So, why are guns necessary?

[Lemur]

This isnt let's make a deal.

For you and the NRA: clearly. You can't make deals with "enemies" who must be "destroyed."

For the vast majority of Americans, however, making deals is kinda how this democracy thing works.

All of our inalienable rights have boundaries and limitations. All of 'em.

The fact that the panic sisters at the NRA see no limit to a single right speaks more to their monomania than any principled position.

Tell us again how it's great that the background checks bill was defeated. I never get tired of hearing about that.

[Vuk]

The fact that the panic sisters at the NRA

Isn't that a very sexist expression?
That is how democracy works? By 'making deals'? By which you of course mean not getting what you want, but instead settling for lessening the damage to your position. You know, it is a darned good thing that when republicans pushed through emancipation and voting rights laws they were absolutists and did not compromise. If they were Lemurian they would have been like: "Ok, let's make a deal. We will give blacks the right to vote, but they will not be allowed to own property. Sound fair?"

Some times giving a little is not in order. Some times you need to take a hard line on a position. Basic human rights is one of those things. Basic human rights like the right to be able to defend yourself (a key part of which is the right to bear arms). You don't compromise on stuff like that, or you end up like Russia or France.

[Montmorency]

Basic human rights is one of those things. Basic human rights like the right to be able to defend yourself (a key part of which is the right to bear arms).

Ridiculous.

[Lemur]

Irepublicans pushed through emancipation and voting rights laws

I had no idea Republicans were solely (or primarily) responsible for the voting rights act of 1965.

I learn new and counter-factual things every day!

[Husar]

You don't compromise on stuff like that, or you end up like Russia or France.

France sounds okay to me, time to compromise?

Russia is more complicated but how is it comparable to France?

Don't forget that people move from France to Russia because Russia is better.

There are quite a few other countries available for comparison:
Germany
Poland
Botswana
Japan
Belgium
Netherlands
Kazakhstan (very secure cars apparently)
China
Norway