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RE: Changing The Legal Age To Buy A Rifle....Good or Bad Idea?

in #gunlaws7 years ago (edited)

I mean I completely understand the reasons for the 21 vs 18 situation from a cognitive perspective. I don't exactly think that that is why the laws for 18 are the way they are. It is not as much about overall cognitive development and intelligence than it is about recognizing cause/effect and being able to think rationally about consequences. If it were about intelligence, then there would be IQ restrictions on the exercising of certain rights. Once someone has passed 18 there is basically no chance that they haven't passed the cause/effect milestone (discounting the mentally handicapped).

By in large, the majority of gun murderers are adults. While it is easy to point to school shootings and think there is a problem with youths and guns, school shooting are statistically an anomaly when compared to overall violent crime with guns or gun homicides. That being said, late teens and young adults are more commonly the victims of crime so as far as an epidemic of teens being victimized by violent crime, there is an arguement to be made for such a thing. Generally speaking though, gang affiliations and poverty have a lot to do with it as a confounding factor.

As far as the police thing goes, I have personally no problem with the idea of an 18 year old being a cop. Problems with authority aside, if they can test as well or better than someone 21+ I would rather have them as cops than the other guys. This is coming from me who would hate 18 year old me.

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