Andrew McAfee

I suspect a similar argument was made ‘round 1860, that government overreach was overriding personal freedom, and the conclusion made that sedition was not only just or necessary, but supported by our founding documents.

The fact that those mechanisms even exist provide the prescribed recourse for citizens to affect change in their government, rather than armed conflict against it. So why are so many these days arming themselves AGAINST the government rather than in service to it?

Okay, I see where we’re coming from now. Allow me to adjust. Now—yes, I agree that background checks, penalizing offenders and closing loopholes are sensible policy. But I also agree with others that such a ban is necessary for the public good.

Very much so. And I think we’re both trying to be sensible about it. But to the point you made, regarding “scary guns”, a handgun can be intimidating, but I suspect we’re referring to something else? And to the point on that, WHY are these weapons so frightening?