Yet another question about the guns forum

[pipoman]

I have been a DU member for some years. One of my interests is the issue of firearms rights. It seems lately there have been more and more OPs which simply involve the use of a gun in a news story. The posts I am speaking of only excerpt the article on a news site, and link to the story. There is no statement by the OP as to the relationship to the criteria set for posts in the guns forum, leaving little room for discussion beyond speculation of the OPs intentions in posting the article.

The context isn't my issue, just no statement of why the OP decided to post the thread. Here are 2 examples:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=118x406639

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=118x409410

A simple requirement for the OP to explain their position and why they feel the posted story relates to the mission of the guns forum would, maybe, help keep discussions a little more directed IMO.

"Discussion of gun-related public policy issues or the use of firearms for self-defense belong in the Guns Forum."

Maybe a change to something like:

Discussion of gun-related public policy issues or the use of firearms for self-defense belong in the Guns Forum. Posting of news stories must include a statement by the poster of how the news story illustrates a needed change to existing gun policy or how existing gun policy is effective"

Maybe this would be too hard to police. It just seems these posts always begin in snarky speculation and rarely result in any kind of reasonable discussion.

Thanks for all you do.

[Skinner]

1. I'm not sure this would really make much difference.

I think most people in that forum know where everyone stands, and knows why each article gets posted.