two perspectives from which we debate this issue both of which have been expressed on this Board: emotional or practical, and Constitutional. PB and SB ask why anyone wants or needs an automatic weapon. Good question. Mig asks why should anyone have to explain why they want one. Good question too. Having fired an automatic weapon counteless times I can understand how some people might get a thrill from it. On the other hand, I also understand how dangerous they can be even in the right hands. I think it's reasonable for we citizens to have our state and federal governments constrain their availability and use. As I've stated above, I don't think the framers and ratifiers of the 2nd amendment would countenance the unabridged keeping and bearing of arms of any type. As PB has pointed out, it was a different world back then and the individuals who occupied it back then did not have the firepower available to them to wreak havoc upon their world with a firearm as they do have today. We must take that into account.

The shootings that happened at those schools were tragic to say the least. IMO those sick bastards could've used any kind of gun and people would've lost their lives. I agree with you guys to a point. I think there needs to be a better checking system on who can buy these types of weapons. If they have a shady background etc then hell no they shouldn't be able to buy one. But what is wrong with me/Col/anyone else who just use it(not in my yard) but on a target range just to shoot? Who are we hurting?



God forbid if Bec was killed at that school she would not want us to give up our guns. She believes in guns and gun rights and she has one of her own and her hubby does also. She likes to shoot our AK & AR all 3 of my kids do.

If a 8 year old is mature enough to repect the gun take a gun safety course then yes he/she should be able to hunt/target practice whatever. In some of the Col's hunting magazines you see the kids that hunt. When my youngest took his safety course there were kids younger than him in the class there were more girls than boys in the class and there were more kids than adults.

A perfect example of why cousins shouldn't procreate.

There's no hope for you, Mig.

It's tragic, but I do understand. You grew up in a culture that stressed guns and moonshine as opposed to education and literacy. It's not your fault.

You don't want to confuse her, SC.

From Merriam-Webster (that's a dictionary, y'all):

Procreate: To beget or bring forth offspring.

Seriously, I can't breathe. LMFAO!

I hope you are just joking cuz I did not grow up in that culture. I married into it. I will have you know that I am fucking proud of the Col's family and where they are from. There is nothing wrong with being a hillbilly from KY or WVA or anywhere else on this fucking planet. I am so sorry that we weren't privileged enough to be brought up in NY where the educated people are from.

Why thank ye for the book learin today.What are you gonna learn us uneducated hilbillies tomorrow? I guess now I can go fix a mess of road kill stew for my inbread kin folks.

Hmmm.... What have I wandered into?



Them's fightin' words!


Signor V.

Don't be insulting other members, PB (and anyone for that matter)! It's uncalled for. Her opinion is no more valid or invalid as yours -- they're just different. You'd think a big city boy like yourself would've learned something called tolerance and respect for cultural differences.

Don't listen to them, Mig.

That it's "teach" in the context you're wanting to use it.

1/2 J/K

Don't be upset Mig. Not all of us New Yawkers feel that way about those who grew up in your neck of the woods. Especially about you!

PB, I know that Geoff has addressed what you posted. However I must add my 2 cents.

If you were serious in what you posted, then I must be very frank with you when I say that you, of all people, really surprise me in insinuating that Mig and her family are uneducated and illiterate. I think that you would feel very different about her and her family had you shown up to just one of the get togethers that you said you would be coming to.

I hope that like SC, you were only kidding. And if so then I apologize in advance.

I honestly don't feel that I didn't insult her, Geoff. Please re-read my post.

I went out of my way to say that her opinions were formed as a byproduct of the culture that she grew up in (or married into). I said I understand. I said it's not her fault. I think that's the very defintion of tolerance.

And the truth is, the "Big City Boy" remark is kind of condascending. But you're the boss.

"And I want everyone here to know -- there's not gonna be no trouble from me!"

Quick, what movie?

This from someone who comes from a part of the world where some ask if you would like
"A Spot of tea?" Always wondered WTF a "SPOT of tea" really was!!

1/2 J/K

Damn.

.. Boobies!!

But I was insulted. But hey,no worries I'll share a plate of tangle guts with you when they come out in the spring.

I just heard a 6.5 earthquake just struck Northern California, 22 miles west of Ferndale. I don't know where exactly Ferndale is but that's a pretty good size quake. Blib, you're in NoCal, are you ok? Are in in the vicinity?

TIS

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34785860/ns/us_news-life/