NRA is too radical

[quadalpha]

I like how the Constitution is some kind of sacred text, the Final Stopping-Place of the Buck, the Document of Last Appeal. Where are the studies on whether the right to bear arms is empirically good or bad?

[a completely inoffensive name]

I like how the Constitution is some kind of sacred text, the Final Stopping-Place of the Buck, the Document of Last Appeal. Where are the studies on whether the right to bear arms is empirically good or bad?

Far right people who bring up the Constitution do treat it almost on the level of a holy text, which is silly. However, part of the point of this country is to be adhering to the rule of law where no man is above justice (like a king). Therefore, the highest law does demand the highest authority and respect when it comes to the issues it discusses.

[PershsNhpios]

Nothing is empirically good or bad, nothing as emotionally complicated as the wish to defend oneself and the wish to wield power can be so simply categorised. The concept of good and evil is an aesthetic but flawed philosophy and they are both in reality encompassed and replaced by humanity.

[quadalpha]

Nothing is empirically good or bad, nothing as emotionally complicated as the wish to defend oneself and the wish to wield power can be so simply categorised. The concept of good and evil is an aesthetic but flawed philosophy and they are both in reality encompassed and replaced by humanity.

I should have put it this way: is it more dangerous to live in a country where people can legally own firearms or not?

What are the statistics on firearms uses in self-defence compared to firearms used aggressively? Until that is established, this talk about needing them for self-defence is just hand-waving.

I believe the point about "living document" applies on the level of shaping the debate on such issues. A large part of the current public debate seems largely focused on reconstructing the intent of the writers; the supporters of gun rights tend to say "we need gun rights because the founding father meant this and this." I think it's not a great generalisation to say we all agree that "guns are needed for citizens to be able to overthrow the government" is less realistic today than when the document was written.