A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that across all political and social groups in the United States, there is a strong preference against living near AR-15 rifle owners and neighbors who store guns outside of locked safes. This surprising consensus suggests that when it comes to immediate living environments, Americans’ views on gun control may be less divided than the polarized national debate suggests.

The research was conducted against a backdrop of increasing gun violence and polarization on gun policy in the United States. The United States has over 350 million civilian firearms and gun-related incidents, including accidents and mass shootings, have become a leading cause of death in the country. Despite political divides, the new study aimed to explore whether there’s common ground among Americans in their immediate living environments, focusing on neighborhood preferences related to gun ownership and storage.

  • Flying Squid
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    113 days ago

    Everything is 100% of itself.

    A pear is 100% of itself. Even if you eat part of it, it’s still 100% pear.

    • Frog-Brawler
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      113 days ago

      You’re almost there…

      Now when you say “a pear” you’re not taking about portions of the pear, you’re talking about the whole thing.

      So when you say “general population…” without qualifying the specific portion you’re referring to… go ahead, I’ll let you say it…

      • Flying Squid
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        113 days ago

        Yes, I am referring to 100% of the people to whom I am referring. I’m not sure why you think that is a great revelation. I’m talking to 100% of you right now.

        • Frog-Brawler
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          113 days ago

          100% of me is a % of the general public. Thus, the general public does not agree that all AR-15 owners are conservative dickbags.

          • Flying Squid
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            113 days ago

            So you’re saying that if I claim “the general public likes chocolate” and you personally don’t like chocolate, it isn’t true?

            • Frog-Brawler
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              113 days ago

              Correct.

              If you want to say “there’s a percentage of the general population that likes chocolate,” that would be a true statement; but by the same account, it also means “there is a percentage of the general population that does not like chocolate.” The former implies the latter, and when it breaks down like that, you’re really not saying fuck-all.

              Provide some percentages.

              • Flying Squid
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                113 days ago

                So you do think “general public” means “100% of the population.”

                Good luck getting the rest of the world to agree with you on that. That’s certainly not what I meant.

                • Frog-Brawler
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                  13 days ago

                  What % of the public do you need in order to qualify usage of the statement “general public?”

                  Is it 51%? That would mean 49% do not agree.

                  • Flying Squid
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                    113 days ago

                    What part of “that’s certainly not what I meant” is unclear to you?

                    Or are you claiming that you know what I meant better than I do?