Coach Shot Dead at Iowa School; Ex-Player Arrested

Lumina, before you misquote or objectify our founding father's intentions as it relates to the 2nd amendment please do your research. I would suggest you begin with the history of the rights of individuals to own and bear arms in the pre-revolutionary war colonies. Further, I would suggest your research be extended to associated laws and mandates in force in England in the 15th and 16th centuries and continuing into the present. Also, a current statistic from the California Department of Corrections (CA has the most strict state gun-laws in place) has provided that nearly 80% of violent felonies committed with the use of a firearm were committed by prior felons. These individuals were not only prohibited by CA law but also by federal law to purchase, own, possess or handle a firearm. This statistic is almost identical to those of the early 9Os in CA. I continually read and research the gun laws in other countries and the subsequent impact on violent crime. The research is simply inconclusive. In some lands correlations are implied; however in the majority the numbers are not much different. What is different is the punishment for violent crimes. Perhaps we should take a look at punishing criminals commiserate with the acts committed. Not punishment the masses for the acts of a minority. I would opine that a vast majority of modern day gun legislation, similar to that of the Brady Bill signed into law during the Clinton administration, does not protect innocent citizens. It simply provides fodder for our politicians to segment the voting populous and create imagined fear. The truth is sale, distribution and ownership of firearms is currently well controlled and has been since before the founding of our constitution. Before politicians ever had the opportunity to manipulate this volatile subject to cater to their own goals. Many times taking statistics and real life situations out of context to drive fear into their constituency. The media does nothing but perpetuate this reality. It is a shame. Tragedy sells and pundits continue to use these travesties as ammunition to advance their own political aspirations. The truth lost in the minutia. Reply