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Dk, first off, thank you for a great thread. This topic is a bit rusty but has great relevance. As a citizen of LA I often wonder why it is so damn difficult for me, a law-abiding American has so much difficulty obtaining a "lawful" gun. Hell the kid down the street is armed to the teeth (I've seen it) with no apparent problems. I suppose I could go that route but I want to be part of the solution, not the problem.
The issue of the LA riots is pivotal. A great example is the political effect. For instance, many Korean shopowners (the ones with guns and vests) were able to protect their businesses. The others...no. And the billions in promised aid never materialized. TO this day, more than ten years later, Koreatown is still strugglin economically.
Politically, many people were jaded. Now they know that the police will only protect Beverly Hills and big business. If I remember correctly, the NRA came in there and cleaned up (meaning new members). Talk about huge missed opportunity for Democrats.
A more recent example: After Hurricane Katrina, I went to the local sporting goods store to buy water purifier and flashlights etc. The guy at the counter immediately asked me if I was buying a gun, because if I was, then too bad cause they were all sold out. Turns out, the rioting, looting in New Orleans sparked a run on home defense. I was thinking of getting a Mossberg 12-gauge but only thinking about it.
But now, I have to seriously consider it. I have a fantastic distaster kit for earthquakes, floods, fire etc in LA for both upstairs and downstairs. My roomates love me and everyone I know wants to be at my house in the event of some disaster. One BIG thing missing from my kit: home defense. Conceivably, if my house is the only one with emergency supplies, then we could become very "popular". The last thing I want is for a group of rowdies to take my kit away.
As more and more people realize that the police are NOT there to protect you, they will have to take personal responsibility for their own protection. And we have a guarantee in the constitution that says we can. (PS - I'm not knocking the police in anyshape or form).
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