How many of you own a gun?

Question

Does it make you feel safer? Do you think owning and using guns speaks of just how civilized a society is? Do you agree with harming others instead of contributing to the improvement of society? Personally, I think guns are for cowards.

FYI: Very few people die of gunshots in Europe, in opposition to the almost 10,000 yearly gun deaths in the USA. And Europeans also have a big immigration problem. Does it mean they're more civilized than Americans?

Saddam Hussein certainly encouraged the possession of firearms by all citizens of Iraq. Another wrong statement from an uninformed answerer.

Answer 1

I am reminded on a daily basis why I don't own a gun. People are sooo stupid I would end up shooting myself to put myself out of my misery.

Answer 2

I like the way you ended that question with a provoking statement!
I grew up in the Midwest and used a shotgun for hunting, and Yes I did eat everything that I (bagged) Pheasant, Quail, Rabbit..
I moved to Utah in the 90's out here a shot gun is only used for Duck, Pheasant, And Quail, So I still have a shot gun. But while out here I became interested in Larger Game, Bison (Buffalo) Elk, Moose and Deer. Due to the larger size and more open country I bought a rifle, I actually have three, a 30/30 for Deer and Antelope, a 30/06 and a 300 Win Mag for the larger critters, I also have a couple of hand guns for protection a 9mm and a 40 cal. While out camping , I plunk cans with friends ( you know them there really dangerous cans) and sometimes we'll even due some long distance (500 to 700 yards) with the rifles.. As far as personal protection. I don't think I would ever need any of tthem. I did spend 10 yrs in the Corp, So i know I am not afraid too , If I every had too again. Now I don't know were you live. but I hear of people's house's being broke'n into everyday. Road rage. Gangs,and Idiot's tthat have no feeling or concern with anything but their life..So yes I do feel safer but I have training and ability. A lot of people that have guns don't they are the one's that scare me.

Answer 3

Guns ARE for cowards... the problem is all those cowards get edgy, and if only the cowards had guns we would all be destroyed. That is why I believe guns when put in the hands of "civilized people" are no problem.

If you look at crime rates, usually the areas that allow you to carry canceled weapons have some of the lowest crime rates. Would you rob a bank knowing that half the people in there may have a gun? I think not. Why is crime highest in cities? Many of the residents in cities do not have guns. If you go out to the outskirts of cities (less cops, more places to hide) the crime rate is extremely low. Because usually these people have property, and with property usually comes gun owners. So thieves and crooks stay away from the "easier" targets because of the fear of guns.

Guns in our society are "feared", and we are taught guns are bad, and to stay away from guns. This is why our children think...OOOOO im breaking the rules im playing with a gun. If you look back many many years ago, when everyone owned a gun.... Guns were not seen as toys, or things that shouldnt be played with (so lets play with them), they were seen as tools, and the kids were brought up around guns and to respect guns.

Guns dont kill people, people kill people. Guns are necessary to keep the civilized people who handle the guns responsibly, able to defend themselves against those that have guns that handle them irresponsibly. Criminals get guns NO MATTER WHAT! So if you take away the right for those that are following the rules, then all you get is a bunch of good people that cant defend themselves.

I personally have no problem with guns. In fact I would feel safer if more people had them. Maybe it would make the criminals think a little more before they rob that house, shot that person, try to push people around, etc. Again criminals will always have weapons; we need to be able to defend ourselves.

If you look at the statistics of the UK (Gun ban) vs USA (guns) here is what you get:

Crime Stats per 100,000 people
4161 - US
7736 - Germany
6941 - France
9927 - England and Wales

So banning guns is not the solution, putting guns in the hands of those that are responsible is. I dont think owning guns has anything to do with how civilized a society is. I do not believe in harming others unless they are causing/posing harm to me. If you want to improve society, look at education, and closing the boarders.

Good topic. Enjoyed answering your questions. Thanks

Answer 4

I own several guns. Gun ownership has no bearing on how "civilized" a society is, never has and never will. Do I feel safer with a gun, considering the Police have no legal obligation to protect an individual member of society yes I KNOW I am safer with a gun. I don't own a gun to harm others UNLESS they demonstrate an intent to harm me or my family and in that case Society would be improved when that criminal is dealt with.
You "think" guns are for cowards? You're question(s) have proven that you DON'T think. Your opinions which you phrased as questions show's that you are just another closed minded idiot who could care less about facts.

Answer 5

I will neither confirm or deny the ownership of a weapon, but I do know this: Virgina has told women applying for Personal Protection Orders that they should get concealed weapons permits. I had a Secret Service Agent tell me he was wolf-packed one night. He pulled his weapon and the bad guys disappeared. We have had mountain lion attacks in this state. I never want to fight off a mountain lion with a knife or my bare hands. It takes thirty minutes for a deputy to respond in some places in this state, it takes a person thirty seconds to bleed out. Tookie Williams killed people that just handed over the money. The subway station in NYC had some guy stab four people, If their would have been people with a pistol they could have stopped the first stabbing.

I have never pulled a weapon on anyone and probably never will, but one of the things I learned in school was if a bully wants a fight you HAVE to be tougher than him and be able to go one step farther in the force continuum.

Personally, I believe just conceding whatever a bad guy wants is cowardess, we sacrifice an orderly society when criminals are allowed to run free. But if you want to be a victim go ahead, just leave those of us who like the idea of going home to our family alone.

Answer 6

I own guns.

I like target shooting.

I like knowing one is around if I need it. I don't live next door to a police department so if I called 911 it would take a little while for them to get there.

I have found having a gun makes me less apt to get in confrontations with people. The last thing in the world I want is to have to use it on someone.

If it makes me a coward so be it. But if my home is broken into, or someone is being attacked, I'll be the coward who is shooting back.

Answer 7

I own a gun and I am a far left liberal.

I believe in the right to own a gun for protection for several reasons:
1. I believe in our constitution and that gives us the right.
2. Too many criminals own guns; therefore, not being able to own a gun puts victims in a terrible vulnerable position.
3. I always carry a gun when I go camping in the mountain rough areas. I have sometimes actually had to shoot snakes that were aggressive.

The right to own a gun has nothing to do with believing in harming others. It has to do with the right to protect yourself and your family.

Answer 8

People who aren't willing to fight for their own survival let alone for that of their neighbors or country are the cowards. I have no respect for such people, because they want someone else to take care of them.

Guess what? The police aren't going to be of any help if you are looking a murderer/rapist/robber in the face in the middle of the night. They might be able to find your murderer/rapist/thief later, but that doesn't do you any good. You are already dead, brutalized, or poorer.

Who cares what owning a gun says about our society? Its hard to contribute to the improvement of society if you are DEAD! It would be nice to not have to own a gun, or have to lock my doors, or have a security system, but I do, because reality is reality. Does it make me feel safer? Darn right!

Even Peter Pan had a sword. And he...like you...lived in a fairy tale land.

Answer 9

no, but i own alot of knives :) ....if i ever do get a gun i will take classes to learn how to shoot it first....i understand why you think that guns are for cowards but you have to understand that in this day and age and this society, the gun laws only work on the law abiding...a criminal has no trouble at all getting a gun...if the criminals and the police are the only ones armed, how are people to protect their families? suppose Bush declared Marshall Law and there was a revolution? you would be cattle to be rounded up with no way to protect yourself....

Answer 10

No, I don't own one and would not feel safe with one in my home. Although I do admit that I would one day like to go to a shooting range and try and fire a gun, it's seems like it would be very empowering. I think that guns are not a necessity and that the world would be much better off if there were no guns to speak of.

Answer 11

Yes, I do feel safer.
Not just from some criminal. The right to own guns was guaranteed us in the Constitution to prevent some totalitarian government from taking over. What really scares me is the UN, under Annan trying to undermine our rights and become that totalitarian government.