We've reached tipping point on gun control

[SecularMotion]

(CNN)For every great social issue there is a moment when we look back and say "that's when things really started to change." For the epidemic of gun violence in America that moment is now.

For years, watching massacre after massacre, we've asked ourselves "what's it going to take to get something done?" "How many more children have to die in a school shooting?" "How many more places, from malls to movie theaters to churches, have to be turned into graphic testimony to a 'new normal'?" "How many more people do we have to bury than the 89 who are killed with bullets in our nation every day?"

Turns out we have been asking ourselves the wrong questions. No single incident, no matter how horrible, and no statistic, no matter how shocking, is going to change things by itself. What is going to change things -- what always does -- is when the American public comes together, based on common goals and common values, to say "enough!" And that is exactly what is happening, finally, on the gun violence issue.

We certainly still have a long way to go, and a lot of hard work to do, but there is no doubt that change is in the air.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/21/opinions/gross-gun-control-tipping-point/

[EdwardBernays]

1. very much wishful thinking n/t

[jonno99]

2. Violent crime - gun crime even - has seen a steady decline, decade over decade.

Want to solve "gun crime"? First solve the problem of gang warfare (scrap the "war on drugs"?).

Second, get a handle on why the mentally ill have access to guns (this group of folks is responsible for most of the mass shootings).

Third, rethink "gun free zones". The whole idea of a gun free zone is ludicrous (as only the law abiding - the good guys - will follow the rules) and to my knowledge there is no tangible evidence that these "zones" eliminate or even reduce gun violence. To the contrary, those intent on doing others harm often choose these "zones" as they know they will be unopposed by their intended victims.

My two cents...

[ileus]

3. That's why we have to stand and fight...give them an inch and they'll take it all.

now it not the time to go soft on the 2A, it's up to us to fight the progressive fight...ask yourself after they topple the 2A what right is next in their sights?

[sarisataka]

4. Well I'm convinced

Kim Kardashian West made a passionate, unsolicited appeal for background checks to her more than 35 million Twitter followers

...the tipping point is here

More like Mr. Gross is trying to keep the Brady Campaign relevant in the face of Bloomberg saturating the market with mini-control groups.

[jonno99]

5. "35 million Twitter followers" - wow. To paraphrase King Theoden:

"what can we do against such a mass of reckless ignorance?"

[Nuclear Unicorn]

9. "...the tipping point is here"

To be fair, she does seem a bit top-heavy.

[sarisataka]

11. She could stabilize

The front With a counterweight in the rear

[shadowrider]

6. So

"And that is exactly what is happening, finally, on the gun violence issue."

So you'll be leading huge marches in Chicago, Baltimore, New Orleans and Detroit to address gun violence? Wait, nevermind.

[DonP]

7. I've lost track, is this the 8th or 9th "Tipping Point" in the last year or so?

When can we expect the first of the huge protest marches for more gun control, the ones with more than a dozen of so people in them?

When will those petitions for the 2nd amendment repeal process be circulated? Lots of interest from the control minded folks, not much/any action in the real world. Lots of words, a few editorials, no deeds.

Have the gun control people started figuring out a "Succession Strategy" for what they'll do when Bloomberg loses interest, finds a new shiny object and stops paying all the bills?

[shadowrider]

8. It's the tipping point du jour n/t

[beevul]

10. I think they have it on a switch...

[branford]

12. We've reached past the tipping point, just not the direction the OP wants.

Support for gun rights and against restrictions is steadily increasing, violent crime rates have almost been cut in half over the last 20 years, firearm laws have liberalized across most of the nation, and even the Supreme Court has affirmed an individual right to keep and bear arms (consistent with our own Democratic Platform).

http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2015/oct/02/mass-shootings-have-no-impact-on-support-for-gun-rights-in-the-us

http://www.gallup.com/poll/179213/six-americans-say-guns-homes-safer.aspx

http://www.gallup.com/poll/179045/less-half-americans-support-stricter-gun-laws.aspx

http://www.people-press.org/2014/12/10/growing-public-support-for-gun-rights/


Firearms. We recognize that the individual right to bear arms is an important part of the American tradition, and we will preserve Americans' Second Amendment right to own and use firearms. We believe that the right to own firearms is subject to reasonable regulation. We understand the terrible consequences of gun violence; it serves as a reminder that life is fragile, and our time here is limited and precious. We believe in an honest, open national conversation about firearms. We can focus on effective enforcement of existing laws, especially strengthening our background check system, and we can work together to enact commonsense improvements—like reinstating the assault weapons ban and closing the gun show loophole—so that guns do not fall into the hands of those irresponsible, law-breaking few.


https://www.democrats.org/party-platform

[OakCliffDem]

13. Tipping point? I think not.

Now the high water mark for gun control was the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 which contained the Federal Assault Weapons Ban. Since then it has pretty much been down hill for the banners with shall issue concealed carry laws in the many states leading the way.