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thisoneisnotasbad t1_itxlcrx wrote

We all have some of the least restrictive gun laws in the country. Loaded concealed carry with no permit.

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ElisabetSobeckPhD t1_itxs52j wrote

I feel like Vermont being safe has very little to do with gun laws (or lack of)

I feel like the gun laws of Vermont work simply because of the people of Vermont.

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taez555 t1_ityvhbi wrote

Not just the people, but also the lack of people in Vermont.

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ElisabetSobeckPhD t1_itzdie3 wrote

yeah more specifically I meant like the entire social structure of Vermont is completely different from.. well, most places.

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thisoneisnotasbad t1_itz6d9r wrote

That was the real point. Gun laws don’t make people more or less safe. People make people more or less safe.

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chriswasmyboy t1_iudfv5t wrote

Gun laws certainly can make people more safe. Look at Canada, a country with significant gun ownership. A Canadian has to jump through quite a bit more hoops than an American to own a gun. The process takes a considerable more time in Canada, ensuring fewer people who shouldn't own a gun can't own a gun. However, many law abiding citizens who pose no threat to their fellow citizens are approved for gun ownership. People with mental health issues, drug issues and domestic violence histories are much more likely to not be able to buy a gun.

  • You have to take and pass a firearms safety course in Canada.

  • You have to buy a weapon through a licensed firearms dealer, or if making a private transaction register the transaction through a licensed firearms dealer.

  • Those who wish to obtain their firearm licence must pass background checks which assess the applicant's criminal record, mental health, addiction issues, and any history of domestic violence. The applicant will also need to obtain character references.

  • Assault weapons are now banned in Canada, making it much less likely there will be mass shootings.

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NEIC_ADMIN t1_itzlu68 wrote

People get too worked up about guns on both sides.

Guns by themselves don't cause crime.

Income inequality (not absolute poverty), cultural values, age and gender demographics, family structure, and parenting styles are the primary drivers of crime.

A society with a lot of family breakdown will have a lot of crime.

A nation with a medium median income and a high Gini coefficient will have more crime than a nation with a low median income and a low Gini coefficient. This is why Latin American nations tend to have higher murder rates than Central African ones.

You can arm every single 60+ year old woman on earth and they will still have a lower rate of crime than if you took away guns from every 20-39 year old man.

East Asian nations tend to have lower rates of crime than Western, Sub-Saharan African, and Latin American nations of the same median income and education level.

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Rwill97ad t1_itxqxzb wrote

Mass and CT are up there too and have some of the strictest gun laws. New England in general is very safe

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senorali t1_itxqh64 wrote

So does Texas. Not sure if that's a major contributor toward safety. Feels like quite the opposite down here.

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Willie_the_Wombat t1_itxytzl wrote

Came here to champion constitutional or “Vermont carry”. We should be proud that this doctrine is named for our state. I’m glad to see your comment in the positive.

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link293 t1_itzjwib wrote

We grew up with guns and were taught to understand and respect them. It's kind of like teaching kids safe sex and seeing the drop in teen pregnancies.

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thisoneisnotasbad t1_iu09cvk wrote

Same, guns were tools and we were taught to respect them and use them as children.

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