Thread: So let's talk about gun control

Will outlawing assault rifles stop mass killings? Of course not. Wannabe mass murderers will just have to get them illegally, which is probably easier than getting them legally. Or use different weapons and maybe have to settle for killing less people and not becoming an instant overnight superstar like Holmes did.

Is it a good idea not to sell assault rifles to the general public? Of course - but since so many of them are already in circulation making them illegal again is kind of like closing the barn door after the cows have already got out. The only type of potential mass killer it will stop are those who are teetering on the verge of a spur of the moment killing spree and have access to assault weapons in a friend or family member's collection. Anyone who takes the time and effort to plan out a killing spree can obviously get ahold of whatever kind of weapons they want if they have the money and connections.

I do think it's a good idea to make assault weapons illegal for the general public - I just think it was an incredibly bonehead move to legalize them in the 90's or whenever it was and get thousands of them out there. I also wish mass media would stop making rock stars out of the murderers every time this happens. I think that's a more important step than any gun control law, unless they were going to only allow each family to own say 1 handgun and 1 rifle. Why let people stockpile weapons?