Gun rights - for or against?

How are we going to go about 'banning' people, praytell? Thank God Dylan Roof only used a handgun. If had used a semiautomatic or automatic weapon, he may have killed far more than 9. The Orlando shooter used a semiautomatic rifle and killed 49 in the nightclub.

NO ONE should be killed by a terrorist, and it is terrible that Dylan Roof killed nine. If he used a semiautomatic, he probably would have killed way more than 9 people.

He did use a semi-automatic. Glock 41 chambered in .45 acp

Hahahaha. You know I never saw it as looking Greek before. Now that you put it that way, I'd argue it looks more Latin. Makes me think of the Papacy.

But you're right. It's a make and model of a firearm.

On the matter of guns in pews.

Carrying anywhere and everywhere is not unlike buying insurance. When you make your monthly payment to Allstate, State Farm, Nationwide, etc, do you think of all the terrible and gruesome things that could happen to you in your vehicle?

No. It's a payment. But a wise payment to make. Just in case.

Likewise, a gun on one's hip is a wise precaution. When I rack the slide, slip it in my holster, and tuck in my waistband, I do not contemplate all the gruesome things that could happen. I do not close my eyes and picture a dude looking to shoot up a Church in Colorado or some freakshow trying to kill off my colleagues at baseball practice.

Nope, it's just a couple of pounds on my hip at the ready. So easy to bring that there is no reason not to when I apply a little CBA.

I've never been part of a church where no one carried. That's just my experience, but it's worth noting.
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I grew up with guns. They are a ton of fun and can be a great hobby. As a Christian, I choose to not carry because I feel it does not fit with who we are called to be. That does not mean I don't think there are situations where guns are a good choice. I will have a family one day and I will protect that family by whatever means necessary including guns.

Let me also say that I don't think people in other countries can take their unique experience and place it on top of ours. In the same way I wouldn't bolt on modern American feminism to say politics in Qatar, I don't think it's fair to say that the laws that have worked for others will work for us. Many people don't understand what the size of the country and the lack of geographic and cultural homogeny does to the populace and social structure of the country. For instance, the entire UK is just over half the size of California and is just starting to approach the sort of demographic spread represented in the US. Though it's still a full 15 percentage points more homogeneous and doesn't (at this point) share the unique characteristics of US demographics.

I would not trust myself with a loaded gun. I guess I have more of a fear of accidental shootings than I do of being shot by a crazed gunman. I suppose it depends on what a person is more frightened of- accidental shootings, or crazed gunmen.

The Capitol City policemen were at the ball practice and did a good job protecting the people there.

G,
Do you know about the sale of illegal arms?

Those who want to do harm know where to get things: drugs, guns, etc.
it's us po' lawful type folk who don't.

Before selling ANY gun to a person, a background check is supposed to be done by the dealer.
But there are privacy laws in effect. For instance, if someone is seeing a psychiatrist for bi-polar disorder, for instance, it is not to be shared with the FBI or any other Law inforecement agency until the person commits a crime. TOO LATE!

I also don't understand why a normal Citizen should have an assault weapon.
This is a different story altogether.

I do believe that anyone that wants a gun, should be able to have one.
Guns don't kill people, people kill people.

With all due respect, you really ought to just go to a range and try a few firearms with a trusted friend. Maybe take a cheap course so you can learn how they work, how they don't work, how they are dismantled, etc.

You may or may not come away with a different opinion on public policy, but I can almost guarantee you wouldn't be afraid of the tools (and they are tools) themselves.

Ted Nugent was a draft dodger, very unamerican.
You should read his story on that.

Has that prophesy been fulfilled?
If it has, then there is no longer any need for the 2 swords.

Thanks, I'm not conversant with guns. So if he had not used a semiautomatic, maybe 9 people would not be dead today.

FACTS TO PONDER:

(A) The number of physicians in the U.S. is 700,000
(B) Accidental deaths caused by Physicians per year are 120,000
(C) Accidental deaths per physician is 0.171.
Statistics courtesy of U.S. Dept of Health Human Services.

Now think about this:
Guns:
(A) The number of gun owners in the U.S. is 80,000,000.
(B) The number of accidental gun deaths per year, all age groups, is 1,500.
(C) The number of accidental deaths per gun owner is .000188
Statistics courtesy of the FBI

So, statistically, doctors are approximately 9,000 times more dangerous than gun owners.

Remember, 'Guns don't kill people, doctors do.'

FACT: NOT EVERYONE HAS A GUN, BUT ALMOST EVERYONE HAS AT LEAST ONE DOCTOR.

Please alert your friends to this alarming threat. We must ban doctors before this gets completely out of hand!!!!!

Out of concern for the public at large, We have withheld the statistics on
Lawyers for fear the shock would cause people to panic and seek
medical attention!

I won't reprint the whole article from EarnestQ, but I thought it was an EXCELLENT explanation of people who exercise their right to carry.

VERY well put.

reference post 145

Or, break all their fingers... (NOW go steal something, twit...)

Well, I don't think I would feel any better about them. My mother dropped a loaded pistol in our house, it went off, grazed her toe and went through the dining room wall into the living room wall. Fortunately, on the other side of the wall was one of my bookshelves and the bullet hit the A encyclopedia which then flew off the shelf. My grandmother was in the path of that bullet. I can not forget something like that, I know there are responsible people with guns, but there are also many irresponsible people with guns. I would be scared to death I would accidentally shoot someone. It is not a responsibility that I want.

That is okay. Perhaps they are not for you. But please do not judge too quickly those of us who grew up with guns, have target-practiced and hunted with guns, are not afraid of guns, are confident in knowing how to handle guns with out shooting anyone, etc.

The one thing you have going for you, however -- you seem to have a very healthy respect for guns and what they can do if not handled properly. If you ever get [ completely ] past the fear-factor, you will probably do fine with them. Why? Because that "healthy respect" is the beginning of 'wisdom' and the proper mindset in learning and knowing how to properly handle guns.

Having that respect is good. In fact, it is necessary. But, it must be balanced and tempered with control and confidence.

It is not "healthy" to be [ outright ] afraid of guns.

It is understandable -- you experienced something that was traumatic for you -- and, it has embedded 'scars'... However, those 'scars' can be healed and the fear can be overcome.

I believe that Desdichado's suggestion ( post #187 ) is a good one -- if you are inclined to work on getting beyond that fear. Find a friend you know and trust - who is confident in their handling of guns. Get them to teach you ( or, take a class ) about guns -- "up close and personal" -- i.e. - training that will actually let you handle some guns ( handgun, rifle, shotgun ) - unloaded, at first, of course - until you feel comfortable enough with them to then move on to actually shooting them.

In time, you should be able to overcome your fears...

I am not saying that it will make your fears vanish instantly. But, in time - and, with more handling and practice - your fears should fade away as you become more confident...

Kinda like driving a car.

What is the first thing you are told when learning how to drive a car?

"You better respect this thing -- if you are not careful, you could kill someone with it!"

Did that stop you from learning to drive a car?

I think I am probably not communicating very well. The guns I am against anyone owning are semiautomatic and automatic weapons. I am not against gun ownership of regular guns.

I know people who own guns and hunt or keep them for defense purposes. It is just not for me, I do not trust myself to be responsible, and I would be as nervous as a cat if I had one on my person. It is just something I don't want to worry about. Also, I am concerned about people carrying them everywhere. I find that a little unsettling.

But, like I said -- it is okay if you don't think they are for you.