That explains a lot.

[trenchkamen]

The new allergy medication I started taking a few weeks ago is apparently meant to be taken before bed. I've been taking it in the morning. No wonder I've been so tired all the time lately.

My uncle (Dad's brother) drove Rachel's car back from San Antonio with Dad, so he was here last night. Yes, this is the same uncle I saw when I visited Granddad in Oklahoma City about a month ago, the one who thought I went to an agricultural college. When I got back from swimming he was sitting on the couch with his Mac Book. He asked me if I had ever heard of Ted Nugent. I said I had heard of the artist, if what was what he meant. He patted the couch beside him and cocked his head. Apparently Nugent is also a very outspoken ultra-conservative, and my uncle wanted to know if I had been following his political commentary. I hadn't. He asked me if I supported Nugent's position; I said "I'm a college student; do the math," and he sort of laughed.

Apparently Nugent is sort of a one-issue voter; he supports whoever opposes gun control ("My birth certificate is my concealed carry permit."). While I also do not agree with banning guns, the similarities in political leanings between me and my uncle stop right about there.

Point in example: the conversation came to him asking me whether or not I trusted politicians. I said no. He said "Well, you're about ten years ahead of the rest of your generation." Given the context of the preceding conversation I knew he was referring to Obama (who, according to him, has never had a real job), so I said "Well, I like some better than others, of course. Pretty much anybody is better than Bush."

He paused and said, "See, I liked Bush."

My response was, "Yeah, I'm not even touching that one."

I thought I was very calm about the whole thing--especially considering that for once I did not start it. I like my uncle just fine, even though we don't see eye-to-eye on most issues. He's caring family. But as people unfortunate enough to know me know, just because I like you doesn't mean I won't argue with you. It can be quite the opposite.

If gay marriage had come up, however, things might have turned rather heated.

I'm actually pleased with my studying progress. This is unusual. I do wish I would stop getting tension headaches so easily; it's counterproductive.

Oh, following on the eight-day meme: today, my sister and mom went out shopping while I was studying, and brought me back chocolate ice cream with chocolate fudge and chocolate chips from Cold Stone.

Comments

[ariseishirou.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty liberal and I have to wonder about gun control myself. As anyone who's watched Bowling for Columbine would know, Canada - with it's extremely tight gun regulations - actually has more guns per capita than the US. And yet, far less gun crime.

So I think it largely has to do with gun culture; almost all gun crime that does happen in Canada is with guns purchased from the US. Why? The guns in Canada are hunting rifles - there is no need for any individual to have any other type of weapon unless their safety demands it (read: police officer or armoured vehicle driver). You can defend your home from the king of England with a rifle better than you can a handgun.

And no one needs a concealed weapon. Ever. If you have a permit to carry a gun and you intend to use it for protection or hunting or any other lawful purpose, you do not need to hide it. Nor does anyone ever need an automatic weapon for a lawful purpose. Also, convicted criminals forfeit their rights to plenty of other things - there's no reason they shouldn't forfeit their right to a weapon.

So, a rifle in the home for hunting/defense (carefully locked away from children) is the norm in Canada, and if it were the norm in the US as well, that would probably be the perfect compromise.

Um...

[jecook]

Let me disclam this by stating that this is based on the US regulations for mentioned states- these regulations and laws available from the ATF's 28th Edition of State laws and published ordinances, with additional assistance from Handgunlaws.us. A certain additional bias is also present- I hold a Concealed Carry permit for the state of Arizona and a Curios and Relics Federal Firearms License.

And no one needs a concealed weapon. Ever.
Concealed carry is useful for social situations where you do not necessarily want to openly carry, but yet you want to have a firearm on you. Certain states (Notably Texas) require concealed carry permit holders to carry concealed at all times.

If you have a permit to carry a gun and you intend to use it for protection or hunting or any other lawful purpose, you do not need to hide it.
Most states allow open carry without a permit; Generally, the only states that require a permit to own a handgun have other non-firearm friendly laws on the books (California, Illinois, New York are notable examples) Some states require concealed permit holders to carry concealed at all times.

Nor does anyone ever need an automatic weapon for a lawful purpose.
Please clarify what you define as an "Automatic" weapon. I define automatic weapons as machine guns, which fire multiple rounds with a single trigger pull. Semi-automatic firearms fire one round per trigger pull, and are generally preferred over revolvers and other styles of firearms for magazine capacity and speed of reloading. Semi-auto rifles are becoming more popular in the US for both competitive target shooting and for hunting. (The AR-15 is a handy anti-coyote weapon out here in Arizona, and can take deer pretty decently as well.) Fully automatic firearms are heavily, heavily regulated in the US, and in the places where once *can* legally own one, it requires jumping through a lot of legal hoops and paying a lot of money just for the permits and taxes- that does not include the additional thousands of dollars for the firearm itself. (If I had a spare 100 grand kicking around, I'd *love* to get an authentic vintage Tommy gun.)

Also, convicted criminals forfeit their rights to plenty of other things - there's no reason they shouldn't forfeit their right to a weapon.
Yep- convicted felons are disallowed from owning firearms in all 50 states and under federal laws.

Re: Um...

[ariseishirou.livejournal.com]

Useful in social situations =/= necessary. While I'm sure you're a level-headed, responsible gun owner, you must admit that many people are not and the same laws apply to all.

By automatic weapon I did mean machine guns, and not semi-automatic hunting rifles, yes. And you're right: as a locked-down antique or piece of curiousity one could use a machine gun, but one should never have the need to carry one.

Thanks for clarifying the US laws on the matter, though. Also a very useful website!

Re: Um...

[jecook]

Glad to be of assistance. I realize that the US firearms laws are *not* easy to read, and the fact that there are 50 states worth of laws as well. :)

Re: Um...

[ariseishirou.livejournal.com]

I'm not against firearms - I would be extremely annoyed if the Canadian government ever went the way of the Japanese - just that their use should be restricted. Waiting period, mandatory training, etc.

I mean, at least as much as one is required to get behind the wheel of a ton of steel and move it over 100 km/h. If that's reasonable for a car, why not a gun, too? I know there's all kinds of Constitutional issues in the US, though.

Re: Um...

[kitschaster.livejournal.com]

I completely agree with all of the above. *ahem* I'm sorry, but if somebody wants to carry a gun around me (which many do out here in Georgia) I'd rather them conceal the weapon. It throws me off to see it.


As for not needing handguns for lawful purposes, I believe they are defense weapons. Not something you whip out at the drop of the hat. From what I have seen, they're a last ditch effort whens somebody actually intends to cause harm, or somebody else harm. Funny story, a guy walked into a McDonalds in Florida sometime last year, pulled out a gun, and aimed it at the cashier. A bystander pulled out his gun, and shot the man dead.

I'd rather the perp was shot dead than the cashier, personally. *shrugs* Then again, I am a cashier.

Re: Um...

[jecook]

It always throws me for a small loop when I see people openly carrying in grocery stores here.

And it is a last-ditch item- the one thing that was heavily stressed in my concealed carry permit class was that you must exhaust every other option before making the decision to brandish a firearm.

[theonlynonny.livejournal.com]

I hate when relatives are like that. I can't discuss polotics with my family, my dad is fine, but the rest of his fam is like hard core republican fat cats.

[xcerebraledemax.livejournal.com]

Good job Lauren! It's almost always better to avoid those types of arguments with family; they always seem to take offense rather than agreeing a debate.

ON A DIFFERENT TOPIC, LET'S HANG OUT AT THE END OF THE MONTH!