This is why the argument that the second amendment protects us from tyrannical government is ridiculous. They have weapons that can put 500 30mm grenades in your head before you hear the first shot, from miles away.

To be fair, that assumes that elements of the military or guard do not also join the rebellion. Additionally, guerrilla forces can at least make it too costly for a military to continue, e.g. Vietnam and Afghanistan.

As long as the public has access to rifles that are at least close to the level the basic infantryman has, there is a chance (albeit a small one) that the people could resist a government that turned it's back on the Constitution.

True, but the argument itself suggests the rogue government would have a military we need to protect ourselves from with said rifles.

The public might have access to nearly equivalent rifles, but not the funds to buy those in great numbers. How many people do you know with a .50 caliber and the skills to use it?
Then there's all the weaponry you can't have. Grenades. Mortars. Armored armed vehicles. Drones. Navy guns. Missiles. I R scanning and other optical tech. Training. There's a lot more to the military than rifles.

With high tech warfare, guerrilla tactics should be far less effective than Vietnam, and Americans don't seem up to suicide bombing as a main tactic. It could sting them, but I don't think it could last like Red Dawn.

Once again, I'm pro gun, I have guns, I just think it's ludicrous to think they could fight the military. I'd be lucky to get a second shot off.

Yet we are still at war in Afghanistan and policing other middle eastern countries. Sometimes all it takes is a few people with the will to not submit.

I know I would not live long in such a fight, I'm too old and I am disabled. But as long as we have the right to own semi automatic rifles with high capacity clips, we still can pay lip service to an armed public that can dismantle a tyrannical government. Take that away and you basically remove even the slightest chance that we as a people can challenge the government.

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Except, this time the armed public seems to be joining the tyrannical government as it turns away from the constitution.

So now any 17 year old with patriot fantasies and enough allowance money to buy a weapon becomes a constitutional scholar who can decide what's best for the country? I'd rather rely on our constitutional checks and balances. Even though current events are revealing flaws that can be exploited by a determined political faction, it's better than an angry, propagandized, armed mob.

Damn! I wish I'd said that.

Yeah, I hate to "me too", me too!

Is anyone puzzled that a weapons system that is supposed to be able to hit a just-under-super-sonic missile warhead taking evasive action---would miss a boat bouncing around at no more than 50 mph? and does it make anyone curious about how well those systems would work against an actual missile? or missile saturation attack?

Because this is not a phalanx, which has a cyclic rate of up to 4500 rounds per minute with up to 5500 meter range firing 20×102 mm made to intercept missiles and jets, it's a mark 38 with a cyclic rate of 180 rounds per minute with a 2700 meter range and apparently modded to fire 30mm rounds made for ship self-defense to counter High Speed Maneuvering Surface Targets (HSMST).

Oh! really helpful answer---my next question: why does that guidance system and ballistics computer seem to have issues putting almost all the rounds on the target?

Or does that seem normal to you?

I've wondered the same thing, I'm guessing because the guidance system is new? It looks like it's only on the newer version 2. I've seen this spread before when they shoot at small boats, so I don't know if it's error or intentional, it might be trying to hit 2' below the water line but the tracer rounds just bounce on water while real 30mm rounds don't? Maybe it's practice to warn off approaching ships without hitting them?

Side note, there actually was a phalanx in the video shooting, but the much slower shots at the boat were the mark 38.

I thought I saw a Phalanx! Lethal R2-D2 for the win!
lol

So, I did a little reading; the Mark 38 has been through several upgrades---from the original 25 mm Bushmaster mount with no weather protection (on a naval ship? really?)---to the streamlined "big brother" mount we see now and 30 mm shells (sudden thought; is there ammunition interchangeability with the A-10's gun and if not; why not? lol)

There is, in fact, a deliberate "off-set" mode now introduced for firing warning shots---I guess you designate the target and set "off-set" so that you put shots across the bow/spray them with water? To avoid macerating a mere obvious idiot as opposed to someone who actually means you harm? Although there's no way to tell if that's what's going on here for sure...

Lot of worry about a 17 year old trying to fend off looters and arsonists. And seemingly no worry about the looters and arsonists. Strange times we live in.

-scheherazade

You think that's maybe because it's the 17 year old who murdered two people and injured one shooting into a crowd?

Could it be because protesters are fighting for racial equality and an end to police murdering unarmed citizens because they're afraid of black people, and the militias are fighting against that and for the preservation of monuments to racism and racial superiority?

You think it might be because Trump and his cult are condoning and encouraging his vigilante murders as a one boy posse, jury, and executioner, but authorities have universally condemned rioting and arson?

You think it might be because Trump believers have been itching for an excuse to shoot some liberals for years, they haven't been quiet about it either, and it's clear they see the crumbling law and order under Trump as their chance to spark a culture/race/civil war, and are targeting antiracism protesters openly now, repeatedly and nation wide?

What do you think is the reason?

I think "strange times" are just about 17 years old when the testosterone kicks in.

Looters and arsonists and wannabe super heroes are naturally attracted to each other. It's an invitation. It's in the game. It's their party.

A good person or idea cannot go unnoticed for long. In the end, "Cream rises to the top."

Not really Strange Times. Same as it ever was.

Correct.

I am more worried about murder than property damage.

Do you wish to represent the opposing viewpoint?