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nezmot · 03-30-2006, 12:36 AM

The problem I have with many of the pro-gun arguments is the idea that around every corner is some violent criminal intent on holding them up at gun-point. Thankfully, I've never been witness to any kind of violent crime whatsoever - I walk through city streets with an overall feeling of safety. Not so the gun lobby. To them, walking through the city is like asking to become a victim. It's this evident (and in my <b>opinion</b>, irrational) fear, and the feeling that one needs to protect oneself from some unseen criminal threat that I find slightly worrying. Is it paranoia? Maybe, maybe not - but it just doesn't seem healthy. Maybe I'm naive, but as I said, I have never been witness to a violent crime, and nor have any of my friends or family (with the possible exception of drunken brawls at the end of an evening) - In my world, it's just not something I spend any great time thinking about.

The typical pro-gun answer would be something along the lines of describing some far-out situation (let's say, terrorists spraying a mall with AK47 fire) and pointing out that if some people had concealed weapons, that we'd all be safe. Well perhaps you're right. But I just don't believe that 'terrorists' give a damn about my poxy out-of the way mall, much less travel all the way over there to start firing at random consumers.

So - generally then - and if this upsets people I'm sorry, but it's the true opinion I have about those who obsess over their weapons - it seems to me that the pro-gun lobby are generally more fearful than the rest of us, which in turn, because of all the guns that are more readily available to all (and are more easily stolen for example), puts them in the hands of those who might use them for criminal intent.

The concealed carry thing only applies to people who are willing to brandish a weapon and perform a 'hold up'. In a concealed carry culture, the criminal, if he wants to get away with it, is encouraged to shoot first, and not spare anyone's life - and that does not make me feel any more secure - and it wouldn't do, whether I had a gun or not.

So finally then - would I ever own a gun? Yes. If I felt I lived in a violent area where there was no law enforcement, and I might have to hold-out against attackers. But we're talking Afghanistan, or central Africa. Not suburban USA. Is America really that dangerous? Is America really that lawless? Are Americans really that afraid of one another that they feel the need to protect themselves with lethal weapons?

The answer would appear (to me) to be yes.

03-30-2006, 12:36 AM	#18 (permalink)
nezmot Registered User	The problem I have with many of the pro-gun arguments is the idea that around every corner is some violent criminal intent on holding them up at gun-point. Thankfully, I've never been witness to any kind of violent crime whatsoever - I walk through city streets with an overall feeling of safety. Not so the gun lobby. To them, walking through the city is like asking to become a victim. It's this evident (and in my <b>opinion</b>, irrational) fear, and the feeling that one needs to protect oneself from some unseen criminal threat that I find slightly worrying. Is it paranoia? Maybe, maybe not - but it just doesn't seem healthy. Maybe I'm naive, but as I said, I have never been witness to a violent crime, and nor have any of my friends or family (with the possible exception of drunken brawls at the end of an evening) - In my world, it's just not something I spend any great time thinking about. The typical pro-gun answer would be something along the lines of describing some far-out situation (let's say, terrorists spraying a mall with AK47 fire) and pointing out that if some people had concealed weapons, that we'd all be safe. Well perhaps you're right. But I just don't believe that 'terrorists' give a damn about my poxy out-of the way mall, much less travel all the way over there to start firing at random consumers. So - generally then - and if this upsets people I'm sorry, but it's the true opinion I have about those who obsess over their weapons - it seems to me that the pro-gun lobby are generally more fearful than the rest of us, which in turn, because of all the guns that are more readily available to all (and are more easily stolen for example), puts them in the hands of those who might use them for criminal intent. The concealed carry thing only applies to people who are willing to brandish a weapon and perform a 'hold up'. In a concealed carry culture, the criminal, if he wants to get away with it, is encouraged to shoot first, and not spare anyone's life - and that does not make me feel any more secure - and it wouldn't do, whether I had a gun or not. So finally then - would I ever own a gun? Yes. If I felt I lived in a violent area where there was no law enforcement, and I might have to hold-out against attackers. But we're talking Afghanistan, or central Africa. Not suburban USA. Is America really that dangerous? Is America really that lawless? Are Americans really that afraid of one another that they feel the need to protect themselves with lethal weapons? The answer would appear (to me) to be yes.