tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post4887515891562464966..comments2024-03-22T16:02:08.213-05:00Comments on The Wheel: NewtownMark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-24879054941027907172018-02-17T11:29:21.902-06:002018-02-17T11:29:21.902-06:00Make no mistake, I'm in favor of background ch...Make no mistake, I'm in favor of background checks, assault weapon bans, etc., even if they wouldn't have prevented the Newtown tragedy. No one action will prevent all crime. Still, I think universal militia training gets around the constitutional legal argument that gun defenders use to prevent common sense actions from being taken.Mark Stegerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-412028369758413392012-12-21T14:07:27.749-06:002012-12-21T14:07:27.749-06:001. I "believe" (I am not sure) that ther...1. I "believe" (I am not sure) that there is an option to continue in the reserves for many years...indeed, as they shrink the standing army, I think some guys go straight to the reserves...still, I see your point, but perhaps after doing your 20 in the reserves, someone has a good take on your competence.<br /><br />2. The environments of Israel and Switzerland are quite different, although I have no idea what the comparable suicide rates are. I did read, that in 2007, the Army stopped sending ammunition home, so maybe there was some concern there. Of course, it wouldn't be that hard for a determined person to get some ammo, but I suppose that much of the success of preventing suicides is to remove the immediate means to do so...i.e., if society makes it difficult to kill yourself, you may change your mind by the time you're able to...<br /><br />Billmccalpinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02768191960822864278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-70609772486339432872012-12-21T11:25:51.991-06:002012-12-21T11:25:51.991-06:001. Only if Switzerland's compulsory military s...1. Only if Switzerland's compulsory military service is continuous throughout life, or as long as the citizen desires to possess firearms.<br /><br />2. I read that Israel, a few years ago, changed their practice and started requiring service members to leave their guns at the base on weekends. There was a noticeable drop in suicides among service members.Mark Stegerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-36742605504017714772012-12-21T09:50:42.628-06:002012-12-21T09:50:42.628-06:00In other words, let's be like Switzerland: (1)...In other words, let's be like Switzerland: (1) compulsory military service for all young men and optional service for young women, (2) screening for the young men and women, so that those unsuited for military service be offered alternative national service roles, and (3) those soldiers issued weapons and kit keep them at home during their term of service.<br /><br />Yeah, I can live with this...<br /><br />Billmccalpinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02768191960822864278noreply@blogger.com