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Reader comment on:
Gun Control Isn't Crime Control

Submitted by David Abramson, Feb 27, 2008 17:15

I agree with John: "No one intent on murder will be stopped by the prospect of committing a lesser crime like illegal possession of a firearm."

However, to make an intelligent argument, Stossel needs to compare the number of murders committed with guns against strangers, with the number of murders committed with guns on impulse by killers of people they know, whom they never planned to kill ahead of time.

Get the stats John, you'll find that occasions to stop a crazy random victim killer is light years less than the murders of loved/hated/known victims. The chance that anyone will ever be confronted with the crazed random victim killer is infinitesimally small.

The likelihood of an individual with no overt history of violence picking up a gun at hand and shooting his wife is exponentially greater. The chemical peak of rage lasts long enough to pull a trigger. It's takes longer to stab or beat someone to death.

Stossel says, "Gun advocates favor freedom, choice and self-responsibility." How does Stossel know this? Is there a shred of evidence for this assertion?

Put a gun into the hands of someone who is obsessed with "self defense" -- and you are likely putting it into the hands of an individual who is itching to have a reason to pull the trigger at some one. And, if a bad guy ain't handy…

John, would you like to attend the 5th anniversary meeting of, "Citizens with Loaded Side Arms Ready for A Shootout," and tell them that you were rethinking your position, after one of their members was put to death for shooting his wife?

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment By Date

I think that if they do take guns away that will make it more of a thrill for the killers.... [MORE]

chris joslin 

Mar 18, 2008 09:20

"… the general right one has to self defense, and the denial thereof that makes these sort of crimes possible." Ed,... [MORE]

David Abramson 

Feb 29, 2008 17:13

Abramson: "It doesn't take a genius to get that the more side arms on the street among the general public,... [MORE]

Jim S 

Mar 2, 2008 09:39

I must admit I was initially take aback by your reference to fantasy in what I had thought to be... [MORE]

Ed Shell 

Mar 3, 2008 10:57

Ed says, "Let us simplify with just the summary: The ratio is 2:1. This means there are TWO successful self... [MORE]

David Abramson 

Mar 3, 2008 13:14

Mr. Abramson, you claim to have missed the credible source quoted repeatedly by Mr. Shell. I will make it undeniably... [MORE]

Fulano Corzo 

Mar 6, 2008 20:44

Facts Mr Abramson, Here they are- From the DOJ- Firearm-related crime has plummeted since 1993, then slightly increased in 2005. Nonfatal... [MORE]

John Melton 

Mar 24, 2008 13:16

I wholly support the thesis of Mr. Stossel, above. As a Jewess in the US, may I remind everyone that... [MORE]

Wendy Weinbaum 

Feb 28, 2008 13:08

Excellent article Mr. Stossel. Thank you. I've reached the conclusion that people who support gun control either A) have a need... [MORE]

Michael 

Feb 28, 2008 01:18

I agree with John: "No one intent on murder will be stopped by the prospect of committing a lesser crime...

David Abramson 

Feb 27, 2008 17:15

David Abramson -- you are the wrong person to talk about stats. Your comments about "more likely to kill a... [MORE]

Jim S 

Feb 28, 2008 23:20

Mr. Abramson, while I realize that your comments are directed to Mr. Stossel, I would like to make a few... [MORE]

Ed Shell 

Feb 29, 2008 10:56

I very much appreciate the objective opinions advanced by Mr. Stossel in today's article, Thank you. It is quite refreshing... [MORE]

Ed Shell 

Feb 27, 2008 14:06

I am not sure how many gun related crimes occur per capita in the United States compared to other countries.... [MORE]

John House 

Feb 27, 2008 20:52

It's refreshing to see in print an Editorial that acknowledges that " Gun Control " is a pipe dream... [MORE]

John Meadows 

Feb 27, 2008 12:56

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