Former Office of the Midwest Governor (Closed as of January 7th, 2015)

[Donerail]

A friendly question for the Governor-elect from another region: what do you project will be the economic impact of banning what is, nationally, a $23 billion industry, from your region?

[Donerail]

A friendly question for the Governor-elect from another region: what do you project will be the economic impact of banning what is, nationally, a $23 billion industry, from your region?

We're not flat-out going to ban guns. People can still legally purchase guns and own them as the Constitution states, just there are some additional regulations in this bill. The only side-effects are that this will cause less revenue to be brought in and there would be some gun businesses that would move elsewhere, but our regional economy is in great shape nonetheless. It's nothing to worry about.

Gun violence itself causes $2.3 billion in economic damage per year, so economically, there is a loss in revenue either way. When I take this issue on, I consider the social aspects of it much more, which should be the case.

I'm aware that you are not banning guns. I'm referring to your proposal that appears to eliminate the hunting industry.

[Donerail]

A friendly question for the Governor-elect from another region: what do you project will be the economic impact of banning what is, nationally, a $23 billion industry, from your region?

We're not flat-out going to ban guns. People can still legally purchase guns and own them as the Constitution states, just there are some additional regulations in this bill. The only side-effects are that this will cause less revenue to be brought in and there would be some gun businesses that would move elsewhere, but our regional economy is in great shape nonetheless. It's nothing to worry about.

Gun violence itself causes $2.3 billion in economic damage per year, so economically, there is a loss in revenue either way. When I take this issue on, I consider the social aspects of it much more, which should be the case.

I'm aware that you are not banning guns. I'm referring to your proposal that appears to eliminate the hunting industry.

What about trapping and archery?

I don't have numbers on the trapping industry, but spending on archery equipment for hunting is only around 19% of the size of spending on firearms. Regardless, given the Governor-elect's rhetoric ("How can we as a society justify ... the killing of our beautiful creatures") I'd be interested to see whether he continues to support the legality of trapping and archery.

[Donerail]

I grew up in a very conservative, Roman Catholic household and thankfully, I'm finished with private school. I'm currently attending a public university that doesn't force their beliefs on me. Does that mean my views will change? No guarantee on that. I take liberal stances on things like gay rights and women's reproductive rights which the church opposes, but I'm also a strong believer in God and that he created us with a purpose.

Wait, are you saying that you're a pro-choice creationist here?

[Donerail]

The crimes against graphic design in this thread merit impeachment.