As I learn more about the Dickson City Incident, it makes me think about a few things, that I would like to put out there and hear what you have to say
( Read more... )
Nowadays there's no way the freedom to bear arms is going to enable people to protect themselves from the government. Weapons are too powerful, and travel too fast. When was the last time you heard of any group successfully fighting off the government with guns?
Your bigoted argument isn't very good, when someone can just as easily substitute: "A part of feeling safe is a community standard where rapists aren't accepted." "A part of feeling safe is a community standard where pedophiles aren't accepted." "A part of feeling safe is a community standard where clowns aren't accepted." "A part of feeling safe is a community standard where wasp nests aren't accepted." (Hey wait, I can really get behind that last one...)
How useful or dangerous openly carrying arms is depends entirely on cultural values. I don't think enough people would be wanting to carry weapons in our society at large to prevent (or shorten by much) the occasional shooting spree. On the other hand, inter-gang violence would probably increase. :P Actually, come to think of it, deaths related to things like road rage would increase as well...
The difficulty in allowing anyone with a gun to wear one anywhere they want is that it doesn't differentiate "appropriateness." Unfortunately, it's infrequent that one can tell how appropriate it is to have a gun ahead of time. I know this is a stretch of a metaphor, but imagine if people were allowed to drive their cars anywhere they wanted, and only got in trouble if they hit someone. Instead, we have appropriate places for people to drive their cars, and we even have rules for how to drive in those places in order to prevent people from being hurt. And we make exceptions to those rules for certain people like police and ambulances in order for them to do their jobs effectively.
I wouldn't have a problem with people carrying guns in public, but I don't think our society is capable of handling it on a large scale...
Y'know, I just have to appreciate the irony that you're the Canadian who introduced me to the Arrogant Worms and C'est Cheese. ;) :D
"When was the last time you heard of any group successfully fighting off the government with guns?"
There is a case to be made with Ruby Ridge and Waco, but they weren't really successful and those involved had broken other laws then just firearm violations. If we are talking about successfully fighting off government then I would like to refer you to the August 2, 1946 Battle of Athens
I'm not sure I understand your concern when it comes to my "A part of feeling safe is a community standard where XXXX isn't accepted." Rape and pedophilia are illegal acts, openly carrying a firearm, being black, or being a Mormon are not illegal acts. Clowns? Lets face it we all know that they are of the devil anyway.
What do you mean "differentiate appropriateness". Are you saying that there are appropriate times to wear a firearm and that there are times when it is inappropriate?
Are these appropriate or inappropriate times to be carrying a fire arm? Following with the car analogy, why do you wear your seatbelt? Why are there airbags installed in cars? Are we looking to get in to accidents? Are we wanting the airbags to be deployed? I think the answer is no we don't expect or want to use the seatbelt or airbag, but we are glad that we have them should they be needed. How is a gun any different?
There are laws in place as far as what you can and can not do when you are driving a car, just as there are laws in place regarding the use if firearms. Some rather stupid as not being able to carry into the post office when you are dropping a letter off in the mail slot, but some laws do make sense. I can't go around shooting each clown I see (even though they are clearly asking for it).
Your bigoted argument isn't very good, when someone can just as easily substitute:
"A part of feeling safe is a community standard where rapists aren't accepted."
"A part of feeling safe is a community standard where pedophiles aren't accepted."
"A part of feeling safe is a community standard where clowns aren't accepted."
"A part of feeling safe is a community standard where wasp nests aren't accepted."
(Hey wait, I can really get behind that last one...)
How useful or dangerous openly carrying arms is depends entirely on cultural values. I don't think enough people would be wanting to carry weapons in our society at large to prevent (or shorten by much) the occasional shooting spree. On the other hand, inter-gang violence would probably increase. :P Actually, come to think of it, deaths related to things like road rage would increase as well...
The difficulty in allowing anyone with a gun to wear one anywhere they want is that it doesn't differentiate "appropriateness." Unfortunately, it's infrequent that one can tell how appropriate it is to have a gun ahead of time. I know this is a stretch of a metaphor, but imagine if people were allowed to drive their cars anywhere they wanted, and only got in trouble if they hit someone. Instead, we have appropriate places for people to drive their cars, and we even have rules for how to drive in those places in order to prevent people from being hurt. And we make exceptions to those rules for certain people like police and ambulances in order for them to do their jobs effectively.
I wouldn't have a problem with people carrying guns in public, but I don't think our society is capable of handling it on a large scale...
Y'know, I just have to appreciate the irony that you're the Canadian who introduced me to the Arrogant Worms and C'est Cheese. ;) :D
Reply
There is a case to be made with Ruby Ridge and Waco, but they weren't really successful and those involved had broken other laws then just firearm violations. If we are talking about successfully fighting off government then I would like to refer you to the August 2, 1946 Battle of Athens
I'm not sure I understand your concern when it comes to my "A part of feeling safe is a community standard where XXXX isn't accepted." Rape and pedophilia are illegal acts, openly carrying a firearm, being black, or being a Mormon are not illegal acts. Clowns? Lets face it we all know that they are of the devil anyway.
What do you mean "differentiate appropriateness". Are you saying that there are appropriate times to wear a firearm and that there are times when it is inappropriate?
5 dead in strip mall shooting;
Man hospitalized after restaurant shooting
One Killed, One Hurt In Restaurant Shooting
Are these appropriate or inappropriate times to be carrying a fire arm? Following with the car analogy, why do you wear your seatbelt? Why are there airbags installed in cars? Are we looking to get in to accidents? Are we wanting the airbags to be deployed? I think the answer is no we don't expect or want to use the seatbelt or airbag, but we are glad that we have them should they be needed. How is a gun any different?
There are laws in place as far as what you can and can not do when you are driving a car, just as there are laws in place regarding the use if firearms. Some rather stupid as not being able to carry into the post office when you are dropping a letter off in the mail slot, but some laws do make sense. I can't go around shooting each clown I see (even though they are clearly asking for it).
Reply
Leave a comment