"I Want it Both Ways!"

In a recent newspaper editorial a man asserted that banning assault weapons would be wrong.  He said people kill people, not weapons, and we need to deal with the problem of mentally ill people -- not ban guns.  Then he continued to say that background checks on people purchasing weapons was also wrong.

Wait a minute! my thinking about thinking friends.  Would not background checks find some of the "people problems" before allowing certain people to own guns who might kill kids at schools? 

We have a governance issue before us.  How best can we devise a society that permits great liberties while preventing abuse of citizens, often the citizens with the least power.  The NRA (National Rifle Association, called by a few the National Retarded Association) wants to blame people for shooting people -- but turns around and wants to prohibit the kinds of governance that helps us screen out people who are more likely to hurt folks with weapons.    They say, as it were, "I  want it both ways!".  I think they add , "Dammit" to the end of their plaintive cry.

I believe that is silly thinking.  What do you think?  Can you have it both ways and make any sense  at all?  Leave a comment and let us know.