Jeremy Knox wrote:I believe in gun rights, but at the same time a lot of gun right supporters creep me out. They come off like paranoid lunatics who want the unquestioned permission by all to be armed to the teeth 24/7; and to hear them talk you'd think that they've never felt safe a day in their lives unless they were armed. This is where I part ways with them. Your first and foremost weapon is yourself. If you're afraid all the time (Or "wary" as they would say.), it doesn't matter how many guns you have, you'll be useless in a real fight.
Gun owners are no more afraid than you are, they are more prepared though. That's like saying that people who wear seat-belts are more scared to drive. You are also throwing most gun owners into one group. Believe me, there are all kinds of gun owners.
Jeremy Knox wrote:A gun is to personal defense what an SUV is to car crashes. It might help, but most times it makes no difference and in some rare situations it actually makes things a lot worse. It's more an illusion of safety than a reality.
No, it's no illusion. If you are train with your gun you are safer than someone who has no gun or training. Ask yourself this, if you woke up to the sound of someone breaking into your house would you feel safer with or without a gun? Again, the gun is like a seat-belt. If used properly, it can save your life.
Adam Asmus AKA Smus...unique I know wrote:But the only thing is (I know I know) its unconstituational.
What is unconstitutional? You also say it's merely a minor flaw.
Adam Asmus AKA Smus...unique I know wrote:Personally, I don't care. I like hunting a little, but then again, I live(d) in rural Minnesota, so no real worry about gang related violence.
Do you think you there were just as many guns per capita in rural Minnesota as there were in the city? It is probably about the same, yet one has more crime. I wonder why that is? This can't be the case if guns = crime.
Adam Asmus AKA Smus...unique I know wrote:It seems to me (and this is just my observation) is that the primary problem occurs in more urban settings (more people=more crime) so why couldn't individual areas pass ordinances baning guns from areas (like say, anywhere outside of a persons home). I know I'm kind of being a little hypocritical suggesting that, but that way it isn't consitunal to not own a gun, you just can't carry it, or something to that effect.
You say that more people = more crime and then you say that people should have to keep guns in there homes. This would not decrease the number of people and therefore, according to your logic, crime would stay the same.
Adam Asmus AKA Smus...unique I know wrote:IMO, this is one of those things that should be paid attention too, not becuase it is a big deal, but becuase it seems to me that its more of a principal thing.
It is both an issue of principles and basic human rights. The constitution is the set of principles that our whole nation was formed around. The founding fathers felt strongly about this issue, remember, they had just gone through a revolution. The right to self-defense is also a basic human right in my opinion. I do believe in some gun control, like stopping criminals from purchasing guns. I do think that every law abiding citizen should be able to own and carry a gun though. Can you tell me how that increases crime? Am I a bad or irresponsible person for carrying a loaded firearm?
Adam Asmus AKA Smus...unique I know wrote: Think about it, they encroach on your right to bear arms, the next thing you know their breaking up peace rallys and shutting down the presses. Granted its a strech, but its entirely possible.
It was also a stretch to believe that our government would allow the torture of prisoners and kill habeas corpus or launch a preemptive strike against a country that posed almost no threat to us. @!#$ happens and you never know. It really don't even matter if they take it any further, taking away the 2A would be an unforgivable offence. Unconstitutional restrictions are already imposed upon it.
Jeremy Knox wrote:This made me giggle
It made me giggle too, what a pathetic argument. The NRA might Believe that and it may or may not be true, but it doesn't matter. Most criminals aren't "heavily-armed". The shoot out in Hollywood was the exception. most criminals carry one pistol and attack a handful of people. This could easily be done with a large knife or sword. Or the criminal could simply run the victim over in a car. The gun didn't bring violence to the world, it's been here since the beginning of time. It has also been proven that criminals prey on the weak and defenseless. Who would you rather do up against, an unarmed man who have only his hands to defend himself or a well trained man armed with a knife and a gun? New york city is basically a "gun free zone", 'nuff said.
HERE is a link to the "Bull$h!t" episode about gun control. Not the best source for investigative journalism, but at least it's entertaining.
It's obvious that I feel differently than you. As a matter of fact I often carry a gun on my person. I do not do it because I am paranoid or feel more manly when carrying, I do it because I do realise that there is a small chance that I may be attacked. How is this precaution any different than wearing a seat-belt? I sincerely hope that you investigate this issue a little further and study both sides of the argument.
Taken from another post:
State - Violent crime per 100,000 in 2004
California: 552
Illinois: 543
Massachusetts: 458
New Jersey: 356
New York: 441
District of Columbia: 1,371
not much gun control:
Alaska: 635 open carry w/o a permit.
Oregon: 298 Can carry in schools!
Vermont 112 No gun control laws!
Virgina: 276 carry w/o a permit.
Montana: 294 Open carry w/o a permit.
South Dakota: 171.5 Open carry w/o a permit.
Out of these states here is the breakdown of violent crime per capita from most to least:
1.GC DC
2.GR AK
3.GC CA
4.GC IL
5.GC MA
6.GC NY
7.GC NJ
8.GR OR
9.GR MO
10.GR VA
11. GR SD
12.GR VT
GC= Gun Control GR= Gun Rights
Obviously gun control laws do not work. If you had a gun would you commit a crime just because you have it? If you were going to go kill someone would you worry about gun laws? Nope. It comes down to the people not the guns! If guns kill then spoons eat.
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-There is no such thing as objective journalism, there never was.
-The government is best which governs least.
-The forefathers were not necessarily right.
-Religion breeds self-righteousness.
-Ignoring problems rarely fixes them.
-All men are CREATED equal.
-We DO legislate morality.
-Justice does not exist.
-Rely only on yourself.
-Legalize marijuana.
-Gun control kills!