this post was submitted on 17 Jun 2024
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Some days, those who would ~~command~~ ~~govern~~ represent us just make it too easy for, among other things, finding "post fodder."

In the shadow of Michael William Nash's demonstration of his 2^nd^ Amendment rights on Saturday, according to The News

Twelve Michigan House Republicans have sponsored a bill this month to the name the AR-15 "the official rifle of this state," drawing criticism from opponents who labeled the proposal unserious and inappropriate.

For those who don't know, the AR-15 is a semi-automatic rifle. Bear that in mind when reading the following.

State Rep. Brian BeGole, R-Antrim Township, a former Shiawassee County sheriff, was the primary backer of the AR-15 measure and said in a statement issued Tuesday that thousands of people in Michigan own an AR-15. […] “This distinction recognizes these law-abiding gun owners who are often vilified just for having a firearm as a hobbyist or to keep their homes and families safe," BeGole said.

That's some hobby. Keep their homes and families safe. Safe from the government BeGole has represented most of his life, according to the oft-debated 2^nd^ Amendment.

However, Ryan Bates, director of End Gun Violence Michigan, said BeGole's bill was about "worshiping the rifle that is the preferred weapon of mass shooters." […] Bates noted that on Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal ban on bump stocks, a rapid-fire gun accessory that was used in a mass shooting at a music festival Las Vegas in 2017.

"That shooter used 23 AR-style rifles modified with bump stocks to kill 58 people and injure nearly 500 in mere minutes," Bates said. "We now live in a world where any deranged person can turn an AR-style rifle into a machine gun capable of firing 400-800 rounds per minute, a level of firepower that quite simply overwhelms law enforcement."

We all know that rabbit and pheasant can get pretty mean. And who doesn't like their venison pre-ground? To quote my favorite philosopher and thinker, myself

It’s forever High Noon in this nation of cowboys.

Ah, almost forgot! Use it everyday!

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If you can't see the crazy person on the bus, it's you.
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[–] Olhonestjim 7 points 5 months ago (4 children)

I'm a gun owner. I have an AR-15. I don't want to hurt anybody, just to be able to defend my home against these very same lunatics. If anybody is going to get guns banned in the USA, it's gonna be these people doing it to themselves by their unsafe, insane, hateful practices endangering everybody else.

[–] Archelon 8 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Shout out to California’s gun laws only existing because of the Black Panthers.

[–] Olhonestjim 9 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

Well, only because Republicans, the NRA, and cops were terrified and absolutely beside themselves at the idea of black people arming themselves and organizing for community support and defense.

[–] BleatingZombie 5 points 5 months ago (2 children)

I'm also concerned why they want to pledge allegiance to a company (Armalite). Is Kansas going to have Coke as their state drink next?

[–] Olhonestjim 3 points 5 months ago

Wild, ain't it? They don't know how to like something without worshipping it.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago

Armalite may still make them, but it's a bit player in the market now. Since the AR-15 has a gov't spec attached to it, pretty much every company that makes firearms makes an AR-15, and they're all substantially identical.

[–] [email protected] -3 points 5 months ago (3 children)

I have some bad news for you.

An AR-15 is really only good for wartime scenarios (and mass-murder). If your goal is self defense, you have chosen a terrible gun that limits your mobility and cannot protect you at close range. A handgun is vastly superior for the purpose of self-defense.

Not that your choice of gun matters here. The choice to have a gun at all actually increases your risk of being victim of a violent crime, and that's just the odds for you. Having a gun in your house at all greatly increases the risk that you or someone in your home will die accidentally, or by suicide. Those odds are greater than those of any violent lunatic breaking into your home and murdering anyone in it.

If you want a gun because you expect to be at war with tyrants, more power to you. If your goal is to minimize the risk of harm to you and your family, unless you have some actual enemies you expect to have to deal with, you are better of without a gun in your home, or at least not one that is easy to access.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago

I have an AR-15. It's a perfectly fine rifle for hunting medium sized game at ranges of up to about 300y (which is a longer shot than you'll ever get in the woods). It's the preferred rifle for people that are trying to thin out coyote packs or sounders of feral pigs.

Fun fact, did you know that having a sink in your home increases the odds that someone in your home will die of drowning? Probably outta get rid of those.

[–] FireTower 3 points 5 months ago

The choice to have a gun at all actually increases your risk of being victim of a violent crime, and that's just the odds for you. Having a gun in your house at all greatly increases the risk that you or someone in your home will die accidentally, or by suicide. Those odds are greater than those of any violent lunatic breaking into your home and murdering anyone in it.

Aside from poking fun at the notion a violent home invasion is something to contrast with violent crime, there's a serious problem here. In the study of criminal justice (and many social sciences) it is nearly impossible in most cases to separate correlation and causation. This is due to the difficulties in setting control groups and the many possible factors that may influence these events.

A person cognisant that they are at increased risk of violent crime might feel inclined to acquire a firearm. This doesn't necessarily mean the purchase caused the victimization. That is like saying doing chemotherapy increases your risk of dying of cancer. And someone experiencing suicidal ideation might purchase a firearm to commit the act. Putting this notion once again on its head.

[–] Olhonestjim 2 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

Thank you for your assertions. It's always good to hear from an expert. You're right. It could never happen here. Everything is fine.