18 Dec 12, 04:13PM
If you'd asked me a year ago, I would have given you the hardline right-to-bear-arms speech, but by now I'm doubting myself, and just because of gradual change, not a kneejerk reaction to this shooting.
Here's my take on it: Sure, criminals tend to ignore laws. But, as a general rule, the greater a pain in the ass it is to do something, the fewer people will do it. Think of all the people who "would like" to learn a language, work for themselves, travel the world, be this or that -- but don't get past the fantasizing because it's too hard. Similarly, perhaps there are those in, for the example at hand, the UK who would go a-shootin' if the implements were suitable and readily available. Thing is they generally aren't, because in the UK you pretty much just have Uncle's duck hunting side-by-side that has to be kept locked away, as opposed to Pa's 1911 and tacticool AR-15 that he can leave lying around the house in America with loaded magazine, round chambered, and safety off for all anyone cares. So maybe what's happening here is just that laziness is truly pervasive, affecting even criminal ventures to discourage those who would have to put forth a sincere effort.
In other words: Most of the fuckers don't really want it, just like most of the fuckers who have dreams don't want them fulfilled badly enough, so if it's too awfully difficult for them to pull off they'll be content to seethe quietly and never do anything.
Here's my take on it: Sure, criminals tend to ignore laws. But, as a general rule, the greater a pain in the ass it is to do something, the fewer people will do it. Think of all the people who "would like" to learn a language, work for themselves, travel the world, be this or that -- but don't get past the fantasizing because it's too hard. Similarly, perhaps there are those in, for the example at hand, the UK who would go a-shootin' if the implements were suitable and readily available. Thing is they generally aren't, because in the UK you pretty much just have Uncle's duck hunting side-by-side that has to be kept locked away, as opposed to Pa's 1911 and tacticool AR-15 that he can leave lying around the house in America with loaded magazine, round chambered, and safety off for all anyone cares. So maybe what's happening here is just that laziness is truly pervasive, affecting even criminal ventures to discourage those who would have to put forth a sincere effort.
In other words: Most of the fuckers don't really want it, just like most of the fuckers who have dreams don't want them fulfilled badly enough, so if it's too awfully difficult for them to pull off they'll be content to seethe quietly and never do anything.