that isn't the question at all. the question is do you think people have the right to self defense. Bottom line end of story.
I am just way too lazy tonight to really flesh this out properly. I will say this. We have, in this country, a societal problem with violence and violent crime that doesn't appear to exist in other countries. I do not know why this is. So long as these problems persist, responsible, law abiding people will need the ability to protect themselves. That being said, I do not carry. It scares the hell out of me to be possibly in the position that I would need to use my gun to protect myself. I also fear that one day, I will regret that decision.
Kennesaw, Georgia has lower crime rates than surrounding towns and cities. It has a law requiring heads of household to maintain a firearm and ammunition. Guns do not cause crime. Japan restricted guns to the police and it led to an increase in stabbings. When Australia banned guns, crime rates increased. Washington's ban on handguns did not have a significant effect on crime when compared to Baltimore, which had no such ban and was similar in other respects such as demographics, drug crime, etc. Both Israel and Switzerland have high gun ownership and low crime rates. I just don't see the evidence to prove that banning guns would be so helpful that we should disregard/overturn the second amendment.
I don't think that's the question. You do have a right to self-defense. The debate is whether you should be able to defend yourself with a gun. I think the question of the impact it will have on the volume and severity of crimes and accidents is relevant and a better approach than just standing on your rights.
I know this is a little "out there," but if we take the guns away from the populace, it leaves only the military apparatus armed and capable of exerting force in this country. While that seems "appropriate" I'm not prepared to say the time will never come where the citizenry will need to resort to armed defense against either a foreign attacker (say drug cartels from Mexico) or an oppressive regime. I don't personally LIKE the idea of gun ownership, but I like the idea of government monopolizing force even less.
Okay, but did murders go up or down? You wouldn't expect it to because of the porous border between DC and Baltimore. Illegal guns could easily enter DC. If all guns were banned in the US, it'd be much harder to get possession of even an illegal gun. They also both have compulsory military service where everyone is trained in the use of firearms. Some gun advocates in this thread idealize an America where everyone has a gun and is trained and responsible. If you gave everyone in this country a gun, most of them will either be ill-trained or irresponsible. If we never had gun rights, I think we could have had a relatively gun-free culture. But, with our history, I think to ban firearms now would create a huge gun blackmarket. We're kinda stuck.
I hope no one who argues for eliminating handguns also argues for legalizing drugs using the "it being illegal empowers criminal dealers!" argument.
How am I supposed to defend myself from a guy with a gun? Or defend myself from 2 or 3 guys? That is like saying you have the right to go anywhere you want to but cannot use any type non-human powered transportation.
if i really wanted to be snooty, i'd inform you that you don't have a RIGHT to use non-human powered transportation.
So. . . just to clarify something for me . .. when you get a CHL . . . you have the right to have it loaded at all times? Rocket River
All times meaning what? There are several restrictions about where you can carry the handgun. But with the way you worded the question the answer would be yes you can legally have it loaded where it is legal to carry it in the first place.
What you posted doesn't contradict the previous point. There was an unmarked police car that pulled up to witness the Horn shooting the two burglars. The officer didn't intervene since he feared Horn would shoot him. For that matter Horn had been informed repeatedly by the 911 operator that the police were on the way and to stay inside.
Let's see, would you take multiple gun shot wounds to stop someone from robbing BK of a $100? I wouldn't.
if you read what I posted you would have seen that he pulled up to late as Joe Horn was already confronting them.
Don't want to start a new thread over it. But I'm curious. Do criminals have just as much access to guns in countries that outlaw them, as they do in places like the US? I can't imagine that being the case, but it seems that's the focal point of any defense for those who don't want guns illegal.
