Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

discntnt_irny_srcsm

(18,577 posts)
Thu Aug 25, 2016, 03:04 PM Aug 2016

Is the cart in front of the horse?

"Suppose a family of guns were designed NOT to kill."
....

No, because no matter the stated reason for buying a gun,

the purpose of a gun is to kill.


I infer here that the message is that it is less evil(?) to buy an item, with murder as a reason for the purchase, than it is to design an item which has that act as its intended use.



7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Is the cart in front of the horse? (Original Post) discntnt_irny_srcsm Aug 2016 OP
First, the message makes little sense, if one is familiar with guns. jmg257 Aug 2016 #1
Context: discntnt_irny_srcsm Aug 2016 #4
Wow - I am just impressed they got a thread there to go on for more then 4 susbsequent posts. jmg257 Aug 2016 #7
Cart before the horse? The horse is here -- the carting is rolling down hill on its own. Nuclear Unicorn Aug 2016 #2
thanks for the elegant response discntnt_irny_srcsm Aug 2016 #5
My guns are designed to save lives... ileus Aug 2016 #3
There are those who ascribe the act of homicide... discntnt_irny_srcsm Aug 2016 #6

jmg257

(11,996 posts)
1. First, the message makes little sense, if one is familiar with guns.
Thu Aug 25, 2016, 04:09 PM
Aug 2016

Now guns usually all get classified as "deadly weapons", compared to say "dangerous instruments", so legally they may have a point when one is actually used.

Yet there are numerous guns whose purpose is clearly not to kill. And though capable, some in fact would be a comparatively poor choice for that.


As for your "evil" comment, hard to know without context, such as "Suppose a family of guns..."...compared to what?

jmg257

(11,996 posts)
7. Wow - I am just impressed they got a thread there to go on for more then 4 susbsequent posts.
Thu Aug 25, 2016, 06:18 PM
Aug 2016

Of course most agreed that yes indeed - in general guns were designed to kill.


I think the message is: if you are a gun owner, and you simply accept that generally guns are designed to kill (no matter how you use yours), that all is good. And if you choose to promote some sort of carry, you should double-dog accept that as fact.

I am ok with that.





Nuclear Unicorn

(19,497 posts)
2. Cart before the horse? The horse is here -- the carting is rolling down hill on its own.
Thu Aug 25, 2016, 05:11 PM
Aug 2016

Let's assume the respondent's point: All guns are designed to kill.

The question then becomes: Is killing ever justified?

If the answer is, "Yes" then the respondent is stating that civilians should never be allowed to do that which is justified.

If the answer is, "No" then the respondent is stating civilians should be subjected to a state that possesses a monopoly on wielding that which is never justified.

discntnt_irny_srcsm

(18,577 posts)
6. There are those who ascribe the act of homicide...
Thu Aug 25, 2016, 05:27 PM
Aug 2016

...as criminal unless sanctioned by the state or a designated actor or agent thereof.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Gun Control & RKBA»Is the cart in front of t...