I'm becoming concerned that this discussion is leading to a certain animosity and heatedness towards some of my posts.

Some are aware that I am arguing my case from a different societal attitude than that of those living in the US and excuse me. Others feel that I'm criticising the US, and in a way that is probably correct to some extent. If I hadn't travelled there I would not have had so much to say. But I did, alone, and came to no harm! However, although I have teased and taunted, it is all academic to me. Australian citizens don't feel the need to go armed and I doubt this will change any time in the next 50 or so years. Also, as I can't see myself emigrating to the US (well, I doubt you would have me!) it doesn't effect me in my every day life.

I suppose it is all to do with my distaste of an armed populace. In other words, it's a personal thing. Therefore, I bow out of this discussion and wish you all well.

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Lucky is he (sic) who has been able to understand the causes of things
Virgil

You've come along way since The Road Warrior.

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If common sense were common, we would all have it (including me).

I need to clarify this. Both the citizen and the police officer have exactly the same rights to defend themselves from attack using force. The force has to be reasonable and appropriate. If lethal force is used then it must be reasonable. Each state and territory has its own variance of self-defence, some states are common law states, some are criminal code states. The common law states have a self defence provision that is pretty similar across the jurisdictions.

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"There were no D-Day Heroes in 1973" - Cold Chisel Khe Sanh

I understand the operation of the Constitution and the theory of government in the US. It's the same here in that the parliament and government which exists because of the parliament, governs with the consent of the people. Our bi-cameral federal parliament took as its model the Westminster model and the US model and blended them into our own system.

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"There were no D-Day Heroes in 1973" - Cold Chisel Khe Sanh

Just because he told the attacker he would do that does not mean he actually would have.

In his shoes, I might have told the attacker the same thing, but I would not fire on him if he ran away.

Matt

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De duobus malis, minus est semper eligendum

I hope you are not feeling animosity from my replies, as that is not my intent. If you are, please accept my apology.

Matt

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De duobus malis, minus est semper eligendum

Thank you Diuretic.

You're welcome Traveler

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"There were no D-Day Heroes in 1973" - Cold Chisel Khe Sanh

Here's what you fail to understand.

Even though I may be carrying a firearm, I will still do everything possible to de-escalate, defuse and avoid a confrontation. If given the choice between getting into a lethal force encounter and running, I'll scream like a little girl and run.
Faced with the gravest extreme, where an armed criminal is intent on harming me or my family, I am not forced to hope the police get there in time, because I have one last option that you don't have.

You say you find it weird that someone would carry a firearm for that last case. You prefer to dial the police and hope they can get there before the criminal is finished raping you, or stabbing you to death, or both.

How do you think this woman would have fared under that plan? http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pb...=2007703050350

Note also who saved her - a lawfully armed citizen.

Matt

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I copied this posting because it aptly illustrates my gun-toting approach to shooting someone. As long as a person with a knife is more than ten seconds away from me I do not feel under imminent threat. When he starts running toward me I hope the lead stops him. People with guns are a threat only when the barrel is pointed at me. When he drops his gun hand and turns away he is no longer a threat....etc

Now, If I should come upon some sexual predator attempting to rape your 10-year-old, do you want me to call 911 and wait or do you want me to help her in the most effective way I have available?

That is another reason to be armed and it is probably more important to me than my personal safety.

Forever_poor

A VERY EXCELLENT view on a much over-discussed subject!!!

Forever_poor

When anyone starts coming towards you with a knife they have instigated the attack. It's too late for talking, oc spray is impractical, there are two options, turn your back and run (a good idea if you're not armed) or fire on them.

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"There were no D-Day Heroes in 1973" - Cold Chisel Khe Sanh

A person who has met the requirements that allow him to legally carry a gun has proven himself (or herself as my wife carries too) to be a stable adult citizen with no violent criminal tendencies. This person is a good person to have beside you on the street...etc. An idiot who is likely to act like the quoted posting would almost surely be denied a permit. Would you want to share his space?

I have had my gun in my pocket many times when some idiot did something that irritated me severely. I have never even considered pulling the gun to change his attitude. I was only irritated and not threatened.

Forever_poor

I do not really feel the need to carry a gun. I have pride in the fact that I can qualify to carry a gun. There are many people who live where they sincerely feel the need to be armed or whose activities make them want to be armed. Some of these people are armed in violation of law.

Forever_poor

Dont take this the wrong way but on the subject of firearms you americans are stark raving absolutely bonkers. How anyone would want to live in a society where over a quarter of the population feel the need to be personally armed with a deadly weapon is a subject best suited to the psychiatrists couch.

That's a bit harsh ian. Fact is that in many parts of the US there are so many firearms in private hands - legally and illegally - that many people have no choice but to arm up themselves. In a confrontation between individuals in some places in the States the norm is to suspect that the other person is armed and you act accordingly.

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"There were no D-Day Heroes in 1973" - Cold Chisel Khe Sanh