One of my concerns about cases like those listed in this thread is that pro gun people often seem to argue along these lines:
News Story = Nutter With Gun Kills Innocents, Hero Citizen Stops Nutter With Own Gun
Argument of made-up pro-gun person = "See - this proves that we need guns to protect ourselves from gun wielding nutters"
Secondary argument of pro-gun fictional character = "you would leave us at the mercy of gun wielding nutters/criminals/etc because you want to prevent heroes/cops/teachers/security men/etc having guns to protect themselves/us"
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You see, to me (and I am not speaking for all anti-gun people, just myself), the pro-gun person has started their argument a step to late.
In a world where random nutters can buy guns (or steal them from self-defence conscious citizens) surely the argument ought to be not "make sure heroes can have guns" but rather "stop nutters getting them".
That's why I dislike guns - not to prevent the sane rational sport shooters and careful people that want to prevent themselves becoming victims, but that to curtail those "freedoms" in order to prevent the nutters and criminals from having guns.
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There is also the right to bear arms and form a militia argument. I understand that in a nation that was born in rebellion from a tyrannical army (as the citizens saw it) there would be a strong will to be able to ensure that the government could b overthrown by an armed militia.
However - would it not be fair to say that a militia trying to protect the liberty of citizens does not need the variety of weapons that seem to be available in the States.
As an outsider, I wonder (and I'd love sensible answers on this one) why it isn't better to encourage a small range of firearms that have a common standard for ammunition types, and less chance of being used in crime (i.e. some sorts of rifle/carbine/SMG - rather than pistols, hand-guns etc).
That way, if it ever gets to the point that the people need to form a REAL militia for self defence, the logistics will be more likely to achieve a good outcome - if everyone is using 7mm rounds of type "X", no problem with your militia having 9mm handguns and only .303 riffle ammo.
Now - all tell me why I'm wrong.
