While talking to a conservative today.....

[maryland native]

We were discussing current events, mostly guns and immigration.

He said that since, in his opinion, the Federal Government was doing nothing to keep illegal immigrants out of the country, the states need to step up the enforcement of immigration policies.

I pointed out that immigration laws were in the Federal arena.

He didn't care, pointing out that the states would need to do what the Feds would not.

I asked him how he felt about the state and local governments also enforcing Federal laws concerning gun violence.

Crickets.

Why do I bang my head against the wall?

[Fumesucker]

1. Because it feels so good when you stop, of course

I thought everyone knew that..

Good point, and welcome to DU!

[mucifer]

2. You should tell him the boarders have been more secure under President Obama and deportation

is also much higher under President Obama than bush.

[elleng]

3. Because you're silly???

Welcome!

[patrice]

4. because talking with them is good, even if you don't see what you hope for, they heard the truth

from another live person.

It all adds up eventually.

That's a good thing.

[graham4anything]

5. Personally think there should be state border patrol to keep other states guns out of other states

Why should Illinois, New York, California have people get legal guns in other states, then bring them into those states.

After all, it is because of legal guns, that one can't get rid of illegal guns.

And anyone at all, under our laws, can purchase a gun legally in say Texas, and drive due north, obeying the speed limit, having all their lights working, and not doing anything suspicious
drive into Chicago with a trunkload of guns.

Same with driving north east to NYC.

There are no security checkpoints to stop that.

Where the hell do people think those guns come from?
They come from ALL the states that sell them.

Like d'uh. Get rid of the people that sell them in all the states, or keep any new gun from coming into a state that has laws against guns in the streets (or does NOT allow concealed)
and then you can start to alleviate the problem.

But it's the damn legal guns that stop the ability to do just that.

BTW, last time I drove cross-country there was a checkpoint before getting into California from Nevada, to stop any produce.
If they can check for produce, I would welcome gun checkpoints at the borders of states.

Makes Mr. Spock type logical sense.

[Still Sensible]

6. Yeah, that "while talking to a conservative

today" thing was your first mistake. Situational rationalization is their specialty--contradictions be damned.

[aptal]

7. There are actually immigration laws they can enforce:

Just so long as the local laws are not preempted by federal ones.