|
|
Post by vandergraafk on Sept 12, 2008 22:14:42 GMT -5
Why not? If you believe, as I do, that the careless possession of hand guns that often get stolen in residential burglaries contributes to the sad carnage of everyday life, then why shouldn't gunowners bear some of the cost that the poor behavior of some imposes on all the rest of us? It's what we've done with smokers and alcoholics and would do with drug addicts if we could stop criminalizing the use of drugs.
|
|
|
|
Post by whitelightertony on Sept 14, 2008 1:38:52 GMT -5
I don't necessarily agree with the cigarette tax either. Is there even a special tax specifically for alcohol?
And I don't feel that taxing addicts (if drugs were decriminalized) would be a constructive way to confront the problem.
If we taxed gun ownership registration, where would it end? What would stop the government from taxing those with driver's licenses? Or those who own cell phones? Or adult movie rentals, or contraceptives...
|
|
pubesy
Witch
"If I could dream at all, it would be about you. And I'm not ashamed of it." - Edward Cullen
Posts: 1,171
|
Post by pubesy on Sept 14, 2008 1:57:19 GMT -5
considering the tremendous burden guns, cigarettes, alcohol, and illicit drugs place on the healthcare system, not to mention the special services (police, fire, ambulance), then why not place taxes on such unnecessary items.
dont get me wrong, i love a good drink now and then, and i am not one who needs the cops called on me every time i go out for a good time.
these taxes should then be used to help pay for the services needed.
|
|
|
|
Post by whitelightertony on Sept 18, 2008 2:06:23 GMT -5
So does that mean we should tax fast food, because it makes people obese? Or should we tax vehicles that emit exhaust fumes, since people may get lung cancer from breathing them in?
|
|
|
|
Post by jate88 on Sept 18, 2008 21:48:56 GMT -5
|
|
ljones
Whitelighter
Posts: 4,123
|
Post by ljones on Sept 18, 2008 23:26:24 GMT -5
Even if governments would be able to regulate guns or make the possession of one illegal, human beings would either find a way to get hold of one, or find another way to kill someone. It's not the weapons that are the true killers, but the aggressive nature and will of humans.
|
|
pubesy
Witch
"If I could dream at all, it would be about you. And I'm not ashamed of it." - Edward Cullen
Posts: 1,171
|
Post by pubesy on Sept 19, 2008 6:48:40 GMT -5
sure, i agree with you completely there, ljones.
but regulation and strict licensing of guns and other weapons would make it more difficult for the "common" (ie not drug lords, mafia etc) person to obtain a gun at the spur of the moment in order to kill someone. I am not saying it would prevent it completely. there are many other weapons beside guns!
it would also help to prevent "accidental killings" where the young child finds the gun poorly secured in the family home. or domestic violence gets a bit too heated. the neighbor is injured because the home owner is scarred someone is trespassing. those type killing.
i just think that the idea of anyone being able to own a gun, without proper training, or background check, or mental health check is a very dangerous thing!
|
|
ljones
Whitelighter
Posts: 4,123
|
Post by ljones on Sept 19, 2008 12:33:36 GMT -5
I rather doubt it. In fact, if the government does engage in such regulations, I suspect that the drug lords could get involved in a new trade - namely the guns or weapon smuggling.
|
|
pubesy
Witch
"If I could dream at all, it would be about you. And I'm not ashamed of it." - Edward Cullen
Posts: 1,171
|
Post by pubesy on Sept 19, 2008 18:16:23 GMT -5
but doesn't that happen anyway? while there is no licensing?
regulations and strict licensing would not make it impossible to own a gun, rather, it requires people to be apart of an association or registered club that teaches and enforces responsible gun use. and requires a background check and a clearance from a doctor.
this is the law here in australia. and check out our rates of death caused by gunfire compared to the USA! or to the state of California or NY alone!
it DOES work!
|
|
|
|
Post by whitelightertony on Sept 21, 2008 0:00:11 GMT -5
I agree with you on those points.
I just don't see why it would be necessary to impose an additional tax on gunowners. The cost of everything these days is already too high, as it is.
|
|
|
|
Post by Devine on Oct 13, 2008 2:55:59 GMT -5
Did anybody notice in one of the credits... one of the actual people that helped run the charmed show ... his last name was Belthazor ... teehee
|
|
