Private Gun Ownership - Good or Bad?

[peacetraveler22]

Comments

[moonrainbow]

Oh, that IS a holywar topic!

I tend to be against private gun ownership. I believe that if you can own a gun, a criminal can, too, and your gun doesn't help you against the criminal if you are not ready to shoot at people (and criminals are easy with shooting).

But then I listen to my wife and she's a supporter! She says that a girl can't stand against man's brute force, but a gun in a girl's hand changes the game!

So even a family can't agree on this simple topic, do you really expect finding solution in a big society?

[peacetraveler22]

In Texas, you can shoot almost anyone, even if they trespass on your neighbor's lawn. Not your OWN lawn, but someone else's. But it's surprising to me that you're against all private gun ownership. What about for hunting, is it okay? I always knew Maria is a wise woman. :))

[moonrainbow]

Well, I didn't say that I am strictly "against ALL types of gun ownership".
It is more correct to say I am against allowing to wear guns. But even there you will have reasonable arguments. Like protecting kids against certain mad people who just shoot in the schools.

Texas is the greatest state!

[zyrianov]

In Texas if two bad guys, trying to rob the store and owner of the store has killed one of them, second who still alive will be charged for the murder. Because it was happened as result of his action! Perfectly written law :)

[south_of_broad]

1 and 2 is already in place in some states. At least In SC , I also had to go to school in order to get concealed weapon permit. 3 is unconstitutional . Law abiding citizens will register their guns, criminals won't . So what's the point? 4- I am all for it! The sign on the door won't prevent evil from entering , the teacher with the gun will.

[peacetraveler22]

There is no schooling or wait period in VA, unless the laws have recently changed. Anyone off the street can go to a gun show (and there are a lot of them here!!) and buy a firearm on the spot. I don't think 3 is unconstitutional. We are required to register our automobiles and pay taxes, inspection fees, etc. on them. Imagine the uproar if we began to tax private gun ownership!!! :)) I'm an advocate for training, esp. in those States where you can openly carry a weapon.

[ex_leo_sosn]

America should do nothing about that. The problem about this guy and similar cases is just growing population. If people own guns sometimes they will kill each other with guns and that's inevitable. More population in size -- more cases like that. Of course guns make it easier for people to kill each other and banning guns completely will eventually lessen numbers of people injured in killing sprees, but won't stop killing sprees themselves, remember a recent knife killing spree in on american school?. People always tend to kill each other and it's not necessarily bad. This case was bad, however.

On the other hand, killing sprees can be stopped effectively by other people who carry their guns with them, so I support your suggestion on school teachers carrying guns.

Nice pic!

[peacetraveler22]

"People always tend to kill each other and it's not necessarily bad." :)) When is it not bad to kill others? The only exception is warfare or self-defense. I also like this photo. It was taken in the back of my dad's pick-up truck at Christmas time.

[new_forester]

I love it when the pro-gun people bring up the 2nd amendment. You forget that the Constitution is but a document. It was written by people and people can change it. It has been changed (amended) many times before and what makes you think it can't be amended again to repeal the 2nd amendment? There was a time when the 2nd amendment made a lot of sense. It doesn't any more. Self-defense is a myth. Does that person trespassing on your lawn really deserve a death penalty for his crime? Gun ownership takes justice from the courts and the legal system and puts it into citizens' hands, Wild West style. I am uncomfortable with that.

[peacetraveler22]

I agree the Constitution is a "living document" that should adjust with societal changes, but you can't underestimate its importance, particularly with respect to civil liberties. In fact, it has been amended less than 20 times in over 200 years despite over 10,000 attempts by legislators. The main exception was the Bill of Rights, of which the Second Amendment is a part. It will never be repealed. Impossible.

I agree a person trespassing on your lawn doesn't deserve to be shot, but once they enter your private home you should have a right to self-defense. I'm not sure why you think self-defense is a myth? What about alcohol? It also is a deadly weapon when people consume massive amounts and get behind the wheel and kill people in accidents. Should it also be banned? The number of very responsible gun owners FAR outweighs those who do harm, so things must be kept in perspective.

[new_forester]

Self defense should not be a license to kill. You can defend your person or property with non-lethal devices. And if there is no immediate threat to my life or health, I'd just give the robber what he wants, rather than risk violent confrontation. After all, what if the bad guy has a bigger gun? When you initiate violence, you should be prepared to loose.
Now, alcohol, cigarettes, cars....Sure these kill people. And guess what? We've raised the drinking age, introduced graduated licensing system for young drivers and banned smoking indoors in most places. This happened right before my eyes, not in some distant past, but right here, I witnessed these things change.
50 years ago, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on that bus. No one thought is was important. "The law will never change', they said, 'impossible." But it did change. I can wait. Unfortunately, many innocent people will have to die before the change happen. Well, such is the price of building a better society.

[peacetraveler22]

Your points are all valid. That's why I advocate for tighter controls, but not complete abandonment of private ownership rights.

[peacetraveler22]

Да, я соглашаюсь.

[ypolozov]

Imho here some other form would sound better in Russian like
Да, я согласна.
Да, согласна.
Согласна.
Да, соглашусь.
Соглашусь

[peacetraveler22]

Thanks! My Russian is bad, but soon will return to classes in July. :)