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Guns
Jan 2, 2006 5:23:27 GMT -5
Post by iroseiroared3 on Jan 2, 2006 5:23:27 GMT -5
I think guns shouldn't exist, period. Or, maybe they should just be considered illegal. Then that would be one less destructive thing used in war; people wouldn't have such an easy way to kill someone or hurt them severely this way, especially if it's just over a silly fight; and, you wouldn't have to use a gun to defend yourself against one because there wouldn't be any! Of course, then I know you get into other weapons people will make.. maybe people would start throwing bombs into their neighbors' houses.. knives.. even bows and arrows.. and how about the hunters. So, I just made my own argument with myself. So what do you guys think?
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Guns
Jan 2, 2006 8:52:06 GMT -5
Post by Tal on Jan 2, 2006 8:52:06 GMT -5
There are several valid argument for certain people carrying licensed firearms (after receving training). These are:
- Hunting (ideally for food, not sport) - Protection in the wild against natural predators - Protection against potential Human aggressors in regions were law enforcement is minimal or non-existant (e.g. against pirates, terrorist groups etc etc) - Special security circumstances (e.g. armed police units, secret service officers, armed forces)
I certainly don't think guns should be in people's homes, nor an everyday part of society or culture. Guns do make killing easy, they promote violence amongst certain people, they stereotype a nation, they harm poor urban areas, infesting them with violent crime...etc etc etc
Obviously some countries/populations cope better with guns than others...you can't put all the blame on the tool, but nor are they harmless as some ignorant people seem to think.
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Guns
Jan 2, 2006 9:17:46 GMT -5
Post by Samantha on Jan 2, 2006 9:17:46 GMT -5
I find it funny how some countries can't afford to feed their population with a bag of grain, yet can arm their children with assault rifles.
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Guns
Jan 2, 2006 11:01:54 GMT -5
Post by Paulinus on Jan 2, 2006 11:01:54 GMT -5
I agree with tals post.
I've often heard the line "guns dont kill people, people kill people" to that I simply say guns make it a hell of a lot easiar for people to do that.
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Guns
Jan 2, 2006 11:44:15 GMT -5
Post by Bodhi on Jan 2, 2006 11:44:15 GMT -5
I agree with tals post. I've often heard the line "guns dont kill people, people kill people" to that I simply say guns make it a hell of a lot easiar for people to do that. I agree too. I sometimes hear that arguement that if criminals didn't have guns they would use other weapons. But I've never heard of a drive-by knifing. So guns make criminals far more dangerous than the other weapons that are available. I think guns should be very severely limited in society for civilians. Probally only hunters should be able to use them. And then hand guns should be banned, since most people don't hunt with hand guns. I know someone will bring up the 2nd amendment and say that guarantees our use of guns. But it only says the right of the people to keep and bear arms, not fire arms. And it also puts that in the context of a 'well-regulated' militia. So I don't think that means any person can have any type of gun they want at any time, which the NRA seems to believe.
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Guns
Jan 2, 2006 12:37:37 GMT -5
Post by shytothebone on Jan 2, 2006 12:37:37 GMT -5
All of you are forgetting one thing. The criminal element is always going to find a way to obtain a gun and if it becomes illegal to have one people wont be able to defend themselves.
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Guns
Jan 2, 2006 13:01:38 GMT -5
Post by Tal on Jan 2, 2006 13:01:38 GMT -5
All of you are forgetting one thing. The criminal element is always going to find a way to obtain a gun and if it becomes illegal to have one people wont be able to defend themselves. If that was true, then surely gun crime would be much higher in all countries around the world. Suffice to say, it's not, especially in those countries a) were guns are banned and/or b) the population is generally more peaceful. Criminals have little incentive to get hold of hand guns when they can rest assured they won't come up against police or ordinary citizens also carrying guns. Yes, violent crime, especilly knife crime is still a problem, but it's considerably less dangerous than if those same people had guns.
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Guns
Jan 3, 2006 0:07:27 GMT -5
Post by wagnerr on Jan 3, 2006 0:07:27 GMT -5
I also don't think nukes should exist, yet they do. Why don't we all go out and throw away our nukes? ;D Seriously, i'm all for gun control. But i also like to go on hunting trips too, and also practicing my marksmanship at the rifle range near my house. So i'm not for guns being phased out of existance. The guns that should be phased out of existance; automatic rifles and handguns. These kill people more than anything. What i think should be the issue here is prohibiting stupid people from owning weapons. To this end, i advocate smart gun control!!! Happens all the time. They just have to stop and get out of the car to stab someone to death. Anyway, don't blame man's capacity for violence on cold, steel obejcts with moving parts and explosive concussion caps. Gun control is fine, but i don't think taking guns away from people will solve anything in the long run. People killed each other before in the past. If they had no guns, then they just wound up beating the hell out of each other with blunt and sharp objects.
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Guns
Jan 3, 2006 2:18:32 GMT -5
Post by airburst on Jan 3, 2006 2:18:32 GMT -5
I'm not going to do much arguing here, because I don't think I'm intelligent enough to do it. I'm just going to state that I am vehemently against gun control, because it inhibits people's ability to defend themselves from criminals and anyone else who wishes to do harm to their lives or property.
And a question to people who are pro gun-control, have you ever fired a gun?
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Guns
Jan 3, 2006 7:12:08 GMT -5
Post by Tal on Jan 3, 2006 7:12:08 GMT -5
And a question to people who are pro gun-control, have you ever fired a gun? Nope...Never even held one. I'd have no reason to.
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Guns
Jan 3, 2006 11:11:17 GMT -5
Post by Bodhi on Jan 3, 2006 11:11:17 GMT -5
I'm not going to do much arguing here, because I don't think I'm intelligent enough to do it. I'm just going to state that I am vehemently against gun control, because it inhibits people's ability to defend themselves from criminals and anyone else who wishes to do harm to their lives or property. And a question to people who are pro gun-control, have you ever fired a gun? I've never fired a gun, but I would in a controled situation if I had the chance I think. But what are you saying, that once you get that shiny, metal piece of pure killing power in your hands, you're never going to want to get rid of guns again. That its power is too alluring. ;D And to your point about not being able to defend yourself against criminals. That arguement I think is weak, since we have the police to defend ourselves against criminals. We're not living in a state of anarchy where you need to carry a gun wherever you go at the risk a criminal will pop out of the shadows and try to kill you. I'm 24 and have never carried a gun, and have never been in a situation where it would have protected me, most people aren't. And anyway, say your walking down the street and a criminal comes and tries to rob you. In my opinion its much safer to just give the criminal your money, than try to pull your gun on him and potentially start a gun fight which could kill both of you. Also how many times have you heard stories of people who have guns in the house and they end up killing their family members by accident because of the guns. If I had kids I would never want a gun in the house, even if its locked up, I know kids are smart and will usually find a way to get to the gun anyway. And how could you live with yourself if your child got to your gun and shot himself by accident. Its just an unneccesary thing to have around.
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Guns
Jan 3, 2006 16:30:57 GMT -5
Post by pansy on Jan 3, 2006 16:30:57 GMT -5
on a really bad day, it's my fondest wish to own an uzi.
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Deleted Member
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Guns
Jan 3, 2006 18:33:28 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2006 18:33:28 GMT -5
I think the "Right to bear arms" is good. The main reason it was created I think was that if the government turned on its people,, the people would have a way to defend themselves.
Just for that reason alone is good to have guns. Some might argue that the government has more technology but look what the insugents are doing in Iraq,,causing a effect.
Don't trust government with everything in your life,, when it all comes down to it,,your the only one in controlof that.
Personally I don't have a gun,,have fired a few in my time, and may get one if I get married and have kids. I'll teach them safe gun handling. Many accidents of kids getting shot at home are from poor teaching,, parents hide the gun and pound it in the kids head never to touch it,, but as kids are always curious they will. So show them what its all about,,,kinda like when they burn their hand on a pot for the first time,,, after that they know.
Gun control should be limited to criminal history, if they have a long list then no don't give them a gun. But normal people should have the choice. Yeah sometimes people go wacky and shoot up the place,,, but they would go wacky anyhow if they had no gun,, and just use something else.
Would also like to add,,, I like what Chris Rock said about gun control...... Something like they should make bullets $1,000 a piece,,, then there be less killing,,cause you'd really really know if you'd want to shoot someone.
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Guns
Jan 3, 2006 19:03:51 GMT -5
Post by airburst on Jan 3, 2006 19:03:51 GMT -5
But what are you saying, that once you get that shiny, metal piece of pure killing power in your hands, you're never going to want to get rid of guns again. That its power is too alluring. ;D I asked this question because a guy on a gun forum said that everytime he met a person who was anti-gun he offered to take them shooting. He said that all, but one time the person at the least reconsidered their position on gun control. And to your point about not being able to defend yourself against criminals. That arguement I think is weak, since we have the police to defend ourselves against criminals. What if somebody breaks into my home, would the police be able to protect me then? I'm 24 and have never carried a gun, and have never been in a situation where it would have protected me, most people aren't. Neither have I, but I've never been in a situation where I needed my smoke alarms or my fire extinguisher. Just because I haven't needed a tool yet doesn't mean it's unnecessary for me to have it. And anyway, say your walking down the street and a criminal comes and tries to rob you. In my opinion its much safer to just give the criminal your money, than try to pull your gun on him and potentially start a gun fight which could kill both of you. I somewhat agree with you here, but if I were mugged repeatedly I would start choosing the latter. Also how many times have you heard stories of people who have guns in the house and they end up killing their family members by accident because of the guns. If I had kids I would never want a gun in the house, even if its locked up, I know kids are smart and will usually find a way to get to the gun anyway. And how could you live with yourself if your child got to your gun and shot himself by accident. Its just an unneccesary thing to have around. I don't have any numbers regarding accidental deaths involving family members, but I know many people who have kids and own guns and they have not had a single death because of a gun. I know there are some other Libertarians on this board, so hopefully they'll chime in and back me up on this.
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Guns
Jan 3, 2006 19:11:26 GMT -5
Post by HybridMoment on Jan 3, 2006 19:11:26 GMT -5
Just because some people can't handle guns doesn't mean that they should be illegal for everyone.
Where I live hunting is common; in school students were even offered to take a course in PE on firearms and archery. Passing the safety test was mandatory; and like myself, most kids knew about gun safety before because our parents taught us how to shoot.
Keeping kids (and criminals that may try to steal your weapons) away from guns is as simple as locking them up in a gun cabinet and keeping the key with you. Though if you think your kids might disobey you, it would be a valid reason for not having guns in your own house. I actually don't think this is much of a problem around here where people have always had guns in their homes.
[The only shooting accident I have ever heard of happening around here was as far back as when my dad was in high school (1960). Students were allowed to take guns to school in their shop class and a student accidentally fired through the wall of the shop into the principal's office. It did not kill or injure anyone and the student was punished with a paddling.]
I mostly shoot to kill rattlesnakes so they don't strike at my pets or me. My cat was struck by a rattlesnake once, and actually survived. Another time the same cat was about to get struck and my dad shot the snake's head off as it was getting ready for a venomous bite.
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