Do You Carry A Gun? - Page 13 - U.S. Politics Online: A Political Discussion Forum

Billy1382 · #**181** (**permalink**) 03-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Americano

Correct. Ask any US cop what the biggest current problem for LE is and that's the answer you'll get.

Thanks guys, I should brush up on my terms haha. Just a neighbour wonderhing here, but shouldn't there be more alarm over the fact that more and more Americans feel they need to have a gun. I would hope, although reality would say different, that a government like ours would not want its citizens feeling as though they have to protect their own lives at any cost when going to get a movie, get a drink at a bar, or going to a convience store. I just think it should be more of an issue as the government has the entrenched responsibility of protecting its citizens. Know what I mean?

MattLarson · #**182** (**permalink**) 03-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy1382

The Land of the Free and the greatest democracy on Earth and so many of it citizen's feel they are at death's door without a firearm. I had no idea it was like that. Learn something everyday.

Where have you seen anyone say that they are "at death's door without a firearm"?

Complete hyperbole.

Matt

kingofcool · #**183** (**permalink**) 03-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattLarson

You are entitled to your opinion. Even when you're wrong.

The fact is you are more likely to be a victim of a violent crime in many parts of the UK and Australia than you are in the US.

Matt

Yeah, but I'm more likely to be murdered in the US...Give me a bit of fisticuffs over being killed any day. Also, you need to cite the number of reported assaults to get a true picture. Australians and New Zealanders might be prepared to report assaults more than Yanks...

Billy1382 · #**184** (**permalink**) 03-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattLarson

Where have you seen anyone say that they are "at death's door without a firearm"?

Complete hyperbole.

Matt

Just going by what was said here on this thread. I read from the beginning and I was surprised at the amount of people who said they carry one or want to have one for their own protection when they go out. I'll admit I overexageratted with the death's door thing though, but generally that's what is associated with guns.

MattLarson · #**185** (**permalink**) 03-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy1382

Just going by what was said here on this thread. I read from the beginning and I was surprised at the amount of people who said they carry one or want to have one for their own protection when they go out. I'll admit I overexageratted with the death's door thing though, but generally that's what is associated with guns.

Nonsense again.

I've owned firearms for 20+ years. Carried one at various times for more than 2 years.

Number of people hurt: 0
Number of people killed: 0

Where's the big deal?

Matt

Billy1382 · #**186** (**permalink**) 03-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattLarson

Nonsense again.

I've owned firearms for 20+ years. Carried one at various times for more than 2 years.

Number of people hurt: 0
Number of people killed: 0

Where's the big deal?

Matt

That is good to hear, so then why are so many people writing that they need one for their personal protection? Why do so many feel that they must have a gun to ensure safety?

I don't have a real issue with people owning a gun, but let's admit it, a gun is power, it's "cool", it's exciting, that's why people want them, not this protection thing.

Lunatech · #**187** (**permalink**) 03-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy1382

That is good to hear, so then why are so many people writing that they need one for their personal protection? Why do so many feel that they must have a gun to ensure safety?

I don't have a real issue with people owning a gun, but let's admit it, a gun is power, it's "cool", it's exciting, that's why people want them, not this protection thing.

I have been to Canada myself, right after they passed some of their gun legilation. Seems a lot of the people that I knew that were ex-military were a little grumpy about some of the laws that were passed.

Is there still a gangster problem in Toronto? When I was working in that area, there were people who were buying guns in the States, and then hauling them all the way to Toronto to sell them to gang-bangers there.

Fozmonster · #**188** (**permalink**) 03-02-2007

If so many people carry guns for self-defense, that wouldn't it be better that no-one could and the threat wouldn't arise? There are some parts of Glasgow I wouldn't go (great city though it is) on a Saturday night - so I don't go there it's a fairly simple solution really. And I don't need to 'pack heat' to make that decision, amazing really

MattLarson · #**189** (**permalink**) 03-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fozmonster

If so many people carry guns for self-defense, that wouldn't it be better that no-one could and the threat wouldn't arise? There are some parts of Glasgow I wouldn't go (great city though it is) on a Saturday night - so I don't go there it's a fairly simple solution really. And I don't need to 'pack heat' to make that decision, amazing really

The people lawfully carrying are not the problem - we're not the ones committing the crimes.

The armed criminal doesn't care about the laws prohibiting him from carrying.

So what you are really arguing is that it would be better for the criminals if the ordinary decent citizens were disarmed.

Sorry, but no thanks.

As far as places in the city that one won't go, guess what? The vast majority of people who are licensed to carry don't electively go there either.

Like I told another poster, if I was ever going to a place where I knew I would need my pistol, I just wouldn't go.

Matt

mpd8488 · #**190** (**permalink**) 03-02-2007

The vast majority of handgun owners do not carry on a regular basis. Many people obtain CCW permits so that they could carry if they wanted to, but for most of us it really isn't necessary. It is our right to bear arms and many people would like to be able to assert that right. Just because we sometimes choose to carry does not mean we are afraid, it means that we are asserting our rights.

Most of the people who carry on a regular basis do not do so out of fear either. For them it is what they have always known and are used to. Many of my friends find it odd that I always have a leatherman on me, but that is just because I grew up always having a knife with me if I needed it. I rarely use it, but since I am so used to having one on me it isn't a hassle. That is what it is like for many who carry. Many peoples' fathers and grandfathers carried and they were always around firearms growing up. They aren't afraid, it is just normal.

enigma2 · #**191** (**permalink**) 03-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironman Jack

.44 mag under the seat, .45 cal on my person ALWAYS, plus a "surprise" in my boot!

I have at last count 32 pistols, rifles & shotguns and possibly 6 to 8000 rounds, so approach my homestead with caution, although you would never get past Lobo or my alarm of 22 Guinea hens and 15 Geese and Ganders, as it do get noisy when anything is near! Screw ADT!! Great Post Steve!

Bloody Hell! Jack are you that bloke who slept with a gun under his pillow in Bowling for Columbine??

You wouldn't have many visitors!!

enigma2 · #**192** (**permalink**) 03-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattLarson

You are entitled to your opinion. Even when you're wrong.

The fact is you are more likely to be a victim of a violent crime in many parts of the UK and Australia than you are in the US.

Matt

Well, in a way you have proven my point, Matt. Why carry a gun where you are LESS likely to be a 'victim of a violent crime', when in a country were you are MORE likely to be a 'victim of a violent crime', we DON'T carry one?

And not only that, but we don't feel the NEED to carry one!

There is a bit of an anomoly in these two situations.

I shall refrain from chanting - Sissy boys, Sissy boys!!

MattLarson · #**193** (**permalink**) 03-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by enigma2

Well, in a way you have proven my point, Matt. Why carry a gun where you are LESS likely to be a 'victim of a violent crime', when in a country were you are MORE likely to be a 'victim of a violent crime', we DON'T carry one?

Maybe if you let ordinary, decent citizens have the means to protect themselves, you'd have less violent crime.

Quote:

Originally Posted by enigma2

And not only that, but we don't feel the NEED to carry one!

There is a bit of an anomoly in these two situations.

I shall refrain from chanting - Sissy boys, Sissy boys!!

Chant it all you like - far more of a reflection upon you than upon any of the "Sissy boys", IMHO.

Matt

enigma2 · #**194** (**permalink**) 03-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lunatech

I never said I wanted to carry a gun through the checkout. Fact is, if you don't have it concealed, you actually can carry a gun in the parts of the US. But I never said I felt it necessary.

Now, the way concealed carry laws are set up in my state, I cannot have a knife in my pocket that has a blade longer than three inches without violating them. I have a pocket knife that is very handy that has a blade just a little longer than that. Now, the inane laws of this state actaully would force me to get a concealed carry permit for guns in order to carry that knife in my pocket. It's pretty handy to have, and in my youth I have had a few run-ins with the law, so I choose tyo comply with said law.

If you had read all of my responses, you would find that I am not some cowboy that wanders around town with a shootin' iron on my hip. I just want to comply with the law, and the law says that if I want to put a handgun in my glove compartment when I go camping, I need a concealed carry permit. Where I go camping is pretty wild, and the last time I went up there I saw exactly one other person in three days of camping. And he was a forestry service ranger. In the area, there are large predatory critters like the mountain lion and a couple of types of bear.

Now, I think that all is well and good in Australia if you no longer feel the need to have guns around at all. I am impressed that you are that civilised. Unfortunately, here in the US, we have not made the leap to being that civilised, and it doesn't look like we will be anytime soon. In my opinion, we are actually headed in the opposite direction, and I think there a lot of factors contributing to that. But that is another thread.

And you're probably right, I probably am a sissy, if what I have seen of Australians is any indication (Paul Hogan and Steve Irwin) of what the menfolk are like in your fair country. After all, when faced with a bloody great crocodile, I would probably use a gun rather than wrestling it.

One more thing, you mention you have cats. Do you have them de-clawed? After all, there is no need for them to have claws, in a civilised household.

The men in Australia are the same as anywhere else. Good, bad and indifferent! This may astonish you, but I didn't admire Steve Irwin.

As for my cats, de-clawing them would be the UN-civilised thing to do. I have a large backyard with trees, which my cats love to scratch and climb. My cats are free to roam and therefore lead a life close to their natural one; although one is so lazy her roaming is usually between her bed and her food-dish LOL. However, if there is a dead bird she is usually the one who has caught it. I was appalled when I heard about the practice of de-clawing. Why?

So you are all telling me that when I was happily wandering around in the US that many of the MEN within spitting distance of me were probably carrying guns?? Now that IS scary!

enigma2 · #**195** (**permalink**) 03-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattLarson

Maybe if you let ordinary, decent citizens have the means to protect themselves, you'd have less violent crime.

Chant it all you like - far more of a reflection upon you than upon any of the "Sissy boys", IMHO.

Matt

Bullshit! We do have violent crime, every country does, but it isn't such that any of us feel the need to go armed. Carrying guns doesn't lessen crime, if it did you would have less in your country, and you don't.

For various reasons which I won't bore you with, I am more vulnerable than most other women. But if even the police came to my door and told me that I needed a gun for protection I would laugh in their face. My doors and windows are never locked. This is why I find it so hard to understand why perfectly healthy males, and probably some females, feel the need to go out into the world armed. It is perpetuating, not allaying, violence.

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