New York Times puts gun control editorial on Page 1

[Jonathan Fairfield]

New York Times puts gun control editorial on Page 1

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Times is using space on its front page to call for greater gun regulation in the wake recent deadly mass shootings.

Publisher Arthur Sulzberger Jr. says the newspaper is running its first Page 1 editorial since 1920 on Saturday to "deliver a strong and visible statement of frustration and anguish about our country's inability to come to terms with the scourge of guns."

The Times says the editorial suggests drastically reducing the number of firearms and even "eliminating some large categories of weapons and ammunition."

The editorial comes after three people were fatally shot at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, Colorado, last week and 14 people were killed and 21 injured in a shooting Wednesday at a social services center in San Bernardino, California.

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-12-05

[Seastallion]

Momentous occasion, and not before time.

I trust it will be well written and invoke some serious soul-searching amongst the gun-nuts.

[jpinx]

Momentous occasion, and not before time.

I trust it will be well written and invoke some serious soul-searching amongst the gun-nuts.

Does a person who carries around the means to kill others actually have a soul?

[Seastallion]

Momentous occasion, and not before time.

I trust it will be well written and invoke some serious soul-searching amongst the gun-nuts.

Does a person who carries around the means to kill others actually have a soul?

Don't confuse "soul" with "brain"

[oneday]

Bravo for the New York Times. We need much more of this.

[elgordo38]

Starting January 1st next year Gun TV is being beamed directly into your home. It will be a home shopping network for guns. Their motto "Big or small we stock them all" Just sit in your easy chair and reach for the phone. It will be as simple as ordering a pizza with the work and yes we have the works ammo, holsters etc. I wonder if they will give frequent buyer points.

[NickJ]

Hold on tight to your loved ones....scammer and be careful not to to squeal to loud....hide as best you can...the exits are blocked so stay put....hopefully there is a gun nut thats going to be shot first..... but I doubt it.

[up2u2]

Any Congressman or woman who even hints at restricting profits from weapons sales will have the NRA put a bullseye target on them. That will be the end of their political career. The American public will start chanting NRA pro gun slogans and the second amendment for many decades to come. America is no longer run 'by the people for the people' it is run by Corporate America for Corporate America. Guns are a $15 billion a year industry and it isn't going anywhere soon. Mass shootings are good for gun sales the last thing the NRA wants is any legislation that stops them. One mass shooting a day is good for profit margins.

[Tywais]

End the Gun Epidemic in America

​It is a moral outrage and national disgrace that civilians can legally purchase weapons designed to kill people with brutal speed and efficiency.
By THE EDITORIAL BOARD DEC. 4, 2015

All decent people feel sorrow and righteous fury about the latest slaughter of innocents, in California. Law enforcement and intelligence agencies are searching for motivations, including the vital question of how the murderers might have been connected to international terrorism. That is right and proper.

But motives do not matter to the dead in California, nor did they in Colorado, Oregon, South Carolina, Virginia, Connecticut and far too many other places. The attention and anger of Americans should also be directed at the elected leaders whose job is to keep us safe but who place a higher premium on the money and political power of an industry dedicated to profiting from the unfettered spread of ever more powerful firearms.

Full story here - nytimes.com

[dabhand]

Was watching Sean Hannity on Fox the other day - sorry, won't happen again!!

He was 'interviewing' an anti-gun guy and also had Laura Ingraham to ensure they were 'fair and balanced'.

Hannity would ask the AGG a loaded question, give him about 5 seconds to start his response then talk (shout) over him. This happened about 3/4 times and the AGG kept his calm and eventually broke into a grin as he just knew this was going to happen!!

He finished the segment by giving a slam dunk question to LI, allowed her to respond without interruption then gave her a 'great point' close out comment.

Faux News at its' best.

[eggers]

Notice neither Democrat Clinton nor Republican Trump, Presidential candidates have made any strong statements about Gun Control or lack thereof!!

Good luck trying to bring about change...just won't happen; America is a Corporate Democracy!!

[stevenl]

Notice neither Democrat Clinton nor Republican Trump, Presidential candidates have made any strong statements about Gun Control or lack thereof!!

Good luck trying to bring about change...just won't happen; America is a Corporate Democracy!!

Maybe look better, http://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/04/politics/hillary-clinton-guns-terror/. That is consistent with her stance for some time already (sounds strange to say that of HRC).

[connda]

The NYT is just an arm of the WH Press Secretary.

[JDGRUEN]

Any Congressman or woman who even hints at restricting profits from weapons sales will have the NRA put a bullseye target on them. That will be the end of their political career. The American public will start chanting NRA pro gun slogans and the second amendment for many decades to come. America is no longer run 'by the people for the people' it is run by Corporate America for Corporate America. Guns are a $15 billion a year industry and it isn't going anywhere soon. Mass shootings are good for gun sales the last thing the NRA wants is any legislation that stops them. One mass shooting a day is good for profit margins.

Such cynical wrong headed nonsense ... First the NRA is not the major player it used to be in fighting those who would try to take away our 2nd Amendment Rights. Several other groups collectively have just as much clout. And the REAL RESISTANCE to Gun Grabbers is the close to 100 Million American Citizens who will fight tooth and nail against those who would attempt to confiscate guns and take our Constitutional Rights. Also the NRA is not associated with making profits from gun manufacturers ... The NRA and several other large gun enthusiast groups - combined represent many millions of gun owners - not gun producers.... As a result - members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate listen very closely to the opinions of gun owners and those who defend the U.S. Constitution... America is a Representative Republic and voters decide who gets elected to REPRESENT their wishes ... And no sane member of Congress is going to go too far afield and fight the people they represent .... It is the voice of the people - not the voice of the NRA or other gun groups that have the clout to keep Gun Control under wraps...

Your silly misconception is what drives gun sales .. it is not mass shootings ... it is Hussain Obama who drives gun sales... IT HAS BEEN PROVEN ... Every time President Obama spouts off about Gun Control -- Gun sales skyrocket - a graph can be plotting depicting Obama's speeches about Gun Control and Gun Sales ... Americans are not going to allow the government to confiscate guns ...

It may come as a surprise to you but Gun Ownership Rights are not related to sporting use, hunting or target practice ...and even self protection is not the primary motivation to own guns... The provision in the 2nd Amendment to Bear Arms is to protect the citizenry against a ROGUE GOVERNMENT ... which is what we have today in America... The unrelenting drive of President Obama to confiscate guns is to have free reign to dominate and subdue the American population. And Obama's seething anger at this issue is that he cannot find a way to take away guns and make the American population defenseless against his plans....

Before a rogue government could possibly confiscate the guns from nearly 100 Million Americans who own nearly 300 Millions guns - it would take an occupying army of at least 10 to 20 times bigger than the American Army is now - even counting the National Guard... therefore it is NOT going to happen.

So you see the NRA is not the bogey man out making millions from gun sales... The NRA and other large gun groups rake in tens of millions of dollars from American gun owners who are vowed and intent on NEVER EVER allowing anyone to take away the right to bear arms...

Obama is angry because he realizes the futility of a plan he once thought would be a knock dead cinch ...

[connda]

Any Congressman or woman who even hints at restricting profits from weapons sales will have the NRA put a bullseye target on them. That will be the end of their political career. The American public will start chanting NRA pro gun slogans and the second amendment for many decades to come. America is no longer run 'by the people for the people' it is run by Corporate America for Corporate America. Guns are a $15 billion a year industry and it isn't going anywhere soon. Mass shootings are good for gun sales the last thing the NRA wants is any legislation that stops them. One mass shooting a day is good for profit margins.

The NRA's lobby isn't that strong, but it is pretty effective.

[stevenl]

Any Congressman or woman who even hints at restricting profits from weapons sales will have the NRA put a bullseye target on them. That will be the end of their political career. The American public will start chanting NRA pro gun slogans and the second amendment for many decades to come. America is no longer run 'by the people for the people' it is run by Corporate America for Corporate America. Guns are a $15 billion a year industry and it isn't going anywhere soon. Mass shootings are good for gun sales the last thing the NRA wants is any legislation that stops them. One mass shooting a day is good for profit margins.

Such cynical wrong headed nonsense ... First the NRA is not the major player it used to be in fighting those who would try to take away our 2nd Amendment Rights. Several other groups collectively have just as much clout. And the REAL RESISTANCE to Gun Grabbers is the close to 100 Million American Citizens who will fight tooth and nail against those who would attempt to confiscate guns and take our Constitutional Rights. Also the NRA is not associated with making profits from gun manufacturers ... The NRA and several other large gun enthusiast groups - combined represent many millions of gun owners - not gun producers.... As a result - members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate listen very closely to the opinions of gun owners and those who defend the U.S. Constitution... America is a Representative Republic and voters decide who gets elected to REPRESENT their wishes ... And no sane member of Congress is going to go too far afield and fight the people they represent .... It is the voice of the people - not the voice of the NRA or other gun groups that have the clout to keep Gun Control under wraps...

Your silly misconception is what drives gun sales .. it is not mass shootings ... it is Hussain Obama who drives gun sales... IT HAS BEEN PROVEN ... Every time President Obama spouts off about Gun Control -- Gun sales skyrocket - a graph can be plotting depicting Obama's speeches about Gun Control and Gun Sales ... Americans are not going to allow the government to confiscate guns ...

It may come as a surprise to you but Gun Ownership Rights are not related to sporting use, hunting or target practice ...and even self protection is not the primary motivation to own guns... The provision in the 2nd Amendment to Bear Arms is to protect the citizenry against a ROGUE GOVERNMENT ... which is what we have today in America... The unrelenting drive of President Obama to confiscate guns is to have free reign to dominate and subdue the American population. And Obama's seething anger at this issue is that he cannot find a way to take away guns and make the American population defenseless against his plans....

Before a rogue government could possibly confiscate the guns from nearly 100 Million Americans who own nearly 300 Millions guns - it would take an occupying army of at least 10 to 20 times bigger than the American Army is now - even counting the National Guard... therefore it is NOT going to happen.

So you see the NRA is not the bogey man out making millions from gun sales... The NRA and other large gun groups rake in tens of millions of dollars from American gun owners who are vowed and intent on NEVER EVER allowing anyone to take away the right to bear arms...

Obama is angry because he realizes the futility of a plan he once thought would be a knock dead cinch ...

Earlier there were posts about extremists...

[eggers]

Notice neither Democrat Clinton nor Republican Trump, Presidential candidates have made any strong statements about Gun Control or lack thereof!!

Good luck trying to bring about change...just won't happen; America is a Corporate Democracy!!

Maybe look better, http://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/04/politics/hillary-clinton-guns-terror/. That is consistent with her stance for some time already (sounds strange to say that of HRC).

Ok, good to, at least see, Democrats taking a stand, but don't think much will change. The "Right to bear arms" is sacrosanct.

[up2u2]

Any Congressman or woman who even hints at restricting profits from weapons sales will have the NRA put a bullseye target on them. That will be the end of their political career. The American public will start chanting NRA pro gun slogans and the second amendment for many decades to come. America is no longer run 'by the people for the people' it is run by Corporate America for Corporate America. Guns are a $15 billion a year industry and it isn't going anywhere soon. Mass shootings are good for gun sales the last thing the NRA wants is any legislation that stops them. One mass shooting a day is good for profit margins.

Such cynical wrong headed nonsense ... First the NRA is not the major player it used to be in fighting those who would try to take away our 2nd Amendment Rights. Several other groups collectively have just as much clout. And the REAL RESISTANCE to Gun Grabbers is the close to 100 Million American Citizens who will fight tooth and nail against those who would attempt to confiscate guns and take our Constitutional Rights. Also the NRA is not associated with making profits from gun manufacturers ... The NRA and several other large gun enthusiast groups - combined represent many millions of gun owners - not gun producers.... As a result - members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate listen very closely to the opinions of gun owners and those who defend the U.S. Constitution... America is a Representative Republic and voters decide who gets elected to REPRESENT their wishes ... And no sane member of Congress is going to go too far afield and fight the people they represent .... It is the voice of the people - not the voice of the NRA or other gun groups that have the clout to keep Gun Control under wraps...

Your silly misconception is what drives gun sales .. it is not mass shootings ... it is Hussain Obama who drives gun sales... IT HAS BEEN PROVEN ... Every time President Obama spouts off about Gun Control -- Gun sales skyrocket - a graph can be plotting depicting Obama's speeches about Gun Control and Gun Sales ... Americans are not going to allow the government to confiscate guns ...

It may come as a surprise to you but Gun Ownership Rights are not related to sporting use, hunting or target practice ...and even self protection is not the primary motivation to own guns... The provision in the 2nd Amendment to Bear Arms is to protect the citizenry against a ROGUE GOVERNMENT ... which is what we have today in America... The unrelenting drive of President Obama to confiscate guns is to have free reign to dominate and subdue the American population. And Obama's seething anger at this issue is that he cannot find a way to take away guns and make the American population defenseless against his plans....

Before a rogue government could possibly confiscate the guns from nearly 100 Million Americans who own nearly 300 Millions guns - it would take an occupying army of at least 10 to 20 times bigger than the American Army is now - even counting the National Guard... therefore it is NOT going to happen.

So you see the NRA is not the bogey man out making millions from gun sales... The NRA and other large gun groups rake in tens of millions of dollars from American gun owners who are vowed and intent on NEVER EVER allowing anyone to take away the right to bear arms...

Obama is angry because he realizes the futility of a plan he once thought would be a knock dead cinch ...

You illustrate my point beautifully.

[notmyself]

It's just the same old BS arguments against any form of gun control time and time again.

[chuckd]

It's just the same old BS arguments against any form of gun control time and time again.

Until the gun control populace comes up with some new positions, the same old BS arguments can be used.

For all you whiners (Not you, NMS) out there, precisely what bill would you propose be passed to solve the problem?

Try to be specific. Generalizations will get you nowhere, as you all must know by now.

Anybody?

Edited December 5, 2015 by chuckd

[watgate]

While the US continues its rapid descent into third worldism, Obama and his minions are intent on disarming law abiding citizens under the guise of public safety. All the while he is pushing for tens of thousands of muslims to be brought into the USA. In the meantime terrorism is at the US footstep and Obama and his like minded zealots won't be satisfied until the American citizenry is disarmed and defenseless against a growing threat. History tells the story of many countries that were disarmed by evil and sinister leaders which led to genocide of its population. History has a way of repeating itself and Gun control is in fact about control and without an armed citizenry to fight back against tyranny and oppression, then ruthless and evil leaders can implement their agenda, whatever it may be.

[notmyself]

What does 'A well regulated militia' mean?

[bazza40]

Any Congressman or woman who even hints at restricting profits from weapons sales will have the NRA put a bullseye target on them. That will be the end of their political career. The American public will start chanting NRA pro gun slogans and the second amendment for many decades to come. America is no longer run 'by the people for the people' it is run by Corporate America for Corporate America. Guns are a $15 billion a year industry and it isn't going anywhere soon. Mass shootings are good for gun sales the last thing the NRA wants is any legislation that stops them. One mass shooting a day is good for profit margins.

Such cynical wrong headed nonsense ... First the NRA is not the major player it used to be in fighting those who would try to take away our 2nd Amendment Rights. Several other groups collectively have just as much clout. And the REAL RESISTANCE to Gun Grabbers is the close to 100 Million American Citizens who will fight tooth and nail against those who would attempt to confiscate guns and take our Constitutional Rights. Also the NRA is not associated with making profits from gun manufacturers ... The NRA and several other large gun enthusiast groups - combined represent many millions of gun owners - not gun producers.... As a result - members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate listen very closely to the opinions of gun owners and those who defend the U.S. Constitution... America is a Representative Republic and voters decide who gets elected to REPRESENT their wishes ... And no sane member of Congress is going to go too far afield and fight the people they represent .... It is the voice of the people - not the voice of the NRA or other gun groups that have the clout to keep Gun Control under wraps...

Your silly misconception is what drives gun sales .. it is not mass shootings ... it is Hussain Obama who drives gun sales... IT HAS BEEN PROVEN ... Every time President Obama spouts off about Gun Control -- Gun sales skyrocket - a graph can be plotting depicting Obama's speeches about Gun Control and Gun Sales ... Americans are not going to allow the government to confiscate guns ...

It may come as a surprise to you but Gun Ownership Rights are not related to sporting use, hunting or target practice ...and even self protection is not the primary motivation to own guns... The provision in the 2nd Amendment to Bear Arms is to protect the citizenry against a ROGUE GOVERNMENT ... which is what we have today in America... The unrelenting drive of President Obama to confiscate guns is to have free reign to dominate and subdue the American population. And Obama's seething anger at this issue is that he cannot find a way to take away guns and make the American population defenseless against his plans....

Before a rogue government could possibly confiscate the guns from nearly 100 Million Americans who own nearly 300 Millions guns - it would take an occupying army of at least 10 to 20 times bigger than the American Army is now - even counting the National Guard... therefore it is NOT going to happen.

So you see the NRA is not the bogey man out making millions from gun sales... The NRA and other large gun groups rake in tens of millions of dollars from American gun owners who are vowed and intent on NEVER EVER allowing anyone to take away the right to bear arms...

Obama is angry because he realizes the futility of a plan he once thought would be a knock dead cinch ...

Let me explain it to you.

In the wake of the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in Australia, strict gun laws were implemented which banned the private ownership of automatic, semi-automatic and pump action firearms.

There have been no mass shootings in Australia since those gun laws were enacted.

One would have thought after the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre of 20 children and their teachers, American politicians would have acted decisively. The response was an upsurge in gun sales. After the latest San Bernadino massacre, gun shops are predicting a lift in gun sales again.

Winston Churchill once said Americans arrive at the right course of action after exhausting all other options.

Perhaps you are not aware the rest of the world regards the American attachment to the Second Amendment as irrational, if not insane.

When are you going to grow up? Keep going the way you are, and the USA will be in a death spiral.

[chuckd]

d-e-a-t-h s-p-i-r-a-l.

OK, got it.

[brewsterbudgen]

Was watching Sean Hannity on Fox the other day - sorry, won't happen again!!

He was 'interviewing' an anti-gun guy and also had Laura Ingraham to ensure they were 'fair and balanced'.

Hannity would ask the AGG a loaded question, give him about 5 seconds to start his response then talk (shout) over him. This happened about 3/4 times and the AGG kept his calm and eventually broke into a grin as he just knew this was going to happen!!

He finished the segment by giving a slam dunk question to LI, allowed her to respond without interruption then gave her a 'great point' close out comment.

Faux News at its' best.

Sean Hannity's bluster, bile and bias is entertaining. Even better is Mark Levin's radio show!

[ace]

France has very strict gun control laws. They have had 3 mass shootings this year.

Having said that I would question the availability of semi / automatic weapons in the US.

[Pinot]

America doesn't have to tolerate the intolerable.

Politicize every shooting to the max. Ask Politicians how they dare not stop the slaughter. If there is ever a tipping point, it will happen we confront these scared, disgusting people with their crazy, wingnut beliefs.

How long do you think we have before the next mass shooting? In 3...2...

[arjunadawn]

Momentous occasion, and not before time.

I trust it will be well written and invoke some serious soul-searching amongst the gun-nuts.

NYT with a lefty editorial is about as curious as snow in the arctic. If an Eskimo moved his igloo from the plain to a hill, its still an igloo in the snow. Is there really one among us who finds this novel or curious? (I guess...)

But this is why the issue is intractable: the motivations of the opposing side are always- always denigrated before even arriving at the table of ideas. You rarely hear people saying it is their underlying supposition that gun control advocates are nanny state despot enablers who are couching socialism in the crises of the day. Gun control people, the left, progressives, other descriptive terms properly define how the right regards those who are 'coming for the guns' but not the qualifying pejoratives of "nut" whacko, sickos, perverts, and such. The largest source of vitriol in the US polity is always those who scream for tolerance- the left. Always! This speaks volumes about those who wish to inflict their good upon others.

CA is among the most strict gun control in the nation. There is not much more to do other than actually start coring out the 2nd Amendment directly. Really. We are clearly at that point. If that is where this must go then specifically go to that argument. The assertion that there is more that can be done short of that is not true. Recent and multiple court rulings suggest, to me, that clearly the envelope has been fully pushed where the right of the government extends into the right of the individual with regards to arms. Courts are those rolling back long held multiple notions of restricting gun sales or right to carry. We have moved one way with gun control, then this way, and the general line between as far as we can go short of an amendment has, i think, been reached. I don't want to change the Bill of Rights but I would stand by an honest conclusion reached from it, I think. The thing is, the left does not ever want to begin the debate, or the next part of this debate, by admitting, its time we looked at repealing or gutting the 2nd Amendment directly. Perhaps flooring the bill, sending to states, or generating from states up. This does not happen because it has always been the position of gun supporters that gun control is an inexorable march to registration and confiscation. They are correct of course, but progressives don't admit this. Leftists know the single greatest glue for the right is to admit what their true aims are.

Obama is actually the biggest cause of gun purchases in the US. This is hardly hyperbole. Look at the statistics. Over the last years gun sales surges correspond with Obama policy announcements, his declared achievements, and his stated aims every time. Obama is not the cause of gun violence obviously, but he is the leading cause of sales in the gun industry.

[Chicog]

It's just the same old BS arguments against any form of gun control time and time again.

Until the gun control populace comes up with some new positions, the same old BS arguments can be used.

For all you whiners (Not you, NMS) out there, precisely what bill would you propose be passed to solve the problem?

Try to be specific. Generalizations will get you nowhere, as you all must know by now.

Anybody?

I'll bite.

For a start, put this back.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Assault_Weapons_Ban

[Farma]

I saw a comment on the news before.

The 2nd amendment is just that... An Amendment.

Whats to stop it being amended again?