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Is there a fallacy in the argument, "Guns don't kill people, people kill people"?

asked on Sunday, Aug 31, 2014 07:06:37 AM by

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Bo Bennett, PhD
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Perhaps a failure to elucidate. This is an incomplete argument that results in endless and pointless debates. What this needs is a "therefore," followed by a conclusion. For example, "Guns don't kill people, people kill people. Therefore, we should be focusing more on what makes people use guns violently and less on just banning the use of guns." This is very different from, "Guns don't kill people, people kill people. Therefore, anyone should be allowed to carry any kind of gun with no restrictions." Don't waste your time imagining the argument or point the other person is trying to make—ask for clarification.
answered on Sunday, Aug 31, 2014 07:09:06 AM by Bo Bennett, PhD

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