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okay once more into the breach- and I will try to remain objective-
First- despite eddie izzard's assertions, guns are objects- while I can shoot someone with a gun, I can also bash them over the head with a brick- a gun is a tool that makes killing things more easy- this is not a question of whether guns are bad, it is a question of whether you trust a citizen to have one--
Second- last time I checked it was the law in Switzerland that EVERYONE (all adults) had to have an assault rifle and 24 Rounds of ammo in the house at all times. I recently read in, i think it was in national geographic, that every yoear the swiss cantons all have a "shooting fest " where a huge percent of the populace between the age of 10 and 80 spends a good week competing in shooting events! the pictures showed people hanging their rifles on coatracks in Restraunts! they have incredibly low gun crime, so it is obviously not the guns that are at fault--- In switzerland, military service and firearms proficiency is mandatory- and the mindset is such that the gun is viewed as what it is, a dangerous tool that must be treated with respect... that , I believe is the key, RESPONSIBILITY
three- on the issue of responsibility there seems to be a push, world wide to mitigate responsibility and protect people from themselves- drugs are dangerous, so the U.S. gov criminalizes them and fights a loosing war on drugs for 20 years killing who knows how many people on both sides and making it hugely proffitable. guns are dangerous so they start adding restrictions to them "to protect people" bullshit- the "bad guys" still take the drugs, and still have the guns, while honest citizens do not- law enforcement is reactive- it cannot be everywhere- so the question is, do you rely on them to protect you, mitigating your responsibility, or do you take responsibility for your own protection? Personaly- I feel that you should be able to own and carry any gun you want if you are responsible and law abiding, BUT THE KEY IS THAT YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR ACTIONS- if you O.D. on heroin, well that is your fault, if you shoot someone you go to prison to await execution, if you have kids and Guns in the same house YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EDUCATING THEM.
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Thought the harder, Heart the bolder,
Mood the more as our might lessens
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