Sanity

Hayes,

"That means that deaths from a hammer, are an unintended side effect..."

As in Prozac?

I don't think that the individual who went to the store to purchase a hammer specifically to murder someone, planned on building a house next day as a project of its original use.

"The thing you can't seem to wrap your mind around Mike is that hammers actually serve a vital purpose in our society Mike."

I wonder if the victim cautioned the assailant before he/she was bludgeoned to death about the proper use of a hammer.

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Hi Mike,

Hope Christmas was nice...

Just a note to your shot gun posts...

Someone, somewhere did a study with some prison inmates asking them to identify the sound of several weapons being engaged. The shot gun stood out as easily recognized, more than any other gun. I might add that the inmates serving time for violent crimes, feared a shot gun more often than not.

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When someone wants to kill the greatest number of people in a short time which do you use, a hammer, a pistol or an assault rifle?

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JerryfromRI-"@mikekerstetter Is it true that the only way to stop a bad guy with a hammer is with a good guy with a hammer?"

Well, no, there are quite a few things that might stop a hammer. But what is also true is that killed with a hammer is being just as dead as being killed with an 'assault' rifle or any other weapon, for that matter.Handguns are by far the most used weapon weapon to commit murder, followed by knives, personal weapons (hands, fists, feet, etc), hammers, shotguns and then you finally get to rifles. But let's not let facts get in the way of a good anti- 'assault' rifle argument.

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@mikekerstetter

Does the National Hammer Association, the NHA, advocate posting guards armed with hammers at the sites of past hammer attacks?

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@mikekerstetter

Is it true that the only way to stop a bad guy with a hammer is with a good guy with a hammer?

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Shotguns have also outpaced the rifle, of which the 'assault' rifle is a part, in how many were used for murder. Another inconvenient fact for those who want to ban 'assault' rifles.

2005 522

2006 490

2007 457

2008 442

2009 418

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CMReeder-"Mike is being disingenuous in that he narrowed firearms to rifles and then compares that to hammers. He is using 2011 statistics. It will more than likely be different for 2012."

How so, Chuck? "Assault Rifles" are what you want to ban. So why wouldn't I use 'rifles' as the correct statistic?

2005 hammers 608 rifles 445

2006 hammers 618 rifles 438

2007 hammers 647 rifles 453

2008 hammers 603 rifles 380

2009 hammers 611 rifles 348

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The nut jobs have stood on the soap box long enough.

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"Got news for you Reeder, you better run and hide. I have a concealed carry permit and I happen to cherish my guns. I am afraid if the dictator tries to take all the weapons away from this country, he will be biting off more than he can chew"

Better hope the FBI doesn't scan this site. You will be investigated for threats. Have a nice day!

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Mike is being disingenuous in that he narrowed firearms to rifles and then compares that to hammers. He is using 2011 statistics. It will more than likely be different for 2012.

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Remind us again Mike, are you in favor of the death penalty? Why? So your telling us that if someone kills, and you don't think they are necessary to the function of society, they should be killed? But assault rifles and high capacity magazines...

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"Chris, How many deer will your gun kill if left in the woods all by itself?"

Mike, how many people will a hand grenade kill if nobody pulls the pin? Does that mean you think everyone should be able to buy one? Because that is EXACTLY your line of reasoning.

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"Hammers are weapons, they are used to kill."

The thing you can't seem to wrap your mind around Mike is that hammers actually serve a vital purpose in our society Mike. The intended use of a hammer is to build. The intended use of a military style assault rifle is to destroy. That means that deaths from a hammer, are an unintended side effect of something that's NECESSARY for the functioning of society.

Remind us again how military style assault rifles are necessary for the operation of our society?

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CMReeder-"Guns are weapons, they are used to kill. Just because you did not today doesn't mean you won't tomorrow."

according to FBI statistics, 323 murders were committed by rifles in 2011. During the same year, 496 murders were committed by a hammer. Hammers are weapons, they are used to kill. Just because you didn't today doesn't mean you won't tomorrow. So will you be a Lowe's today protesting the uncontrolled sale of hammers? It's a whole lot easier to buy a hammer than a gun. You don't even need a background check.

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CHayes-"If guns don't kill Weigle, then go hunting with only a knife."

Chris, How many deer will your gun kill if left in the woods all by itself? *

*Disclaimer- For those who don't recognize it, this is a parable used to demonstrate that a gun cannot kill by itself and must have human interaction to do so. I am in no way advocating leaving a loaded weapon laying around somewhere.

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@Darlin

"If there is a civil war..."

Civil War? Really?

What has gone so far of course what you a ready to send your sons and daughters off to die for it.

What say you.

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Regarding the value of having guns, which is separate from any Constitutional debates. By the time it gets to the point that we are defending ourselves from each other or our federal government in a civil war, as one poster mentioned, it is very likely that some foreign power will have come in and filled the vacuum created by that civil war. And that foreign power will not be deterred by armed citizens. Quite frankly, if I was a foreign power I would do everything in my power to foster the efforts in our country to enhance states' rights and the rights of individuals and reduce the influence of the federal government. That will weaken us from within and make it even easier for some power like China, perhaps Russia to have their influence rise.

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" I happen to cherish my guns"

I mean that is really sad. I cherish a lot in my life, like my family, my dogs and maybe my 97 RAV4L or my 96 Corolla DX wagon, But not guns. Geez.... And if by chance there is a civil war I am pretty sure your guns will do little good. But hey keep thinking that way if you like.

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What a beautiful example of right wing hysteria. This is NOT a discussion about banning all firearms, or even restricting carry permits. It's a discussion about where the line should be drawn that strikes an acceptable balance between public safety, and people's desire to own guns.

That is of course unless you think that the Constitution guarantees citizens the right to carry whatever weapons they want. You know, hand greanades, shoulder fired missiles, rocket launchers and the like.

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Got news for you Reeder, you better run and hide. I have a concealed carry permit and I happen to cherish my guns. I am afraid if the dictator tries to take all the weapons away from this country, he will be biting off more than he can chew. I don't think people will just lay down their guns and go crawl under a rock like you might think. If there is a civil war, I would rather be holding a gun than tanding there with my head between my legs like you will be.

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wwhickok,

I am curious do you think there is a right frame of mind in using a gun?

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"Reeder you are a scary person. You could be one of those people that could kill "tomorrow" using a gun. Another left wing hypocrite. Go away please!!"

You go away, you are far scarier if you think you will never ever have to use your gun.

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"Hayes and Reeder: The both of you sound like broken records. I'll bet family get togethers are a real hoot."

They are on my Mom's side they have their guns and pot and moonshine. Nothing like KY hill folk. Get to eat squirrel, rabbit, venison and other critters along with grits, greens and fresh grown veggies.

My Dad's family was all about fishing and water activities and cooking out in the outdoors. They also hunted.

So yeah growing up family reunions were a hoot.

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"It’s a fact that more people are killed with blunt instruments than guns."

For heavens sake...blunt instruments don't kill people! People kill people.

Maybe we should ban blunt instruments.

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