If a few bad eggs cause other recipients of welfare to take drug tests

[svpadgham]

then why don't the bad eggs that murdered all these people cause everyone who thinks they need a firearm to have to receive mental evaluations, drug tests, background checks, etc.?

[magellan]

1. The first answer they'll give you is that gun ownership is a consitutionally protected right

Welfare isn't.

Not agreeing, just been around these types too long not to anticipate the response.

[svpadgham]

2. You're right.

But, I don't think anyone getting welfare while stoned caused a bunch of people to die. I could be wrong in a six degrees sort of fashion.

[magellan]

3. My personal feeling is we've let the right steal the discussion from us

The NRA used to be a responsible organization which backed reasonable regulation of firearms. That changed when they grew a political lobbying arm...around the same time bloviating extremists like Limbaugh took to the airwaves. I don't think it's coincidence that gun sales - and school shootings - have increased since gun ownership became highly politicized by the right.

We need to start talking about why we permit political propaganda surrounding the 2nd amendment to continue. Too many people buy guns out of plain fear generated by the right or as a patriotic status symbol. Abusing one right (free speech) to promote another is clearly destructive. It has to stop.