Re: GUNS)

k-hat@juno.com
Sun, 6 Jun 1999 23:15:15 -0500

Joe Dees wrote:

>This seems like a reasonable (though collapsed) definition of the
>debate. I would direct this question to the pro-gun-availability-to-
>kids/certifiably-insane/violent-criminal camp: If we cannot be
>trusted to logically, rationally and reasonably decide who is unfit to
>possess the means to committ long-range mass murder, how can
>we be trusted with guns? I think most of us not only can be
>trusted with guns, but we can also be trusted with fairly and
>equitably deciding who the few are who can not be so trusted.

Joe, thanks for the interesting question.

In response, firstly,
I think that this is blurring one very important distinction. Seems to me that there is a difference between making a decision about what to do and making a decision about what someone else should have the option to do.

Is the argument you propose above significantly different from the following?

If we cannot be trusted to logically, rationally and reasonably decide who is unfit to speak publicly, how can we be trusted with free speech?

Secondly,
I think there is another distinction that is not being addressed.

You say that the question is:

If we cannot be trusted to logically, rationally and reasonably decide

^^^^
who is unfit to possess the means to committ long-range mass murder, how can we be trusted with guns?

^^^^
Rather, I think the question ought to be:

If some external agency cannot be trusted to logically, rationally and   
   ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

reasonably decide who is unfit to possess the means to committ long-range mass murder, how can
an individual be trusted with guns?  
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


Seems to me an entirely different question, even not noticing my prior objection.

Thirdly,

Assorted objections about difficulties of getting agreement between people, differences in opinions between expert and public opinion, and growth of power in organizations.

--Kyle



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