Firearm design

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

Everyone knows what a firearm is.

Here's the definition of "Design":
1>> a plan or drawing produced to show the look and function or workings of a building, garment, or other object before it is built or made.
2>> purpose, planning, or intention that exists or is thought to exist behind an action, fact, or material object.

The pro-control folks who are stuck on the "designed to kill" idea are obviously applying meaning #1 of design. What everyone needs to accept is that meaning #2 applied to the assailants who do the killing (i.e. - planning, or intention that exists behind an action) is more meaningful than the construction of any inanimate object.

The idea that there is a "deadliness" inherent to the design of an object bears little on the experienced deadliness of any object actual employed as a weapon. Determination, planning, skill, strength, resources and preparation are more important in the act of killing than the design of an object.

Why is this so impossible to grasp?

[Nuclear Unicorn]

1. "Designed to kill" is a moral declaration.

If killing is immoral than anything designed towards that end would likewise be immoral.

But if deadly force can ever be employed morally, i.e. in defense of self or the law, then morality is no longer attached to the device but rather to the motives of those employing the device.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

2. It's often said, "The don't justify the means."

If the ends don't justify the means, what does?

[jonno99]

6. It depends on the "end" and it depends on the "means". A more accurate

way of stating it would be:

the ends don't always justify the means.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

8. True

I've usually heard that in relation to 'means' that people find objectionable.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

7. "If the ends don't justify the means, what does?"

Well, in fairness, it's also been said that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

Gun control, for instance.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

9. I'll be hacking my gps to remove anything labelled "good intentions"

Basic levels of gun laws are acceptable. Those that actually aim to control are usually bad and ineffective.

[Eleanors38]

3. And then there are "Zombie Knives." A type banned in the UK...

It has one conventional cutting edge, a serrated edge, and inscriptions which describe its purpose for killing. At least the Brits look for a formal declaration.

[JonathanRackham]

4. Another cosmetically impaired consumer product.

I wonder if the same politicians have ever used roofing hatchets, first responder rescue axes or Swiss Army knives?

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

5. I suppose an inscription qualifies as an aspect of design

[packman]

10. Think about this - two persons and both have

"Determination, planning, skill, strength, resources and preparation "

BUT - one has a gun, the other their bare hands or something that doesn't rip you apart several times at a distance .

That, to me, is what makes a gun and its construction something that needs controls.

[beevul]

12. Think about this.

"Determination, planning, skill, strength, resources and preparation "

Anyone with all those things is going to get a gun or something even more destructive no matter what you do about guns where the rest of us are concerned.

[benEzra]

13. Except that the gun control lobby's top priority is to ban the *least* misused guns.

Murder, by State and Type of Weapon, 2014 (FBI)

[font face="courier new"]Total murders...................... 11,961
Handguns............................ 5,562 (46.5%)
Firearms (type unknown)............. 2,052 (17.2%)
Clubs, rope, fire, etc.............. 1,610 (13.5%)
Knives and other cutting weapons.... 1,567 (13.1%)
Hands, fists, feet.................... 660 (5.5%)
Shotguns.............................. 262 (2.2%)
Rifles................................ 248 (2.1%) [/font]

Consider that the next time someone demands a ban on the most popular rifles in U.S. homes.

[jmg257]

11. Seems to be a lot of experience with guns being used for killing.

"The idea that there is a "deadliness" inherent to the design of an object bears little on the experienced deadliness of any object actual employed as a weapon"

If you've got "Determination..." and at least half a brain, its pretty much what you'll be looking to grab next. For the convenience, they are quite capable.


Anyway, the 2 in this case sort of go hand in hand.