The Debate.

[SnowyCheetah]

This topic is tetering on the edge of the pit of drama. I hope it doesn't fall in D:

also... I agree. Alcohol is bad when abused, and drugs are just bad period.

[Azdgari]

Let's be done with alcohol and drugs. =]

Back to guns--there are statistics that say privately owned guns are something like three times as likely to be stolen than used for self defense.

[Panda-chan]

Tbh, I used to think that banning guns was stupid and a violation of the second amendment... but now I kinda think the opposite. I mean, less guns = less deaths, right? Giving everyone guns is like handing out drugs to minors but telling them only to use them in emergencies. What do you think is going to happen? It'll also be easier for criminals and stuff to be in possession of firearms, which is pretty freaking scary.
Luckily for you guys I don't feel strongly on this topic, and simply reading Simba's post has made me doubt myself lol. So my answer is: I don't know.

[SnowyCheetah]

Any criminal who needs a gun will get one whether it's legal or not. That being said, I find it extremely necessary that the average citizen be allowed to have their own gun for self-defense. Taking away somebody's right to own a gun is pretty low, if you ask me.

[thanigraphics]

Woah, nice thread. I've been reading fast, but the legalize weed sounds nice. Let's come all to my lovely country Holland, my friends!

[SnowyCheetah]

Woah, nice thread. I've been reading fast, but the legalize weed sounds nice. Let's come all to my lovely country Holland, my friends!

There's a reason weed is illegal in the US lol.

[simbafan]

Posession of firearms is pretty much prohibited here in the UK, but all you have to do is take a trip to the rougher parts of London to see how readily available they are, and how many people get away with obtaining and owning them. The result is, irresponsible, feral little gang bastards have easy access to lethal firearms, while ordinary people who actually try to obey the law (with little reward these days, I might add) not only get their collar felt for posessing anything that even LOOKS like a weapon, but theyre also in increased danger from criminals who have access to such firearms. So, in my eyes, banning guns is a bad idea, I see it as giving law-abiding citizens a means to defend themselves. Criminals will ALWAYS be able to get their hands on guns, regardless of the law, so why not give the law-abiding citizen a fighting chance of defending themselves?

I'd also like to add that in the UK defending yourself using lethal force (that means killing your attacker) is classed as murder. So basically, if you kill someone, no matter the situation, no matter who you were trying to defend, you will be prosecuted on the grounds of murder, and almost certainly sentenced accordingly.

What a wonderful system, eh?

[SnowyCheetah]

Criminals will ALWAYS be able to get their hands on guns, regardless of the law, so why not give the law-abiding citizen a fighting chance of defending themselves?

My sentiments exactly.

[FlipMode]

What I find peculiar is that the age to buy a gun in the UK (or England at least) is younger than that to buy a pack of cigarettes.
As for weed:it's illegal, and I don't think it should be /topic

In an effort to bring this topic to a more legal standpoint.. Violent videogames will influence kids to be violent / imitate what they have been playing in their childhood, when they are older (say 16+).. agree or disagree?

[Simba]

I disagree on the video games (really hope I don't end up being the disagree person on everything XD). I've played violent video games, watched violent movies since age 2, and I've had no will to act it out and am a very peaceful person generally. yes, some kids will try to imitate video games and even cartoons (I've been there with Spiderman and got my first nose bleed). but it's up to the parents to explain what's right and wrong, and chastise them when they do wrong. the video games by themselves don't make kids more violence prone, sucky parenting does. if you don't give your kids enough attention, don't correct them or try to explain anything, and then give them access to all the games and shows that promote violent behavior then they will likely become violent at some point. I've seen this from my little cousin who was always dumped at day care and stuff without his mom to spend time advising him on such. needless to say, the kid's nearly done me in with a hurtling car part, an arrow, baseball bat, and a few other things (I talked him out of the hatchet luckily before someone really got hurt). but his other cousin only a year or so older (who joined me on that day avoiding such objects) had also spent much time watching the same shows and playing the same video games. his mother told him what was right and wrong about the games, chastised him when/if necessary with spankings and time-outs, and he turned out entirely different. yeah he gets himself in trouble more than I do, but it's the usual kid things not violence.

now onto the weed thing which I find especially funny since yesterday, 4/20, was National Pot Day. and so far this argument reminds me of our debates in English class in 9th grade, which went down in flames after it got to the point of dooby room XD. not to encourage anyone, but you won't necessarily get suspended or kicked out of school if you smoke weed. about half of the kids at my school do (I know quite a number of previous graduates too), including several of my close friends. but we all know the health problems it has and whatnot, so just don't do it. I do however, think the medicinal use of weed for like cancer patients should be allowed. it eases their pain and promotes eating with its munchies, as you usually find severe cancer patients losing appetite and dwindling down in weight. and then that's when it was brought up in our classroom debate that other people in the household, including children, could be exposed to second-hand smoke from it. and that's when we lost our argument with suggesting a room be set aside for the person to toke it up without affecting other residents, which our teacher found hilariously ridiculous and called it the dooby room. I guess that's why in most states it's illegal here (but there are those that medicinal use is legal if you qualify and get a license for it). but really, it's probably equal with alcohol and cigarettes with health problems. I'm not condoning its use, I'm just really unsure of where I stand on this one really.

just remember kiddies, it's best not to do any drugs at all, unless you seriously need medication and it's prescribed to you for that purpose by a doctor. and even then, don't abuse it and take as directed by the doctor.