Aww. It's sweet that you trust me not to go power mad, naive maybe, but sweet.

Where'd I say that? I just figure your up-against-the-wall list has a fair degree of overlap with mine.

Do people really do that? I see that, and raise with "Guns in bars"...I shit you not. Because nothing but protection can come from somebody coming heavy to a bar. I don't belong here.

the state with the highest death penalty rate in the US (and one of the highest in the world) doesn't allow juries to consider life without parole as an option for punishment of criminals.

That's kind of insane. I oppose capital punishment, but if the choice was capital punishment or see a child rapist/murderer on the streets in 15 years, I'd flip the switch myself. It puts the Texas death penalty rate in perspective.

The wacky conservative idea that has always baffled me is the right to carry concealed weapons.

Like, okay, you believe weapons are a good thing and you should be able to defend yourself with all the deadly waffle-iron power you can muster. But, like, what benefit is there to carrying the waffle-iron down your pants? Isn't it more of a deterrent if you wear your weapon right out there for everyone to see, and say, "Dude, I got a waffle-iron. Can it with the mischief, now."

There will still be dumbasses who try to rob banks when they can see for themselves all the six-guns assembled on the premises; but I should think fair warning about when not to be a dumbass would be a good thing.

Also, being required to wear your weapon unconcealed would be an excellent fashion statement.

I see that, and raise with "Guns in bars"...I shit you not. Because nothing but protection can come from somebody coming heavy to a bar. I don't belong here.

This was an issue of heavy debate in Virginia last session. I think they left it at, open-carry weapons are okay, concealed-carry weapons are not, but the whole idea of it as an issue was kind of boggling to those of us in (sane) Northern Virginia.

I think Florida may win for crazy gun laws.

This legislative session a bill is going around (not sure if it's fully passed but JEB will sign it) that allows someone to kill in self defense on the street without first trying to flee an attacker. Floridians can already shoot to kill a potential attacker in their homes, work, or car.

The wacky conservative idea that has always baffled me is the right to carry concealed weapons.

What's wacky about the idea of putting a gun into my purse for personal protection?

In fact, it's unconcealed carry that baffles me. If the gun's not my job, it's not your business.

I have a new name! I like it so much that I might try to get people to address me by this in real life.

It puts the Texas death penalty rate in perspective.

Yep. What gets me is the brand of Christian conservative who'd rather go on killing people rather than offering the option of life imprisonment. 'Cause their concern about the sanctity of life ends at birth.

Hi all!

So the new pope is kind of scary!conservative, but old?

I had a good first day of work training. I got to learn stuff, AND do research.

eta: I don't understand your new name, Hayden , but I'm glad it makes you happy.

Personally, I prefer that people who are carrying guns around do it by putting them in their pockets/purses/etc. Seeing guns makes most people nervous. There was a time when DH and I frequently flew with a pistol in checked baggage. It made the check-in people nervous every single time, but only once they'd seen it.