Firearms

[Perducci]

Nobody should have guns. Ever.

I'd much prefer a sword of some kind. Or like... an axe or something. More fun.

[Excelsior]

so...no one should have guns because you would prefer to have a sword or something?

[Sin Magnum]

although i voted law-biding citizens i know it would never happpen too impossible people could be fakin bein good then one day thousands could go on a crime spree.
though i dont mind animal population control walkin around with guns-hunters.
mmmmm deer meat.

[karatehero]

Cloud 9, I just want you to know that you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.

A .45 cal handgun is probably the best self defence weapon in the world. If you used it for hunting the deer would be happy you hit it with it and not a high power rifle. The .45 is made to expend its energy inside the body as it hits a body of water. If a round goes through a body, it has wasted energy and therefore does less damage. (obviously there are limits. A 427 nitro express rifle would have a bit more power than a .45, however, most people don't own rifles of that cal.)

As for your whole money versus life thing, I own weapons to protect myself, my family, and my property. If someone tries to stab me, they are getting shot. If someone attacks my wife, they are getting shot. If someone breaks into my house, they are getting shot. No explanations.

Here is the key that you have to understand: you must use common sense. If someone calls me a poo poo face -> I'm not going to shoot them. If someone wants to fight -> I'm not going to shoot them. If you carry a weapon, you must have common sense and you shoudl be held accountable for your sense.

Also, a .22 stub is no more dangerous than a .50 cal chain gun. Its all how you use them. Pointed at someone, a .18 is more dangerous than a bazooka hanging on a wall. Also, a fully automatic weapon is no more dangerious than a BB gun. It is how you use them. Case and point -> my favorite gun to shoot at target pratice is the .44 magnum 6". I shoot it well and it has a rewarding sense of recoil. Other don't, so who cares? Its personal preference. If you want to shoot a fully automatic weapon, feel free. I know several that own them and they are very responsible with them, and they have fun with them. Whats wrong with that?

People using a gun with touchy fingers? Whats that about? If you carry a weapon, you must be responsible enough to learn how to use it and not have an accident (also, most guns dont' have 'hair triggers' anyway. The S&W 99 has an 8 lb pull in single action. No twitchyness is going to help that)

The vast majority of weapon incidents come from accidents. From those that are intentional, the VAST majoirty save someones life that was innocent. Only a very small percentage are from people that are commiting an illegal act. And of those, almost none are with legally sanctioned weapons. AKA-Guns help more than they hinder. Want proof? I'll provide it.

Lastly, the only thing wrong with American soceity is morons. Thats it. The US rocks. I live in a hard working city and am proud of my life. I follow the rules and take pride in what I do. Where do you get your anti-america thoughts from Cloud 9? Micheal Moore? The biggest moron that ever lived?

Hmm, the rounds that killed kids at columbine were bought at k-mart. Obviously K-mart shoudl be held accountable. What kind of garbage is that?

Once again, guns don't kill people, people do.

[General-Beatrix]

It's true that people do need guns as a matter of self-defence, but many gun related deaths has occured that way. Even a good person can go crazy and start shooting people. I guess only the police and the government should have guns because of that. But I guess people will be people.

[Madame Adequate]

It's true that people do need guns as a matter of self-defence, but many gun related deaths has occured that way. Even a good person can go crazy and start shooting people. I guess only the police and the government should have guns because of that. But I guess people will be people.

Again, I am tempted to go on a killing spree with a knife or even, dare I say, my bare hands, to show that a great many people can be killed without firearms.

Moreover, the idea that only the police and government should have guns is laughable. One of the best reasons for having a gun is defense against an overly powerful government.

[Cloud No.9]

karatehero i think you missed my point. i said handguns are purely for use at close quarters and so self defence. if you want to shoor deer you use a rifle. handguns were first invented for close quarters and continue to be used that way. but they are not effecient hunting weapons. and that's why the amish have a problem with them.

they are soloelt designed for use against other people and are not hunting weapons. hunting weapons the amih have no problems with.

and while you say that chain gun is less dangerous than a bb gun. it's all about the effeciency of the killing. why would you ever need a chain gun to protect yourself? or a bazooka? these weapons were made to kill vast numbers of people very very quickly.

and while guns don't kill people, people do. guns just make the whole process faster, easier and more effecient.

and i'm not a huge fan of moore.

and guns are no protetcion against a modren government who have control of the army and so tanks, and missles, and planes.

[Teek]

and guns are no protetcion against a modren government who have control of the army and so tanks, and missles, and planes.

During the Revolutionary War, the Americans' technology was outdated compared to the British, by far. And today, America is the world power.

It has a hell of a lot more to do with the spirit of the people fighting than the actual weaponry. Behind all of those tanks and missles, the government is made up of people, and people can die from guns pretty easily.

[Cloud No.9]

sorry here but i'm gonna be really really controversial here and reply to karate kid once again. sorry if it offends but it is there to make a valid point.

if all weapons are fine to hold. you list a bazooka and chain gun as exmaples. lets take the bazooka and it's explosive nature for example. i might like blwoing stuff up. so i buy a few bits of c4 and watch it go bang and stuff. is this okay? to have c4?

if i am allowed to have whatever weapon i want can i have huge quantities of acetone peroxide? and if i can carry them as you point out. can i carry about 10 pounds of it on a london bus?

[Endless]

And I can drive my car and aim for roadkill, so let's ban cars?
Potentially, everything is a weapon, but we don't ban everything. The difference I see between owning a gun and let's say a bazooka is that a gun isn't dangerous by itself, if you drop it on the ground, nothing will happen, same if you drop a bullet. With rocket launchers and explosives in general, their manipulation is in itself dangerous, which is where I draw the line between what one can have or not.

[nik0tine]

The difference between, say, marijuana and alcohol is that you can have one glass of alcohol every week (or even every day) withoug becoming addicted. I even have a glass of wine or a shot of whiskey once in a blue moon (last drink I had was over a month ago), since it's supposed to be good for your health.

And you can smoke marijuana every day of your life for thirty years, and you still won't be addicted.

Marijuana (or crack, or meth, or even nicotine), all it takes is one or two uses and you're fully adicted to the drug

While that is true with something like meth, marijuana is not even addictive at all.

Moreover, the idea that only the police and government should have guns is laughable. One of the best reasons for having a gun is defense against an overly powerful government.

Exactly, I think that all types of firearms (Including automatic weapons, bazookas, etc.) should all be legal, for the sole purpose of combating the government. What if, one day, we wanted to revolt? It's gonna be alot harder if all we have is handguns, thats for damn sure.

[ShunNakamura]

Well even if we don't need to fight the gov.... What if a gang decides they wanna go after you. A non-auto pistal can't take out 10-20 guys before they riddle you. But if you have say a bazooka.. well you know what? if you are in any inclosed area it don't really matter how many there are.. heck even if htey have bazookas it is still leveled out since in a closed enough area it may only take one shot to wipe out 10-20 guys(might need something bigger then a bazooka though.. not sure Explosive weapontry has never appealed to me much.. too easy to hurt yourself with it.. at least with a gun you have to HIT yourself... hittinga wall beside you would kill you with a highly violate gun).

[War Angel]

Automatic weapons, explosives and various other assaualt weapons shouldn't be allowed in the possession of civilians. Civilians shouldn't be able to fight a war, or an army - just one another, in-case of self-defence. There's no reason for someone to own an assault rifle, a bazooka or a 0.50" caliber machine-gun. A handgun for self-defence purposes, and a shotgun\hunting rifle for hunting, those are cool.

Too much fire-power in the hands of un-checked and un-governed forces or individuals is a very, very dangerous thing.

Frankly, I think owning a fire-arm should be conditioned with a military service of at least a year or so, and\or thorough study of weapons, the way to use and handle them safely. Most people aren't mad terrorists or lunatic murderers - just ignorant about the proper handling of guns, which leads to many accidents.

[Cloud No.9]

to have a revolt nowadays is impossible anyway. to think tianamen square would have been any different if they were armed? or that guy standing in front of the tank would have had much of a chance if he had a 12 guage with him? times have past when anyone can fight a war. it just isn't available anymore.

and what about these gun nuts with enough weapons to fight a small skirmish?

[ShunNakamura]

Frankly, I think owning a fire-arm should be conditioned with a military service of at least a year or so, and\or thorough study of weapons, the way to use and handle them safely. Most people aren't mad terrorists or lunatic murderers - just ignorant about the proper handling of guns, which leads to many accidents.

Whilst I aggree with this general statement(that people are ignorant about proper handling and they should be taught blah blah), I do not appree with forcing it with military service.... sure enable to protect yourself and family you must first go out and kill other people in a war you don't aggree with.{/sarcasm]

Am taking it with current situation. Don't aggree with military service though a training program would be nice.