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Martian · 05-04-2009, 04:55 PM

I think the big panty-twisting issue in this thread is that we're trying to assign some objectivity to what comes down to a value decision. Guns are not inherently bad. My problem with them (insofar as I have one) is that in the wrong hands they can do a lot of damage. Note that the wrong hands are not necessarily criminal ones. An irresponsible gun owner kills people just as dead as one with malicious intent.

I will never understand people who glorify the taking of a human life, and I make no secret of that. Perhaps it's a culture thing; maybe some people just have difficulty drawing a line between Bruce Willis fantasy and RL, as the kids are calling it these days. I do, however, understand that sometimes such actions are necessary. In a perfect world, nobody would die at the hands of another human being. Our world is not a perfect one.

The answer to the OP's question is that you should carry a gun in any situation that meets two conditions:

1) It is legal for you to do so, and
2) You feel it's necessary.

Number 2 is the sticking point. Assuming for the sake of argument that I had the right to carry a gun in public, I would never choose to do so. I don't feel that it's worth the time and energy necessary to meet my own standards of what a gun owner ought to be. I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on a weapon and hundreds of hours at a range learning to use it, and I don't think the miniscule chance that I might one day need said weapon makes this a necessity. So I choose not to do those things.

Your mileage, as they say, may vary.

I do view carrying a weapon as a form of paranoia. That's not necessarily a bad thing. A man (or woman) carries a gun because he's afraid of being put in a position where he's going to need it. I walk on the sidewalks because I'm afraid of getting hit by a car. I don't think all gun owners have a nuclear bunker with a 10 year supply of MRE's and a shiny collection of tinfoil hats. This is an unrealistic assessment of the situation, and translates a specific fear into a general phobia. It's not an accurate picture.

It's true that we all face risk every day with nearly every action we choose to take (or avoid, for that matter). That's only half the picture, though. We all make value decisions based on those risks. Risk vs. reward. And making a value decision is by it's very nature an individual process.

So, yeah. Everyone relax. If you don't, I'll bring my guitar into this. I do a mean Kumbayah.

05-04-2009, 04:55 PM	#27 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	I think the big panty-twisting issue in this thread is that we're trying to assign some objectivity to what comes down to a value decision. Guns are not inherently bad. My problem with them (insofar as I have one) is that in the wrong hands they can do a lot of damage. Note that the wrong hands are not necessarily criminal ones. An irresponsible gun owner kills people just as dead as one with malicious intent. I will never understand people who glorify the taking of a human life, and I make no secret of that. Perhaps it's a culture thing; maybe some people just have difficulty drawing a line between Bruce Willis fantasy and RL, as the kids are calling it these days. I do, however, understand that sometimes such actions are necessary. In a perfect world, nobody would die at the hands of another human being. Our world is not a perfect one. The answer to the OP's question is that you should carry a gun in any situation that meets two conditions: 1) It is legal for you to do so, and 2) You feel it's necessary. Number 2 is the sticking point. Assuming for the sake of argument that I had the right to carry a gun in public, I would never choose to do so. I don't feel that it's worth the time and energy necessary to meet my own standards of what a gun owner ought to be. I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on a weapon and hundreds of hours at a range learning to use it, and I don't think the miniscule chance that I might one day need said weapon makes this a necessity. So I choose not to do those things. Your mileage, as they say, may vary. I do view carrying a weapon as a form of paranoia. That's not necessarily a bad thing. A man (or woman) carries a gun because he's afraid of being put in a position where he's going to need it. I walk on the sidewalks because I'm afraid of getting hit by a car. I don't think all gun owners have a nuclear bunker with a 10 year supply of MRE's and a shiny collection of tinfoil hats. This is an unrealistic assessment of the situation, and translates a specific fear into a general phobia. It's not an accurate picture. It's true that we all face risk every day with nearly every action we choose to take (or avoid, for that matter). That's only half the picture, though. We all make value decisions based on those risks. Risk vs. reward. And making a value decision is by it's very nature an individual process. So, yeah. Everyone relax. If you don't, I'll bring my guitar into this. I do a mean Kumbayah. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame