Originally Posted by scotlandforever

Well, let's just say I hope you're right.

I don't think you are, though.

You've not commented on my explanation as to why I carry a gun. Would you care to do that?

Originally Posted by scotlandforever

Another unfounded assumption. I am not a lass, I am an adult. I also have earned my degree and have been educated in how to think.

Originally Posted by scotlandforever

I live in the UK, have lived in the US, South America, travel widely in Europe, Canada...

Originally Posted by scotlandforever

This is the safest place to live.

Originally Posted by scotlandforever

The figures you refer to must be qualified.

Originally Posted by scotlandforever

There is a drug problem here and a subculture. Most crime is related to and confined within that subculture.

Originally Posted by scotlandforever

Normal people do not carry guns, interact with anyone who does and have no desire to do so.

Originally Posted by scotlandforever

Nor are they much bothered by people with knives.

Originally Posted by scotlandforever

We are very safe on the street here.

Originally Posted by scotlandforever

Answered above, it is not in reality.

Originally Posted by scotlandforever

Dearie me, this is too far. The UK is not governed by a monarchy nor by a ruling class.

Originally Posted by scotlandforever

Our monarchy is a figurehead,

Originally Posted by scotlandforever

we keep it because it impresses the tourists.

Originally Posted by scotlandforever

The UK is governed by an elected parliament which represents the wishes of the electorate much more closely than the US governmental structure does.

Originally Posted by scotlandforever

The US government is set up in such a way that once elected, your representatives are barely accountable at all to your public.

Originally Posted by scotlandforever

I suspect people have no difficulty ascertaining who is informed in this discussion.

Originally Posted by scotlandforever

I think we might agree that we have a different reality and different cultures.

Originally Posted by scotlandforever

Certainly if a gunman threatened me, I should be very glad to see you

Originally Posted by scotlandforever

But I think I would move from that area to secure my family's safety, rather than think of carrying guns.

Originally Posted by EricOKC

It is not unfounded. Your position is childish. You have shared nothing substantial. You have presented no facts. You've demonstrated a distinct lack of actual knowledge on this issue. You started your entire line of discussion by implying that only those who are irrational would use a gun and you've ignored 50+ pages of discussion.

Having a degree means nothing. You've obviously NOT been educated in how to think.

So? I've also traveled extensively and have lived in the US and Europe. Where you've been means nothing.

Not according to the UN.

I'm betting by "qualified" you mean "ignored and excused away while not allowing the same explanations for any other nation's crime issues."

Yep - i was right.

Really? So now I'm abnormal as are all of my friends? I guess anyone who is in the military or police department or ever interacts with them is ALSO abnormal

REALLY?!?!? So you're seriously suggesting that NORMAL people simply disregard the danger of a weapon which was the primary means of killing people and animals for thousands of years?

No, you've fooled yourself into THINKING you are, because to admit otherwise would require you to actually question what you believe.

Ahh -so that UN report and the associated article from one of your news outlets was fantasy? Gotcha.

Forgive me for not being clear. My intention was to indicate you had long BEEN a monarchy.

Ostensibly, yes, but Her Majesty most certainly DOES wield very real power.

Then you're an entire nation of idiots if your head of state is solely to impress those from other nations.

Thank fucking God.

Now on THAT we would agree - but its a topic for a different thread. Incidentally, arent the members of the House of Lords appointed, and in hereditary offices, with zero accountability to the public? Just clearing that up.

Allow me to confirm it for you.

You've presented no facts and have dismissed widely documented facts as reality. When your pathetic arguments are rapidly and soundly defeated, you throw out diversionary comments. Meanwhile, my record here is self-explanatory and well documented.

Originally Posted by EricOKC

CERTAINLY a different reality.

Of course you would! You'd LOVE to see someone else show up and take responsibility for YOUR life! Its so much easier to do that and dismiss people like myself and Steve as "abnormal" rather than take responsibility.

Sucks for you though, because apparently the only people with guns in YOUR country are abnormal and/or criminals, and they're certainly not going to help you. You're also pretty well fucked if anyone comes at you with a knife because, since normal people don't worry about them, nobody will come to your aid, preferring to simply let you bleed out in the street.

Of course, that would be one very short-lived thought because you'd be dead, but your family would be comforted in the knowledge that you didn't defend yourself or call your normality into question by carrying a weapon.

Originally Posted by scotlandforever

It is possible to debate civilly and without disparaging other posters.

Originally Posted by Steve

I've used my weapon to protect my wife and I. I wish I hadn't been in that position, but I was. If I didn't have my gun, I'm secure in my belief that we'd have been killed. Because I had a gun, though, the situation had a very different outcome, and my wife and I were not harmed...

Originally Posted by scotlandforever

This is all irrelevant in a non-gun culture. There is no need to take any responsibility.

Originally Posted by Steve

I think we might agree that we have a different reality and different cultures.
If I lived in a gun culture, my views would differ and I might feel it necessary to do what you did and you had the right to protect your family under those circumstances.
Certainly if a gunman threatened me, I should be very glad to see you But I think I would move from that area to secure my family's safety, rather than think of carrying guns.

Originally Posted by EricOKC

Yes it is, you should try it sometime.

Now perhaps had you NOT come in here and immediately started disparaging those who do carry a gun every day, I would very likely have responded differently. Unlike some posters here though, I do not tolerate behavior such as yours.

Believe it or not, there are many of us who are offended when someone implies that we're irrational or abnormal.

Originally Posted by Wallaroo

Lets just hear the whole story from you - what exactly happened that day? I could use a little bedtime story from uncle Steve.

Originally Posted by scotlandforever

Well, the reality is that we were not in the area in which we live. The part of town we were in is generally considered a pretty good area.

But, crime can happen anywhere, to anyone. 'Tis only a fool who believes otherwise...

Originally Posted by scotlandforever

I have been a member here for months.

Originally Posted by scotlandforever

It is not my first posting.

Originally Posted by scotlandforever

And if it were, this is a discussion forum, for expression of individual opinion and for people to learn a little about subjects which are foreign to them by asking relevant questions.

Originally Posted by scotlandforever

It is not an "agree with everything aggressive people say" forum

Originally Posted by scotlandforever

A little over-reaction IMO.