Graph: the public is getting smarter about guns

[Perd Hapley]

http://reason.com/blog/2014/11/12/a-record-high-percentage-in-us-say-guns

http://www.gallup.com/poll/179213/six-americans-say-guns-homes-safer.aspx

[T.O.M.]

My BIL is about as liberal Dem as they come, and he floored me recently by saying he thinks people sould be able to get a revolver  and a shotgun to keep at home for protection, and indicated he would like me to help him find a revolver when I visit at Christmas.

Seems to me like more people are viewing firearms as we have preached for years...they are tools.  Nothing more, nothing less.  And damn useful when you need one.

[wmenorr67]

My BIL is about as liberal Dem as they come, and he floored me recently by saying he thinks people sould be able to get a revolver  and a shotgun to keep at home for protection, and indicated he would like me to help him find a revolver when I visit at Christmas.

Seems to me like more people are viewing firearms as we have preached for years...they are tools.  Nothing more, nothing less.  And damn useful when you need one.

Hope you insisted on him also getting the training.

[T.O.M.]

Hope you insisted on him also getting the training.

Only way I'll help him with the purchase.   

[MechAg94]

Well, at least it is a start.  Once he believes that for a little while, the shrill ramblings of the radical gun control people will ring false even more.

On the OP:
I think the gun control people have gotten more and more radical over the last 20 years even as crime statistics continue to prove them wrong.  Back in the early 90's, the "common sense" gun control message made more sense to many people.  When the AWB pass and then went away with no real effect, it said a lot to anyone paying attention.  Current trends also continue to show that crime is worse in areas with heavy gun control and improving in areas without it. 

[Perd Hapley]

I think the gun control people have gotten more and more radical over the last 20 years even as crime statistics continue to prove them wrong.  Back in the early 90's, the "common sense" gun control message made more sense to many people. 

The gun controllers have gotten less radical, at least in what they openly attempt. They used to call for handgun bans, and now they just try to limit access through ammo taxes and expanded background checks for the handguns they have to let us own AND carry. They once achieved a national scary guns ban, and they know that's no longer feasible.

Current trends also continue to show that crime is worse in areas with heavy gun control and improving in areas without it. 

I thought it was improving pretty much everywhere - even Chicago.