Mars or Alderaan?

While we have been discussing the 2nd Amendment here at ATK, the Curisoity rover has been blasting away on Mars with a gun - of sorts - of its own.

As you will see below, Curiosity has been zapping holes into rocks with a laser to examine their make-up.  See the before and after below.

So I wonder if the 2nd Amendment applies on Mars.  Does the 2nd Amendment apply to laser weapons?  If there are Martians there, could Curiosity defend itself?

Read more here.

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Faculty in Colorado Told to Allow Concealed Carry

In many states, college campuses are still a no-go for lawful carry. Michigan makes in unlawful to carry in a college classroom or dormitory. Most campuses ban carry for students and employees. There are some states, such as Utah, that allow it. Well, now Colorado joins them. The Supreme Court of Colorado said that campuses can't prohibit concealed carry. Despite this, some professors said they would cancel class if some permit holder had a concealed gun. The chancellor responded by telling them they could not do this. Personally, I have no problem with university carry. In Michigan, most college students are under 21, so the majority of students would not be able to carry anyway.

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Gun Laws in Wake of the Colorado Shooting

I didn't mean to hijack the previous post and turn it into a gun debate, so I thought I would start another discussion for just that purpose. I keep hearing how we, as in the US, can't have a discussion on this topic for whatever reason. I am skeptical of people making this claim. If I had to guess, most of them are saying this because they just don't want to hear from the "other side." Like any other political/social issue, this one can get heated. I figure that the readers we have are rational and reasonable people, so why don't we have a discussion? What changes do you think are needed?

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States and Munis Can Ban Guns, But the Feds Can't!

I know that we have had lengthy and interesting debates on gun rights in the past, so I will add a new wrinkle to the discussion...

Yesterday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (Chicago) ruled unanimously that the U.S. Supreme Court decision last year which recognized an individual right to bear arms under the U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment didn’t apply to states and municipalities. It only applied to the federal government, which is why D.C. couldn't ban guns (they are a national territory and not a state). The decision yesterday was National Rifle Association of America v. City of Chicago, and it upheld a Chicago ordinance banning handguns and automatic weapons within city limits.

Here is the link to the article...

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=awIn1M4tWxi8&refer=worldwide

I think this is good news. I am sure Steves and others will disagree. I invite you to read the article and provide your thoughts. I will concede, though, that this is not close to over and I am sure the Supremes will want to weigh in to this one!

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