John McCain: Gun Control 'Would Have To Be Proved' As Preventer Of Gun Violence

Raw Story:

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) says there is no proof that gun control leads to less gun violence, but he is willing to “look at everything” following a massacre in Aurora, Colorado that left least 12 dead and 58 wounded.

Read the whole story at Raw Story

Comments

[Robert Secrist]

09:38 AM on 02/23/2013

States with stricter gun laws have fewer gun murders. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2012/07/23/six-facts-about-guns-violence-and-gun-control/ McCain is afraid of the NRA and the rabid conservatives in his party.

[Twootchy]

03:35 AM on 02/24/2013

The problem with that is that there's no relationship between stricter gun laws and total homicide rates.

So why does it matter if you reduce "gun murders", but just as many people are dying?

[senevada]

12:47 AM on 02/23/2013

Actually Mr McCain there is PLENTY of proof that stricter gun regulations help limit gun crime, just look at the UK or Australia or any of a number of other nations that have shown dramatic reductions in gun violence since passing stricter regulations.

[Twootchy]

03:30 AM on 02/24/2013

Unfortunately for your argument, reducing gun violence has not been shown to reduce total violence or total violent death. Gun violence isn't something that's completely independent of other violence, and that's why gun control laws don't work.

Focusing on guns just keeps us from looking at ways to reduce total violence.

[hartchase]

07:00 PM on 02/22/2013

mcain is right . it will not pass congress or the senate . it is the 2nd amendment and the law . and we do not need a reason to enjoy collecting guns , shooting guns , enjoying guns or our choice in which ones we own . not to non felon gun owners , no criminal record . no reason for peole that choose to won a semi-auto firearm . we don`t try to beg congress to ban you cheaters , cocaine users , drunks or other things people do . those of us that are not criminals will not allow you or an oppresive govt take them away . so.....im sorry about those hurt by criminals by some guns . but, the peole using them are the problem . and you wealthy snots that have gated communties , and security mind your own business and let the law abiding alone . your not getting our guns . not even by executive vote . even i the most crime riddeled cities where most of this crap happens , semi auto long guns are involved at the highest rate 4% . it is an fbi fact . 4% on all long guns period . 72% are committed with handguns and feinstein herself carries one of those . she does not have the right to tell anyone in america they cannot have a gun if their not a criminal , but SHE can ! hypocrite !

[rhunt0926]

11:15 PM on 12/16/2012

John McCain no longer has credibility on any subject, but the fact that he's been bought off by the NRA, accepting large donations, like so many in his party (and a few Democrats) makes him even less credible. Don't know wh he's getting media, except in the sense tha Pat Robinson's and Jerry Falwell's outrageous comments got media. He, like other NRA stooges, need to be retired so something realistic can be done.

[jzannoni]

05:42 AM on 07/25/2012

I cant smoke pot but I can buy a semi automatic gun without a background check? Am I missing something here?

[Kyle Tabor]

02:25 PM on 01/13/2013

Yes, you are one is constitutional right the other is not.....I'll give you 2 guesses at which one is but you only need one = )

Also, if you live in some states, now you can smoke pot.....so.....

Even if pot is illegal in your state? It would be considered banned right? Well, i'm sure that ban doesn't stop you from using does it?

[senevada]

12:49 AM on 02/23/2013

Well you cant smoke pot legally YET...

[OnceProudAmerican]

05:59 PM on 07/24/2012

This Knee Jerk reaction is how we ended up in two unnessasary wars!
I agree no one needs a fully auto gun, just like no one needs a multi million dollar salary!
What we do need is to hold people accountable for their actions!
If passing laws would fix the problem, then we would'nt have a drug problem any more!

[hartchase]

07:11 PM on 02/22/2013

the semi auto firearms you refer to are not fully automatic weapons . those have been banned since 1934 . please read the facts before speaking . the guns they speak of have black plastic furniture yet function the same as all guns that have been used for sport and hunting and home protection since the 40`s . you people need to learn what your talking about before talking . u sound like toddlers blabbing all the time but making no sense . none of us that own thse so called assault weapons , which they are not , none of them are fully automatic . that is a class 3 fed felony and we that own these guns and have for decades know this . obviously you have never owned a gun or not enough of them to know a damn thing about that of which you speak . learn , and know , or shaddap !

[OnceProudAmerican]

05:48 PM on 07/24/2012

What we need to do is start holding people ACCOUNTABLE for their actions!
As it stands now this guy's case will be tied up in court for years to come. Meanwhile taxpayers will house, cloth and feed him.
This guy is guilty beond doubt. Give him the speedy trial that the Constitution promises and give the families of the dead some closure! As it is now they will have to relive the pain every time they see his face or hear about him.
I agree with McCain about getting all the facts before we make a "knee jerk" reaction.
This is how we were sold two unjust wars!

[hartchase]

07:12 PM on 02/22/2013

very wise reply !

[WTxIndependent]

04:59 PM on 07/23/2012

to some extent, McCain is right.

Mexico has very strict gun control laws. It's very difficult to legally own a firearm in Mexico, but that does not curb their gun violence.

Of course, with the easy availability of legally purchased firearms from the US and other countries flowing into Mexico, the argument is not easy to sell.

[CandaceTX]

11:18 PM on 12/16/2012

Australia had an assault weapon spree killing in 1994, they banned assault weapons and have not had an assault weapon killing since...and they have as many guns per capita as we. When we did have the assault weapons ban, for the five years preceeding, gun crimes were +4.6%, during the ban they dropped +65% to 1.6%.

Can't speak for McCain, but I consider that "proof"....

You can't prevent all auto deaths, but that does not stop us from requiring seat belts, air bags, speed regulations, vehicle operation rules, etc...

[proteous]

04:50 PM on 07/23/2012

To be honest implementing real gun control in the US is just impossible. There are too many freaking guns here already. Now we can and should re-implement the Assault Weapons ban that expired in 2004...and no you don't have a constitutional right to a 50 shell clip.

[Kyle Tabor]

02:37 PM on 01/13/2013

"50 shell clip" so instead just 5 - 10 round clips? LoL yep that will help.....

[Eye2amAmerican]

03:43 PM on 07/23/2012

unless John McCain is going to tell us what is in Mitt Romney's tax returns....do we care what he has to say...about anything....no, we do not.....

[Kyle Tabor]

02:38 PM on 01/13/2013

Why is being rich in America a crime to socialist like you.....oh wait, I just answered my own question.

[Eye2amAmerican]

08:02 PM on 01/15/2013

kyle......1) you don't know the meaning of "socialist"....2) stop repeating what you hear others say....it makes you look....well...dumb...3) no one in america is in jail because he/she is "rich"...4) there is always 2016 for Mittens....of course the tax return, mormon, 47% thingy will still be there......HAPPY NEW YEAR...... P.S.Barack Obama is the first president in 50 years to be elected twice with more than 51% of the popular vote....does this mean that america loves "socialist" just asking

[luvobama]

02:44 PM on 07/23/2012

Don't they have gun-control in England? How many people are killed everyday there?

[walterdenali]

09:45 AM on 01/14/2013

GUNS KILL NO ONE PEOPLE KILL. WITH A KNIFE, BALL BA, SCREWDRIVER, AND MANY WAYS. DO WE OUTLAW EVERYTHING? gUNS ARE OUR ONLY PROTECTION AND LOOK AT THYE SWISS WHO ARE ISSUED GUNS, YET HAVE LITTLE VIOLENCE?
pATRIOTIC sENIOR AND PROUD OF IT

[barrett]

02:38 PM on 07/23/2012

Does common sense require proof? I'd like to see McCain prove that a man cannot serve two masters, or that he loves his country. I'd like to see him prove that where there's smoke, there's fire or that you are what you eat. Some things are so obvious, they don't require proof.

[hartchase]

07:21 PM on 02/22/2013

so...lets assume you eat shit...whats that make you ? u do not know that man nor have you been in his shoes...shaddap !

[Twelve]

02:24 PM on 07/23/2012

It is astonishing that gun lovers are defending this guy's right to purchase and own a high powered assault rifle. What is the purpose of such a gun? To hunt with - no. To shoot at targets - no. To kill people - YES!! And to think the darned thing jammed half way through his blood bath. How many more would have died if it had not? You sickos that defend people owning assault weapons have just as much blood on your hands as the gunman.

[Kyle Tabor]

02:39 PM on 01/13/2013

Can you kill someone with a handgun with a 10 round clip?

[Twelve]

02:16 PM on 07/23/2012

How much f*****king proof do you need John? Jesus

[EllisIsland]

01:01 PM on 07/23/2012

Stupid comment from a stupid man.

[Roy in Canada]

01:20 PM on 07/23/2012

EllisIsland,

and the other anti gun fanatics who will not allow facts to get in the way of their "Ban guns" mantra....

From the CDC, 2003; http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5214a2.htm...

Summary: No proof gun control laws work....

[EllisIsland]

01:39 PM on 07/23/2012

No one wants to "ban guns" we want to ban military style industrial kllling machines.

[Twelve]

02:18 PM on 07/23/2012

Where do you get that people want to ban all guns? If you think it was ok for this guy to be able to purchase a high powered assault rifle LEGALLY to use to shoot people, then you have as much blood on your hands as he does.