Poll: Do you support gun control?

[Aniihya]

This is a simple poll about gun control. Personally I support only limited gun control aka mental health checks, secure storage and registration (under circumstances), whereas I support open carry and the right to own semi-automatic weapons. Also my political position is left-libertarian. Ideally I am an anarcho-mutualist or a left-wing market anarchist (that means I support a free market that promotes fair labor, coops and mutual aid networks).

[Absenthia]

While I'm conservative religiously, politically I find myself with more and more distaste for the left or the right. Despite this, I do believe that something needs to give however, even if it's just pushing for more in depth background checks.

I don't feel, even from the public health standpoint that completely banning is the necessary solution. We still have people living in areas of the US who use guns like AR-15s as part of pest control (Texas has a huge feral hog problem and very little will take the beasts out).

Then you also have to think about the fact that there are places where 911 is between 15-30 minutes away. We joke around here that we don't call 911, but the reality is 911 is some time away and a lot can happen between the call and their arrival that isn't good. If you look at places like Chicago were guns are banned in the city, the murder rate has skyrocketed.

So, I'm a little unsure, because of things such as the Dickey Amendment that have prevented further research by entities like the Centers for Disease Control. The epidemiological data associated with mental health and guns is sparse at best.

[rubytuesday]

In New Zealand, we don't really use the terms 'left' and 'right' especially often, but according to the 'belief-o-matic' website Aniihya made a discussion for a while ago, my beliefs match closest with secular humanism, and my political compass tells me that I'm something of an anarcho-socialist. I'm not sure if either of those are especially relevant, but I figured I'd mention them just in case. :)

But yes, I am undoubtedly pro gun control.

[bombinate]

@RubyTuesday, in terms of our (NZ's) political parties, National is right-centre, Labour is left-centre, the Greens are left, ACT (Ew David Seymour) is right-wing. I'd actually argue that we do use 'left' and 'right' often enough, it's just that our politics aren't quite as polarising as the States.

In any case, I'm left leaning and definitely support gun control. From the view point of someone from a country with good gun control laws, I can assure you that I don't feel as if my rights have been restricted.

[猫ババ]

X
XX
XX
XX
X

that moment when you are a dumbass and select the wrong answer. so sorry ruby, ;-; guess I made your poll inaccurate by one vote. i consider myself as a democratic-socialist and DO support gun control. glad that people can openly talk about politics here without going crazy hostile. it's a nice change for sure. i really believe we all need to just listen to each other a little more. how do we expect things to work when we won't find a happy medium for everyone, or at the very least respect each other. also i must say ruby, i very much appreciate scrolling past your profile as sherlock's face always greets me handsomely. thank you. ^^

[rubytuesday]

@Bombinate; oh, a fellow NZer! Hello! :D But yeah, I perhaps worded myself poorly. I was sort of meaning that I don't hear 'left' and 'right' being so strongly defined in NZ politics and media as I do in US politics and media, but then again, I think you are quite right in that it is likely purely do to the fact that are politics are not nearly so polarising. I am definitely more left though (hardcore greenie, over here)

@猫ババ; no need to apologise, it's not my poll, and I hardly think it's a big deal anyways, I'm sure Aniihya won't be too bothered. And thank you, I'm glad you like it, haha! (Since I don't watch Sherlock all that often anymore, I frequently feel tempted to change it, but I always back out at the last moment, haha)

[Aniihya]

Left and right are generally the definitions of fiscal and social welfare policy. Left wing tends to support a regulated market and social welfare while the right supports an unrestricted market (in my view a predatory market) and opposes social security and benefits for the disadvantaged because they believe the poor and the handicapped are a drain on tax money.

Also I changed the poll to allow answer changes.

[猫ババ]

X
XX
XX
XX
X

okay, this is why i should not be responding to forums at three in the morning. i'm clearly far too delusional. let me correct my previous statement, i am sorry aniihya. thanks for allowing the changes, i have since changed my answer to accurately represent my views. the statement about ruby's profile pic still stands though... and i would like to thank you aniihya for posting this interesting poll! ^^