Comments about ‘Utahns oppose new gun laws, poll shows’

I wonder what percentage of supporters to non-supporters showed up to committee?

I'm a part of the silent majority. A gun has only one purpose, which is to kill. Target practice only makes one more proficient as a killer because the gun has no other purpose. I don't own a gun. I would rather be killed than to ever shoot another, even in self defense. Unfortunately, this is a very evil world and burying our weapons wholesale will not work. Outlawing guns will never work. Only the Gadiantons will have them if we outlaw them. Still, I choose to be unarmed. It is my choice.

I will defend my family and I will defend my own life in order that I insure the safety of my family. A would rather lose my own life than take the life of another, but because of my love for my family, I will no allow another to take one of their lives if it comes down to that. Therefore, I submit that any law abiding citizen should always be allowed to protect those rights. Gun control have hurt law abiding citizens much more than they have hurt criminals. Criminals will do whatever they choose and very little will stop them or even slow them down. My opinion.... sure.... but it is my opinion that I own....along with my guns.

Mr. Gunn makes a logical error in attempting to pit support of guns rights against support of property rights. That property right that he so dearly espouses is already subject to a host of laws and regulations. This is just another. Beyond that, ultimately, private property rights are self-defense rights. The 2nd Amendment provides the muscle to protect all the others.

Gun laws are foolish. Strict penalties for misuse is the only rational control. Use a gun in a crime, go to prison for 10 years mandatory with no early release. Punishing otherwise law abiding people with restrictive laws punishes them, not the criminals.

As always, polls can be manipulated to gain the results they desire. Anyone believing in polls is beyond hope of ever knowing the truth. Any american not willing to fight for his country and his rights do not deserve to call themselves americans. These are the potential victims of government, the primary reason to have and own guns is not just for self defense, its to defend their rights. It is the only defense of absolute power by government in this country. Being responsible gun owners is an obligation of americans to know how to handle and use guns. Disarming citizens is more harmful than allowing criminals and law enforcement be the only armed individuals.

It is true that handguns, in particular, are anti-personnel weapons that are well-suited to stopping deadly threats that arise suddenly and at close range. By your own admission, "Gadiantons" and other evil-doers exist and have the propensity to do lethal harm (with or without guns). Shouldn't it stand to reason that good individuals should have the means to defend against such? I respect your choice to turn the other cheek, but we should never force others to give up their right to self defense.

"A gun has only one purpose, which is to kill."

You are wrong. The 'understanding' that a gun CAN kill, and may be used to defend property and family is a powerful deterrent against those that might want to harm them.

Therefore, a gun has another purpose, which is to protect your family.

You say you'd "rather be killed than to ever shoot another, even in self defense."

Well, I wonder how you'd react if you found a murdering rapist trying to take your child. I suppose the last thing you would want at that point would be a gun, right? After all, it might kill someone.

Great Job gun lobbyist. You win against the will of the people. Great job governor, and all politicians. Maybe you know what's best for us. We are one of the most violent countries in the world thanks to the laws that you keep passing. I hope I am wrong, but I am afraid there will be more people shot to death, more innocents killed because of this law you politicians have just passed.
I oppose it , and I will vote against everyone involved in this legislation.

Come on Dan Jones - a whopping 400 Utans were polled. All SL county?

Why does the gun need to be loaded if you travel with it in a car?

I respect your opinion "I confess" however believe it or not there are people out there that own guns that don't kill. I am one of those and I love trap shooting and target shooting. It is a type of sport. No I really don't go out and even kill animals with my guns. I respect those that do though. Hunting is not wrong either. This is one of those issues that, will cause a lot of heart ache but what is our government founded on. FREEDOM, Freedom to choose. There are too many laws now and they keep growing. Of course this is my opinion and really a lot of the laws are someones opinion. So I guess I am just sick and tired of people taking freedoms away over opinions. I really don't disagree with this law. However why do we have to have laws like this to begin with. We have way to many laws anyways. Oh well I guess it is wishful thinking to think that people will learn how to coexist without someone needing a new law to help them think like a responsible individual.

"Utah legislators appear to have missed the will of the people on two gun bills that passed this session"

What a bunch of hooey! Dan Jones didn't poll conceal carry permit holders or other 2nd amendment supporters. The primary concern of permit holders is the fact that we cannot carry our firearms anywhere without fear of persecution by overzealous gun haters and control advocates. Every establishment, employer, church etc. has policies in place that prevent a legal gun owner from having a firearm on their property. A lot of permit holders (who are law abiding) are prohibited from carrying for fear of losing their jobs, public embarrassment or harrassment by law officials, and therefore do not carry on a regular basis. The choice to carry in defense of your family, friends or other citizens is more of a myth than a reality. The 2nd amendment rights have been ignored, until now. Thank you Utah Legislators!

The will of everyone I know was reflected in the passage of the bills. I now have at least a little renewed faith in our government.

This is what happens when we have a unbalance of power in the legislature. Republicans will always get on their knees for the "I love my guns" lobbyist.

I agree completely with your statement. "Criminals will do whatever they choose and very little will stop them or even slow them down." This statement is a true fact whether law-abiding citizens are allowed to carry guns with them 24-7 or not. Unfortunately, this delusion of a wild wild west shootout on the street where Joe Blow takes his legally permitted weapon from his vehicle and thwarts a robbery or other crime do not happen. They are nice ideas that gun advocates like to throw out to provide an empty reason for carrying a weapon with them to church, school, work, etc.

For every story about average Joe saving the day with his gun, there are 10 stories about children being accidentilly shot by daddies weapon.

I love to read gun advocates attempt to argue the fact that guns have one true purpose...TO KILL. They are not meant as decorations, or as a pyschological advantage to stop a criminal in their tracks. They are manufactured with the intent to do maximum harm to it's target..KILL IT. Dressing a weapon up any other way is a sad attempt at rationalization.

The irony is that we liberals will have to arm ourselves, not to defend the liberty of the nation against tyranny, but to protect ourselves from the small, increasingly intolerant minority of over-armed "Fox Nation" paranoids.

At least now we will truly have a right to defend ourselves. Do you think criminals would observe any gun laws? Now maybe they will think twice before committing a violent act knowing a law abiding citizen has a firearm handy and loaded. Thank you Utah legislators.

Yes if the world could get rid of guns, then criminals would use sharp stones. These Gadianton robbers, which is actually a good name, would do more harm if they knew that we were all unarmed. I love that if have the ability to bare arms in protection for my family and myself if needed. Now i pray that day never comes, but the way it looks now a days, its almost inevidable. I shoot for sport and the fact that i have so much power in my hands, and know how to use it responsibly is a relief.

Dan Jones is a pollster who is a liberal. I never saw the questions because he didn't call me. His sampling must have been 400 people within a mile of the U of U campus.

My guess is that the questions were massively skewed to get the "proper result".

This law, especially the one about a gun left in a car at a workplace has been needed for years. The poor guys that got fired by AOL for having guns in their cars in the AOL parking lot in Ogden, for no other purpose than to go target shooting after work, got canned unfairly. Just because AOL controlled th parking lot, they could fire these guys for having guns.

It's about time that issue was addressed.