Quote Originally Posted by hooahguy View Post
@Seamus Fermanagh- i dont know if the murder rate would go down. it could also go up. as was said before, crooks who want guns will get them, and law-abiding people wont. there wont be means of viable self-defense.
too much reliance on the governemnt for protection is not good.
Reagan (or maybe someone elese?) once said: "the scariest words to hear are 'im fromt he government and im here to help.'"

it is much easier to train with a gun than it is to train with a knife. now, for self defense for the averae person, man or woman- is a knife better than a gun? maybe for men, since they are by nature stronger and more able with weapons and could successfully fend off an attacker with a knife.
but women, who are naturally at a disadvantage when it comes to male attackers, are not at an advantage.
a gun is far more suited for women.
I said that I thought the murder rate would go down -- but suspect that violence would increase. Murders would be lessened not because of the criminal element -- there'd be a slight increase from that direction as some of the nuttier ones felt less threatened. I was referring to the fairly large chunk of those murders that represent loved ones killing loved ones during a fight of some kind. Firearms make such killings easier. I'm well aware that you can kill someone with a knife and that cutting tools can do horrific things (John Wayne Bobbitt), but they are usually far less lethal in this advanced medical era we're in. Again, I'm talking a decrease in deaths, not a decrease in violence or injuries.

On the flip side, criminals would still have guns and would be at a significant advantage in their quest to deprive others of rightful property -- and the rightful owners would have little chance of the authorities stepping in to prevent such a theft in time. As you suggest, the physically stronger would also be in a position to enforce their will on others more readily, again presuming that the police can't get there in time to prevent it. I would find this a gross infringement of my rights.

Be aware, however, that many gun control propronents truly believe that the life of a person who is seeking to take your property is worth more than your property -- even though you have sacrificed a portion of your life to acquire same. In their opinion, you should incur an ongoing cost (insurance) so that your property may be replaced when taken by another.

I view them as having abrogated their right to life by directly threatening your property rights, but then again I am a Conservativus Rex who hasn't evolved to higher* levels.

*to be read properly, this word should DRIP sarcasm.