So, what, you want heroin to be a regulated medical drug? You can't exactly walk into the corner drug store and pick up a batch of morphine, you know, and there are similar reasons for that.

I believe guns are the same way.

Whether it be drugs, guns, knives, etc... it all comes down to the person who is in posession of these items on whether or not it will be used for bad things and not just a product of the items being available to everyone. Getting rid of them will not solve the big time issues because if those with bad motive want them, they will get them.

There are also a lot more good eggs out there then there are bad eggs and those good ones should have the right to protect themselves. Banning them would leave the invaded home owner with no option but a kitchen knife while that intruder recieved a gun through the many black market avenues out there available to them.

No.  I want it, and other perscription drugs to be regulated regular drugs.  They really aren't any different then other drugs,  the quality of life of users would greatly increase and a lot of money would be taken out of the pockets of criminals and gangs.

The point was, it isn't as dangerous as you think... and actually less dangerous then a lot of medicinal drugs that are legal for use.

The reason it isn't legal is because it's cheap.

Marijuana is an odd drug ...

While the reasoning behind it being banned are questionable when you consider the legality of Alcohol and Tobacco, it would never pass the FDA's rules today; primarily because several legitimate studies have shown a significant increase in mental illness associated to long term use of Marijuana. This isn't an argument about whether it should be legal or illegal, but its legality is partially based on a regulatory system that was not in place for Alcohol or tobacco.

As for Marijuana being natural, the plant itself is natural but grown naturally it doesn't produce enough THC for someone to get high. The process for creating drugs from Marijuana are roughly as unnatural as industrial Tobacco production, which is completely unnatural. If you came accross a wild patch of Marijuana, since there would be no unfertilized female plants that had grown for long enough to produce significant quantities of THC in their buds, you could smoke an entire plant and (besides suffering smoke inhalation) you would see no significant effects.

Probably explains why I cut down (2) plants I had a few years back and the high was very minimal. Brought it with me on a trip to the Poconos after drying it out and breaking it down.

You learn something every day. I always thought I might have plucked it too early. Haven't grown since.  

Never heard anything about mental illness though being linked. Have yet to see that effect happen on anyone and I know plenty of people who smoke.

Only time they experience what other would deem as "Mental Illness" is just them being stupid because they are stoned.

It's probably just like those studies that say your child will grow up smarter if you smoke pot during pregnancy. Also heard it has natural anti-tumor properties as well.

Sucks that the FDA would probably not pass it, even though the things that are allowed are linked to liver disease, heart disease, lung disease and various forms of cancers, along with making people violent. Pot makes you happy, and you'll still be happy without those brain cells, lol.

Yeah the ban of Alcohol was another such thing.

1) Whether or not  citizens should be able to own nuclear warheads is neither here, nor there. Within the next couple of decades, the average citizen will have the ability to possess weapons of mass destruction (though, probably chemical or biological.... a nuclear bomb would only be possible if a nefarious state actor decides to put the bombs in the hands of private citizens)... and there is absolutely nothing Government can do about it.

Government can't ban or enforce anything. Anybody can aquire just about anything they want - drugs, guns, prostitution, abortion, with or without Government approval. Trust me, I could get any of those things with ease, and at low cost, in just about any Western country. And so could you.

2) Well, that depends on the property owner. If the owner of the cinema didn't want guns on their property, then they can enforce those bans through whatever means they so choose, same with the church.

3) "Equipped" implies that the guns should be provided... that would be down to the airline company, if they wished to have that as a company policy. Unless you want Government provision, which is theft.

4) I'll let you have that one. I'll keep that arrow in my back.

there seems to be so much mis-information, speculation and over-all bias on this issue that I thought I'd just make mention of a few points concerning gun laws.

Some people seem to think that you can just walk into any gun shop in the US and if you have the green, walk out with auto-matic weapons.  Although many of the states do differ in how the laws are carried out, most states do have sufficient laws that prevent people that shouldn't have them from acquiring them.  That said, gun laws can differ from county to county, but most are more strict then less.

Yes, I myself do have a legal pistol permit.  In my county, you need to be of specific age and show proof of a legal purchase/downpayment of a pistol and fill out a several page application in which you need 4 people to sign and vouch for you.  Those 4 people also need to fill out a character reference sheet and vouch for your character, frame of mind and ability...and send it in to the country sheriff's office and then at that point are able to interviewed if need be.  You need to make an appointment with the sheriff's office when all forms are received to turn in your application, proof of purchase/downpayment and certificate of passing an official pistol permit course...as well as a letter to the court judge explaning your request and reasoning for said permit.  In the letter to the judge you also need to specify how you will be securing the firearm once you own it (ie. biometric gun vault etc.).  All paperwork is to be notorized by a licensed notary as well.  At that point (in my county) it is about a 6 month wait for your personal interview by the court judge.  He/she is the deciding factor after reviewing your history, references and the interview.  If you are granted a permit, you get a form to turn into the dealer and retreive your firearm.  In some counties there are several days in between before you can pick it up.  Upon picking it up you fill out additional paperwork and a background check call is made.   This is for a restricted concealed carry permit.  Further training and applications are necessary but do not guarantee getting unrestricted.  Surrounding counties near me can require different and /or more difficult requirements.

Now, you don't go through all that for semi-automatic shotgun or rifle but there are background checks made at point of purchase.

My point here, is that the laws in place are intended to and are sufficient in weeding out undesireables from acquiring firearms that they shouldn't have.  People that have legal pistol permits are for the most part, very responsible law abiding citizens that keep their arms secured and themselves pose no threat to another human being.  Likewise, criminals do not carry legal permits or registered firearms...they are criminals remember.  They are already not supposed to be carrying firearms and do anyway illegally.  Stands to reason that banning all guns doesn't stop those individuals from having firearms and committing heinous crimes, because they don't get firearms legally...so they will always have them.

just a little food for thought.