As you know, on Sunday morning’s Philosophy in Action Radio, I answer four questions chosen in advance from the Question Queue. Here are the most recent additions to that queue. Please vote for the ones that you’re most interested in hearing me answer! You can also review and vote on all pending questions sorted by date or sorted by popularity.

Also, I’m perfectly willing to be bribed to answer a question of particular interest to you pronto. So if you’re a regular contributor to Philosophy in Action’s Tip Jar, I can answer your desired question as soon as possible. The question must already be in the queue, so if you’ve not done so already, please submit it. Then just e-mail me at [email protected] to make your request.

Now, without further ado, the most recent questions added to The Queue:

Are semi-automatic handguns more dangerous than revolvers?

In the wake of the Sandy Hook school shooting, many of my friends claim that semi-automatic firearms should be banned. They think that people should only be permitted to own revolvers. What are the differences between these two kinds of handguns? Do those differences matter to public policy debates about gun rights and gun control?

Can a person like other people but not want to be around them due to too much empathy?

I enjoy people when I am around them, but at the same time I don’t want to be around them. I prefer to be alone because around people I feel overly empathetic. As long as the experience with them is happy, I’m good. But anything bad for them feels bad to me too. So I avoid interaction. I’m not mad at anyone. I love everyone to the point it actually hurts me emotionally and sometimes monetarily. Should I do something other than avoid people?

Are the police putting ordinary people at risk by militaristic tactics?

Recently, a man was shot and killed when a tactical unit of the Memphis police served a warrant for animal cruelty after dark. (The man was suspected of being an animal hoarder.) Was that approach necessary? Are the police endangering people’s lives by using such militaristic tactics on people not likely to be violent?Relevant Links:http://www.wmctv.com/story/20568356/mpd-officerhttp://www.wmctv.com/story/20573176/28-animals-rescued-from-animal-hoarderhttp://yesbiscuit.wordpress.com/2013/01/12/memphis-pound-requests-special-ops-unit-to-serve-cruelty-warrant/

Should a person injured by a stolen gun be permitted to sue the original owner thereof for damages?

Imagine that a person’s firearm is stolen, then used in a crime to injure an innocent person. Can the crime victim sue the owner of the gun for damages? Would it matter if the gun was left in plain sight or not locked away? Would it matter if the gun was stolen months or years before the crime? Also, what if the gun owner lent his gun to another person who he reasonably thought was honest and law-abiding?

To submit a question, use this form. I prefer questions focused on some concrete real-life problem, as opposed to merely theoretical or political questions. I review and edit all questions before they’re posted. (Alas, IdeaInformer doesn’t display any kind of confirmation page when you submit a question.)

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