Why is there an element in society who thinks that everything dangerous should be taken out of the hands of the general populace? We're FREE people, kinda. We should be excising laws from the books rather than creating new ones. We have all the laws we need. When it enters your mind that we need a new law to stop X thing, stop yourself and think up another way to solve the problem that does not involve reducing the things that people can do, own, possess, or use. Even if that solution is more difficult than passing a law, it is better in the end.
If you're honestly looking at it from a more generalized, abstract position, then I'd answer that we don't -- as citizens -- need guns. However, one of the appealing aspects of liberty is that you are allowed a great deal of choice and freedom in exchange for personal responsibility.
Yes, guns are made to kill. However, a bullet isn't the only way to kill someone. A knife, poison, and even a piece of rope can all be used to kill someone. Liquor is arguably even more dangerous and unnecessary than firearms, yet we all know how the general population would react if there were another attempt at prohibition.
We have a right to own guns because it's one of the freedoms that living in a free, equal society affords us. Yes, living under a government which restricts ownership of anything dangerous would be safer, but would it be appealing? Think of what happened after 9/11 -- the Patriot Act (et al) made it much harder to bring items on an airplane which could endanger other passengers. However, the downside was that the cost of airport security went through the roof, security lines got longer and slower, and if you try to bring an open bottle of poland spring water through security you're likely to get tackled by a national guardsman and interrogated by the FBI. Personally, I'd rather have a freer society which runs the risk of people abusing their liberties, than a closed society which can guarantee me a 100 year life expectancy but prevents me from doing anything which might endanger myself or others.
Really, if you feel differently, then I don't think you truly understand and appreciate freedom. We live short lives, and it's so easy to forget (or to never even realize) how unique and special the freedoms we enjoy today are when compared with all the oppressive forms of government in the past. I'm not calling you stupid or anything like that, this isn't a personal dig, I'm just speaking to the collective ease with which a culture can forget how it got where it is, and why.
Yes, guns are made to kill. However, a bullet isn't the only way to kill someone. A knife, poison, and even a piece of rope can all be used to kill someone. Liquor is arguably even more dangerous and unnecessary than firearms, yet we all know how the general population would react if there were another attempt at prohibition.
We have a right to own guns because it's one of the freedoms that living in a free, equal society affords us. Yes, living under a government which restricts ownership of anything dangerous would be safer, but would it be appealing? Think of what happened after 9/11 -- the Patriot Act (et al) made it much harder to bring items on an airplane which could endanger other passengers. However, the downside was that the cost of airport security went through the roof, security lines got longer and slower, and if you try to bring an open bottle of poland spring water through security you're likely to get tackled by a national guardsman and interrogated by the FBI. Personally, I'd rather have a freer society which runs the risk of people abusing their liberties, than a closed society which can guarantee me a 100 year life expectancy but prevents me from doing anything which might endanger myself or others.
Really, if you feel differently, then I don't think you truly understand and appreciate freedom. We live short lives, and it's so easy to forget (or to never even realize) how unique and special the freedoms we enjoy today are when compared with all the oppressive forms of government in the past. I'm not calling you stupid or anything like that, this isn't a personal dig, I'm just speaking to the collective ease with which a culture can forget how it got where it is, and why.
Really? When has this happened in the U.S.? Iraq is an interesting example, but I don't think that there's really a 1:1 comparison there - foreign invaders vs. an armed rebellion in a modern, democratic nation.
waggy
No Lifer
- Dec 14, 2000
- 68,143
- 10
- 81
problem is we cant take everything dangerous ot of the general populace. we ban guns and people will turn to knives. they ban knives people would turn to baseball bats (and the like) then they will ban that.
someone who wants to commit murder or a crime is going to do it. I just want have a fighting chance against a criminal and a gun gives that to me.
how many lawful gun owners commit crimes? most crimes committed with guns are by those who are not supposed to have it in the first place. so all those crimes you are scared of would be commited anyway. we would just have less of a chance to protect ourselves.
HardcoreRobot
Lifer
- Nov 7, 2000
- 16,403
- 3
- 81
we probably wont need to fight off our government
we probably dont need a gun that shoots 1000000 rounds a second vs 1
you are missing the whole point. absence of need does not create a reason to eliminate. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
we probably dont need a gun that shoots 1000000 rounds a second vs 1
you are missing the whole point. absence of need does not create a reason to eliminate. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
meltdown75
Lifer
- Nov 17, 2004
- 37,548
- 7
- 81
Of course you don't need guns.
man... oldsmoboat's should apply to more than "this is HILARIOUS". if not, we need subsections of the law.
I understand and respect your point, but I still see a difference protecting my freedom to destroy my own life (alcohol) vs. the lives of others.
On that note, how is it justified that guns are legally attainable and drugs are not? If we're talking about guns being a symbol of individual rights being of ultimate importance, why aren't more people worked up about prohibitive drug laws? Not to change the topic, but how is prohibition of a class of items over another sound?
You're kidding right? Do you not follow history of the last 100 years? Armed societies overthrow dictators or invaders. Unamed ones are forced, by force, to become a dictatorship.
Deeko
Lifer
- Jun 16, 2000
- 30,213
- 12
- 81
The problem with these threads isn't that its a never ending argument...it is....its that the majority of the pro gun crowd is a bunch of complete assholes when the subject comes up.
For the record, I am NOT anti gun. But the attitude of certain pro-gun people makes me want to be.
For the record, I am NOT anti gun. But the attitude of certain pro-gun people makes me want to be.
Do you honestly believe that our Democracy only exists because the people in power fear violent rebellion? My parents are from an area where politicians DO believe that they could be shot out of power -that just leads to suicide bombings, assassinations, and anarchy.
From your "history of 100 years," can you show an example of an armed society overthrowing dictators leading to a new peaceful society that lives up to the Western world's standards of Democracy?
I'm just beginning to think that there are two (or more) USAs. The values that I grew up with in New York City are very, very different from the those of people in the mid-west, for example. I'm related, by marriage, to people from those parts of the USA and they just don't get me, and I just don't get them. Unfortunately, those people are facing the end of their world - factories are closing down, Walmarts are their entire economy.. I see how scared they are of the future, and they cling on to their old world ideals..
It's sad, and I feel like an east coast liberal/elitist for feeling so distant from their reality..But look at the states and cities with the most wealth, aren't they all more liberal as well (unless the wealth is tied with local natural resources)? I really am trying to empathize, because I love what this country stands for.. Just some of it seems so antiquated.
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
- Jul 3, 2003
- 74,586
- 986
- 126
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 25K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes + WCL Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 23K
-
Discussion Intel current and future Lakes & Rapids thread- Started by TheF34RChannel
- Replies: 23K
-
-
Facebook
Twitter