Biden: Public Sentiment Has Turned on Guns

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Vice President Joe Biden argued on Thursday that public opinion had turned against the gun rights lobby. "I say it's unacceptable not to take this on. ... I believe the price to be paid politically is for those who refuse to act," Biden told a conference on gun violence held 10 miles from the site of the Connecticut elementary school massacre. Citing the courage of the Newtown families, Biden said, "It's not too much to ask the political establishment ... to show some courage also."

Posted by rcade at 07:39 AM | 44 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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rcade

Joined 2003/04/04
Visited 2013/05/20

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Might help if some of the more fervent gun right supporters stopped saying nonsensical stuff in public.

#1 | Posted by REDIAL at 2013-02-24 07:54 AM | Reply | Flag:

#1 | POSTED BY REDIAL

Like pointing out the 2nd amendment and wondering why mental health is not front end center in the discuss. Oh wait what discussion? We're gonna get the guns!

#2 | Posted by paneocon at 2013-02-24 07:59 AM | Reply | Flag:

No, like comparing guns to cars, forks and abortion.

Or referring to them as tools with bits of plastic on them.

Or screaming ban !! every time someone is killed by something else.

Or all the "¡Viva la Revolución!" fight off govenment oppression nonsense.

#3 | Posted by REDIAL at 2013-02-24 08:08 AM | Reply | Flag:

"Like pointing out the 2nd amendment"

Or poorly interpreting the term "well-regulated milita."

#4 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2013-02-24 08:22 AM | Reply | Flag:

Doc, as always, rights go to the people not a militia.

#5 | Posted by rearendhat at 2013-02-24 08:34 AM | Reply | Flag:

Reasonable people with reasonable minds disagree on interpretation. It wasn't until the 21st century, for example, that SCOTUS ruled the Second Amendment guarantees such a right for individuals. And, as we all know, SCOTUS interpretations are subject to review and reinterpretation.

#6 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2013-02-24 08:41 AM | Reply | Flag:

I know this has been rehashed a million times, but I still do not see how "the right of the people" can be interpreted any other way.

#7 | Posted by rearendhat at 2013-02-24 08:48 AM | Reply | Flag:

I understand (I think) and, like you, am not inclined to rehash it here again - it's been DR litigated and relitigated a gazillion times - but, respectfully, we disagree on interpretation.

#8 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2013-02-24 08:54 AM | Reply | Flag:

"this has been rehashed a million times, "

This is the Retort. It would die without guns, god and gays.

#9 | Posted by nullifidian at 2013-02-24 08:59 AM | Reply | Flag:

Well put!

#10 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2013-02-24 09:01 AM | Reply | Flag:

This is the Retort. It would die without guns, god and gays.
#9 | Posted by nullifidian

And Reptoids, don't forget the Reptoids.
~ Jiggy N Jutland

#11 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2013-02-24 09:01 AM | Reply | Flag:

Reasonable people with reasonable minds disagree on interpretation. It wasn't until the 21st century, for example, that SCOTUS ruled the Second Amendment guarantees such a right for individuals. And, as we all know, SCOTUS interpretations are subject to review and reinterpretation.

#6 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis

reasonable people?
sigh, thanks doc, that's a very nice narrative...

so, why do you supposed that the louder and more frequently that you Libs proclaim your narrative,
the emptier the gun store shelves get?

and;
more women arm themselves,
more Sr Citizens arm themselves,
more citizens concealed carry daily,
NRA membership grows,
crime goes DOWN,
"Depends" diaper sales soars in blue states

have all-y'all ever pondered on "unintended consequences"?

if you need time to acquire more absurd talking points, suppose that be OK

#12 | Posted by roadrunner22 at 2013-02-24 09:18 AM | Reply | Flag:

You're clearly not able to enter into a non-screed discussion on the subject Rearendhat and I touched upon. If, at some point, you've done some preparation you might find someone on the DR who's interested in doing the old back-and-forth with you. It doubtless won't be me, because I've done so repeatedly and have yet to see any new information or take on existing information that bridges the gap separating the opinions held by people occupying either end of the yes/no continuum on this subject.

#13 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2013-02-24 09:26 AM | Reply | Flag:

#3 | Posted by REDIAL

You STILL have the wrong number! Try to redial again.

#14 | Posted by jestgettinalong at 2013-02-24 09:33 AM | Reply | Flag:

Or all the "¡Viva la Revolución!" fight off govenment oppression nonsense.
#3 | Posted by REDIAL

As the Road Warrior fantasists circle their Klown Kars, they remind me of the chorus of Napoleon XIV's "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!"

And they're coming to take me away ha haaa
They're coming to take me away ho ho hee hee ha haaa
To the happy home with trees and flowers and chirping birds
And basket weavers who sit and smile and twiddle their thumbs and toes
And they're coming to take me away ha haaa

#15 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2013-02-24 09:42 AM | Reply | Flag:

"As the Road Warrior fantasists circle their Klown Kars,..."

I think they may be circlin' 'em in NYC, Doc. Looks like Bloomberg has taking away the cake as well as the bread. He's "government," right? He thinks he's the king up there and can limit whatever he wants.

All government is suspect, Doc, not just the feds, although I know how much you're in the tank for "progressive" government and especially THIS administration in D.C., but these guys are goin' nuts.

#16 | Posted by jestgettinalong at 2013-02-24 10:02 AM | Reply | Flag:

"All government is suspect...not just the feds..."

With that, I agree.

See, even you can be right some of the time!

;>)

#17 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2013-02-24 10:07 AM | Reply | Flag:

Unfortunately, as is the case with most issues in "modern" times, ones knowledge is conjectural rather than empirical and all too often the result of a media driven script.
Much is made of the word militia will disregarding the common understanding of the term at the time of the original 2cd Amendment debates: "all able-bodied males considered by law eligible for military service"
The term "assault weapon" & the infamous "Assault Weapons Ban" are perfect examples of the media driven frenzy of incorrect usage of technical terms. Assault weapons are military select fire or machine guns, not semi-automatic sporting arms. People have been led to believe that because a rifle is cosmetically similar to military arms they are so dangerous they must be banned or controlled. This is despite the fact these arms are rarely used in any crimes. True assault weapons can be owned by civilians, but they are highly restricted, taxed, regulated, licensed, registered and can only be weapons manufactured after 1986.
The vaunted ASB did not, as is widely believed, ban assault weapons, it simply banned cosmetic features.
The discussion of high capacity magazines (not clips, they are two different items & "magazine clips" do not exist) is a distinction without a difference.
The concern of gun rights supporters regarding bans is that what is really being discussed is not the banning of assault weapons, but the banning of semi-automatic sporting arms, a type of firearm which has been in widespread use for well over a century & is the most widely type of firearm owned.
Personally I am more concerned over the militarization of the local & state police forces who are being equipped with military grade fully automatic machine guns & munitions then I am about the man or women down the street with an AR clone used for target or varmint shooting.

After a shooting spree, they always want to take the guns away from the people who didn't do it. I sure as hell wouldn't want to live in a society where the only people allowed guns are the police and the military.
William S. Burroughs

#18 | Posted by kingcuke at 2013-02-24 10:58 AM | Reply | Flag:

Biden: "just walk out on the balcony here, walk out, put [up] that double barreled shotgun and fire two blasts outside the house."

Yep, this is a guy I would listen to even if it is illegal.

#19 | Posted by KBM at 2013-02-24 11:44 AM | Reply | Flag:

I worry more about where the guns are turning, not public sentiment.

#20 | Posted by Diablo at 2013-02-24 12:33 PM | Reply | Flag:

Might help if some of the more fervent gun right supporters stopped saying nonsensical stuff in public.

There are some idiots who've said some really dumb stuff, ie the "we need more guns in X" knee jerk response.

But equally problematic to a solution is the fervent anti-gun folks, of whom there are more IMO, who not only say ignorant things that make anyone knowledgeable laugh but also refuse to learn anything about the topic or even try to understand the other side.

Since the 2nd amendment is a right they don't partake in, they could give two s---s about impinging on it and have no interest in respecting its existence and use by their fellow citizens.

#21 | Posted by jpw at 2013-02-24 01:10 PM | Reply | Flag:

"But equally problematic to a solution is the fervent anti-gun folks..."

Yep. No doubt about that. Too many people just drowning in their own talking points and not paying attention to the larger issues.

#22 | Posted by REDIAL at 2013-02-24 01:24 PM | Reply | Flag:

Or poorly interpreting the term "well-regulated milita."

And yet all too often it seems those squawking about the term "militia" think the interpretation poor because it doesn't support their pre-concieved conclusion as opposed to using the 2nd amendment to guide their conclusion.

#23 | Posted by jpw at 2013-02-24 01:28 PM | Reply | Flag:

That would extend all the way around and through the arguments, of course.

#24 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2013-02-24 01:33 PM | Reply | Flag:

"After a shooting spree, they always want to take the guns away from the people who didn't do it."

The thing I find absolutely perplexing about my little "progressive" buddies is that there is no logic to the laws and regulations they want to pass. I had to laugh at an article the other day that a Bank of America branch bank had a "No Guns Allowed" sign on the door. No [...]? I guess they thought they were now safe from any armed robberies. It boggles the mind that they think they can decrease crime by taking guns away from people who DON'T commit crimes while leaving the criminal types armed. How can they possibly think these types are gonna run down and register their guns if they just pass a registration law? DUHHHH

#25 | Posted by jestgettinalong at 2013-02-24 01:36 PM | Reply | Flag:

. As George Mason, co-author of the second amendment, said during Virginia's Convention to Ratify the Constitution: "I ask, Sir, what is the Militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
This meaning was codified in:
Title 10 USC, Chapter 13, Section 311
(a)The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard.
(b)The classes of the militia are --
(1)the organized militia, which consists of the National Guard and the Naval Militia; and
(2)the unorganized militia, which consists of the members of the militia who are not members of the National Guard or the Naval Militia.

#26 | Posted by gluon at 2013-02-24 01:50 PM | Reply | Flag:

Might help if some of the more fervent gun right supporters stopped saying nonsensical stuff in public.

They'll probably stop when your sides stops doing the same.

#27 | Posted by Axiom at 2013-02-24 02:04 PM | Reply | Flag:

That would extend all the way around and through the arguments, of course.

So you're saying everyone is arguing a pre-conceived conclusion vs a conclusion reached through assessing the information one has obtained?

#28 | Posted by jpw at 2013-02-24 02:08 PM | Reply | Flag:

#18 | Posted by kingcuke

Why are you saying such nonsensical stuff?

#29 | Posted by jpw at 2013-02-24 02:09 PM | Reply | Flag:

Require all new and old gun sales to have a background check
Require all new guns and used guns upon resale to be registered
Allow victims to sue the last owner when these rules are broken
Allow special permits for banned weapons.
Restrict normal sale of magazines to 10 rounds but allow larger with special permit.
Require households with a member going through depression or other mental problem to have guns securely locked up until a qualified health perfesional clears them of any danger.
State in the law that every citizen has a right to own and use guns for legal purposes.
Make the punishment harsh for gun crimes, lets start having less pot heads in prison and more people that do crimes that harm society.

#30 | Posted by THomewood at 2013-02-24 02:41 PM | Reply | Flag:

"10 miles from the site of the Connecticut elementary school massacre."

So who is using the innocent children who were killed for political gain? This is been done how many times from this administration, so much hypercritical bs out of them is not even funny.

#31 | Posted by zack991 at 2013-02-24 05:13 PM | Reply | Flag:

If public sentiment has "turned" on guns, why are the sales to first time buyers at an all time high?

#32 | Posted by soheifox at 2013-02-24 05:28 PM | Reply | Flag:

WRONG! Its turned on Biden as most realize he's a treasonous bastard working directly against the constitution he SWORE to uphold.

He belongs in Guantanamo prison with Obama!

#33 | Posted by reitze at 2013-02-24 09:08 PM | Reply | Flag:

The militia is not the army because the Constitution also bans a standing army.

Biden is incorrect the country is not turning against guns he is out of steep with the American people if he thinks that.

The guns he keeps talking about and trying to fool people into thinking they are machine guns are not machine guns they are standard hunting riffles with different stocks on them,. This entire argument is insane They are unable to prove they are different the just say they are.

They also make the claim the only use is in war but no army uses them because they are not automatic no Army would ever want to use them because the are civilian guns not military guns.

The democrats know this but the continue to tell lies so they gen get more gun bans they dont care about the children they want ti use dead children to get more guns banned.

#34 | Posted by tmaster at 2013-02-24 09:17 PM | Reply | Flag:

Right on TM. Seems we're gonna get genocided next. How long do ya think we have till its obvious? Vaccines? GMOs? Aspertame in milk? NCLB? Sequestration? Rather amazing how it's going down just like all the predictions from the Mayans, Hopi, Nostradamus... clear to the Bible.

It sure must be profitiable creating 911 and other false flag events with the business case ready set... blow.

#35 | Posted by reitze at 2013-02-24 09:33 PM | Reply | Flag:

"The democrats know this but the continue to tell lies so they gen get more gun bans they dont care about the children they want ti use dead children to get more guns banned."

This is political posturing intended to placate the rigid statists and Europhiles within the party. They know full well what support of an extensive gun ban would be. The 1994 weapons ban devastated the party. And since they also know than any new laws are little more than cosmetic, they are not going to press to test on the issue. You'll see stricter laws regarding background checks, requiring ID to by ammunition. Things like that.

I don't think Biden even thinks what he says is true.

#36 | Posted by madbomber at 2013-02-24 10:20 PM | Reply | Flag:

Of course he doesn't think what he says is true. That's why he "gaffs". Did anyone think that was a misstake? Well that miss is a stake, eat well drink the coolaid and ...!

#37 | Posted by reitze at 2013-02-24 10:35 PM | Reply | Flag:

If a lib like Biden has uttered it you just know it must not be true.

#38 | Posted by MSgt at 2013-02-24 11:43 PM | Reply | Flag:

Citing the courage of the Newtown families, Biden said, "It's not too much to ask the political establishment ... to show some courage also."

Banning certain combinations of plastic addons to guns will make America appear safer and Biden appear full of courage.

To the truly courageous, like Biden, appearances are all that matter.

#39 | Posted by LIVE_OR_DIE at 2013-02-25 02:36 AM | Reply | Flag:

I believe the price to be paid politically is for those who refuse to act

POS VP

#40 | Posted by Greatamerican at 2013-02-25 03:01 AM | Reply | Flag:

#39 | Posted by LIVE_OR_DIE

NW.

#41 | Posted by jpw at 2013-02-25 03:18 AM | Reply | Flag:

.... The New & Improved "We-Own-You-Ocracy"!

**** Its no surprise that the Fascist Cabal at the White House now Dictates exactly what the American Public's sentiment is!

#42 | Posted by AntiCadillac at 2013-02-25 04:12 AM | Reply | Flag:

Looks like he has watched Obama lying and getting away with it so he's following suit.

#43 | Posted by upyours7 at 2013-02-25 10:04 PM | Reply | Flag:

Require a mental test for anyone who belongs to any religious organization! Would be a good place to start.

#44 | Posted by truthteller101 at 2013-02-26 12:27 AM | Reply | Flag: