Let's hear it for the 2nd amendment!!!

Yes indeed. Hooray for the right to bear arms. It certainly is exciting to read about how peoples lives are saved. Especially when people take the time to learn how to handle guns. I'm so glad we can keep firearms in our homes to defend against attackers.

Or maybe my response should have read something along these lines...

Well, I try to remain relative dispassionate about the topic. And to look at overall data, not just single anecdotes. You know, studies that look at the big picture. But I am sure that you are going to be exception that is more likely to use firearms defensively rather than end up in a fatal or nonfatal accidental shooting, criminal assault, or suicide attempt. 

Indeed, clever.  The only problem with it is that if we give up the right to defend ourselves the only people with guns will be those who use them to attack us. Surely, at this point, with tens of millions of guns in our country, you don't think you can stop bad people from having them do you? I wish it wasn't this way.  And I'd be on your side if we weren't so far down the road, but the reality is we can't stop them from obtaining guns at this point.  That being said, protecting ourselves is all we have left.  You certainly don't have to.  If you ever find yourself staring down some lunatic with a gun who means to do you or yours harm, and I'm there......you're good, I got it.  I will have not a single problem shooting him/her/them.  I won't even need a rest day when it's over.

As one who has carried a gun for over 25 years, both professionally and privately, and been on both ends of a gun in use, I can safely say I will be the exception to whatever anecdote you can throw up....and I am FAR from alone.

Again.....I don't blame you for not carrying a gun, it's a tremendous responsibility that some people are not suited for.  I get it.  Besides, it's not really any fun carrying around that brick all day.  But I didn't have a hand in the road this country went down with firearms....so I'll just play by the rules and make sure I'm capable of defending myself and my family.

It may surprise you to learn I am not anti-gun; nor do I have an issue with people carrying. One of my oldest friends pretty much is always packing, and I enjoy his large collection of weaponry on occasion. 

But - I am get a bit disturbed when people cheer on the shooting of another human. The willingness to engage in and joy at the willful infliction of harm on others is the exact mindset of the criminal. I would hope if I were in the position that I had to harm another human for safety purposes, that I would not take pleasure in it. 

Well stated Lefty.  Gun control is always a hot topic.  Maybe tomorrow we can cover abortion or capital punishment or socialized medicine.  I may not agree with what gearboy says, but I will fight to the death his right to say it.

Gearboy.......No, from your posts here it does not surprise me at all that you are not anti-gun.  My wife shares many, if not all, of your political views but is also not anti-gun.  And yeah, I agree that taking a life is not to be taken lightly, nor celebrated.  Still.......I enjoy a triumph of good over evil.  

Make no mistake, bad people will ALWAYS have access to guns in this country, and be willing to use them.  When a good, law abiding citizen kills one of them, I don't mourn.  I just don't.  And yeah, I will even laugh, because I don't care if predators are killed.  Again, I just don't....they have killed my friends....good people with good families.

Your job is to try and help those who prey on others.....mine is to stop them when your way doesn't work.  I wish your's worked more. Truly.

We're not that far apart.......but I won't need your couch when they get killed.

It may surprise you to know I'm not a doom and gloom kind of person.  I've got enough water stockpiled to last us about 7 minutes.  We can't stockpile food because we have three teenagers at home and they'd eat all of it for no other reason besides they can.

I just won't be a victim to these idiots, and I won't allow my family to be victimized either.  I just won't.  If you try to seriously hurt me or anyone in my family, I'll kill you if I have a chance to. Just  leave us alone to enjoy our lives.

I love my guns and stand by the right to arm bears.

This passive-aggressive post brought to you by the committee to reelect Obama.

If guns were illegal you'd see stabbings.  If knives were illegals you'd see rock bashings.  It's not the instrument, it's the ethics and morals of the society.

So as long as the bad guys (and the government) have guns I'm going to have them as well.

The second amendment: A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

It is not about defending you home or saving lives it is about regulating the militia.

Correct. The 2nd Amendment is not about self defense from criminals, but the ability of the people to defend themselves by military means from a despotic government.

I love the argument that the solution to too many guns is . . . more guns.

I'll go tell Iran they can have their nuke now.

Precisely what I was going to say.  There will always be scumbags who are intent on doing harm and bad things.  The best we can hope for is that good law abiding citizens are capable of defending themselves from these scum bags.  To do so we must be able to defend ourselves in the most effective and efficient manner.  If the firearm was never invented the worst a scumbag could do is use a knife... that being the case I'd carry one of those.  But firearms are the flavor of the day.  So be it. 

bradword - 2012-07-19 12:07 PM

TriRSquared - 2012-07-19 6:27 AM

gearboy - 2012-07-19 12:08 AM

Yes indeed. Hooray for the right to bear arms. It certainly is exciting to read about how peoples lives are saved. Especially when people take the time to learn how to handle guns. I'm so glad we can keep firearms in our homes to defend against attackers.

This passive-aggressive post brought to you by the committee to reelect Obama.

If guns were illegal you'd see stabbings.  If knives were illegals you'd see rock bashings.  It's not the instrument, it's the ethics and morals of the society.

So as long as the bad guys (and the government) have guns I'm going to have them as well.

I disagree, if guns were completely illegal we would still see shootings .

Yeah, my city is doing really well with the gun ban.  We have had more people shot to death in the last 6 months than US soldiers killed.  Not to mention that on an average weekend we have anywhere from 35-50 shootings, even though there are not supposed to be any guns within the city.  Don't know what the answer is, but the gun ban in Chicago doesn't seem to be working.  

mattb1 - 2012-07-19 1:17 PM

bradword - 2012-07-19 12:07 PM

TriRSquared - 2012-07-19 6:27 AM

gearboy - 2012-07-19 12:08 AM

Yes indeed. Hooray for the right to bear arms. It certainly is exciting to read about how peoples lives are saved. Especially when people take the time to learn how to handle guns. I'm so glad we can keep firearms in our homes to defend against attackers.

This passive-aggressive post brought to you by the committee to reelect Obama.

If guns were illegal you'd see stabbings.  If knives were illegals you'd see rock bashings.  It's not the instrument, it's the ethics and morals of the society.

So as long as the bad guys (and the government) have guns I'm going to have them as well.

I disagree, if guns were completely illegal we would still see shootings .

 

Yeah, my city is doing really well with the gun ban.  We have had more people shot to death in the last 6 months than US soldiers killed.  Not to mention that on an average weekend we have anywhere from 35-50 shootings, even though there are not supposed to be any guns within the city.  Don't know what the answer is, but the gun ban in Chicago any city that has one doesn't seem to be working.  

Fixed that for ya.