>>>So in respect to crimes committed with guns the issue is not guns but poverty. To focus on guns only is actually doing the real problem a disservice. It is easy to focus on guns, it is a great political soapbox, a vote garner, but detracts from the far more complex and costly to solve root problem. It looks like we are doing something, looks like we are doing the right thing but we are potentially doing more harm to society by not paying attention to and addressing the root cause of the crime - poverty.
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>>Isn't this also true for pro-gunners who claim they need the gun for their own safety?
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>You are still entertaining the wrong debate and in doing so detract attention from the actual problem. By not addressing the real problem one thinks one is doing the right thing but in the meantime one is doing society a disservice. Gun crime is a symptom and you can mess around with symptoms endlessly. We need to pay attention to and address the root cause of the problem. But that, of course, is a far more difficult and expensive problem to solve. And it is a problem that also exposes the consistent failure of our governments and politicians to create a society in which all its members can live a meaningful and constructive life.
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>To answer your question though; the pro-gun camp shouldn't have to say anything at all, apparently they have the current law and constitution on their side. They are not looking to change anything. Of course, they are compelled to present a counter argument for fear of looking like they dont care about the issue. The truth is, the anti-gun camp wish to change the status quo and so the onus should be on them to present a comprehensive and solid argument why to do so. But their argument fails to address (and thus solve) the true problem.
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>Make it simple; you are given a magical choice between removing guns from society or removing poverty (social, economic, educational) from society. Which one do you choose? I choose removing poverty because that would automatically make the existence of guns a non-issue. Choosing the first option will not solve the poverty issue and thus only modify or shift the crime problem; it will become knife crime or bomb crime or something else.

Sadly such a magical choice doesn't exist. Obviously we need a lot of work on removing poverty...I couldn't agree more. None the less, while these issues are being addressed we can still have background checks and registration. Ironically I see the same folks that have a problem with this are the same people who think somehow people in poverty are there by choice and just want the gumberment to give them handouts. If you're a single parent with two kids making $7.50per hour ...you tell me what you supposed to do? The cheapest STUDIO apt here in like $1200 a month. Somebody better be helping somehow because those two jobs you have doesn't even cover the rent so either no one is eating or no home. If you're prone to religion might want to pray no one gets sick cause then you got another huge problem. Meanwhile now that you have 3 jobs, you can't spend anytime working with your kids ...soo the education progress will suffer - and since you live in bad neighborhood the school you now depend on more really sucks. Meanwhile you have some knuckleheads telling you it's all your fault don't be a leach...oh and here is a gun you don't have to do a background check so dont worry if you cant read the application.