I didn't say I was a proponent of banning anything, I'm a gun owner myself. I do agree with you to a certain extent that guns are inanimate objects however, they are an efficient way of killing. That is their purpose and in looking at statistics around the globe, I think we can agree that the US has a gun problem that could be mitigated by stricter gun laws.
Sure, people could turn to other methods to kill... Doesn't seem to happen very much where gun laws are very strict though does it?
I believe both will become more difficult under one administration and legal immigration will become easier under the other. Things always look tidy in black and white though... It'll probably be a mother fucker regardless. I personally would like to see easier immigration processes.
If we can agree that guns are inanimate objects with no will of their own (until Skynet takes over
), then I hope we can also agree that regardless if an inanimate object is deemed efficient or not, it doesn't preclude the fact there must be motive and intent for said object to be used in such a matter. The problem always was and always will be people, not the guns.
I'm not sure what you're saying between global statistics in relation to US gun issues, with the answer being stricter gun laws and the comment that other methods of lethal force such as knives or bombs are not in use in strict gun law locations. Unless I'm just flat out reading your post wrong, it seems to be contradictory. Then again, I am multitasking like a mutherfuckr right now, lol.
Also, I'm not up to date on the statistics, so please correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I gather, the U.S. cities with the strictest gun laws are also those with the highest gun related crimes.
Similar to immigration policies, I think gun laws should get a a fresh look and maybe some changes are in order. However, I don't think the answers reside in banning or cost prohibitive measures (not saying you think this either). I think there should a focus on education and perhaps looking at ways to evaluate gun owners screening for a history of violent acts and documented mental disorders. Maybe requiring people take and regularly update their firearm safety before getting licensed.
Personally I think the immigration policies need to be reevaluated. But I don't support amnesty for those here illegally, regardless of how arduous the legal process currently is.
A possible solution for those here illegally might be to document them but not grant citizenship until cleared of any criminal history and waiting until the others that are currently in line for citizenship have completed the process. This way families can stay together while waiting for their turn. The ones with criminal histories should be sent back immediately.
If they've been cleared of criminal history and while they're waiting to become citizens, temporary work visas should be issued. This work visa should be up for revaluation every year as to assess their value as a citizen (adding value to society and not committing crimes). Additionally, they should be required to have and hold a job for a period of time. That being said, I don't think they should receive American citizens' tax payer funded benefits.
They should invest (tax dollars) and wait until they are citizens before receiving things like the right to vote, unemployment or disability, Medicaid, pell grants, ect. This is not to say that they cannot receive returns for tax dollars invested - not including what they already receive in the use of public lands, infrastructures, and services - but they have to wait until becoming full citizens. They're contributions will be accounted for and credited to their tax id account once officially full fledged citizens.
