60 Minutes: The Way of the Gun

Interesting point is the "gun show loophole" - even in Virginia, after the Virginia Tech massacre, this loophole was not closed. So "registration" laws are simply public relation stunts. It is a good thing these wide eyed idealists (the college kids at the 8 minute mark) see the reality of who makes the laws in America. Better to lose hope early in life that peasants could over power lobby groups, than to believe otherwise into their 30s+.

As a side note for what it's worth at least Diane Feinstein admits reality.

I did enjoy that quite frightful man who insists a gun in every person's hand would deter violence in America. Clearly that policy has been working like a charm thus far! (not a political statement but a fact) :)

Via 60 Minutes

The recession is having an effect in another surprising way: in past downturns, people stocked up on things like canned soups. But this time, it's guns.

One reason, he says, people are willing to dole out the cash during this financial meltdown - is the financial meltdown. "We're being told all the time that, 'Oh, boy. The economy could just collapse. And we could fall into chaos.' Well, chaos is a good reason to be able to protect yourself," Van Cleave said.

"It's a form of insurance policy," Van Cleave said. "You could imagine if we truly had a collapse of the economy and it was hard to find food, those that did manage to hang onto food might find themselves in a precarious position."

But the bigger reason for this gun rush is best summed up by one gun show commercial: "Buy! Sell! Trade up and cash in! Celebrate the Second Amendment and get your guns while you still can!" "While you still can" is code for "Barack Obama wants to take your guns away and re-impose the ban on assault weapons.

The number of FBI background checks does not reflect all the gun sales, because of something called "the loophole." In Virginia and more than 30 other states, people who aren't gun dealers can sell firearms at gun shows without conducting background checks. Actually, these private sellers can peddle their guns anywhere: at shows, in their private homes, or out of their cars.


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Earlier Stories

1. [Apr 9: Some Link Economy with Spate of Killings]
2. [Apr 6: Bookkeeping - Starting Position in Smith & Wesson]