Are you waiting for some sort of invasion? It seems like fear to me.
2006-07-07 09:36:12 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
"Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well armed sheep contesting the vote" -Benjamin Franklin
2006-07-07 09:39:46 · answer #1 · answered by wrf3k 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Firstly let me start by saying I was born & raised in England and emigrated as an adult, so my opinions and beliefs may not be representitive, but here goes...
People collect things, stamps, coins, in the US some (a small number) gun-owners collect historical guns - there is a special Federal (national) licence for this purpose.
I am not certain what "as many guns as possible" means. What is your limiting factor? Disposable income, storage space? For the people mentioned above, these would be the limiting factors, and the "why" is the same "why" as for stamps, coins - they want to complete their collection.
I don't think that is your intended question though. I think you are probably asking why gun ownership is popular in the US. There are many reasons for this...
1) It's legal. In fact our right to keep arms is enshrined within our constitution. Because of way the US was founded, the early governments felt that they ruled for the polulace, rather than over it... the 2nd Ammendment is intended to ensure it stays that way.
2) Shooting guns is fun. I've been shooting for 20+ years and never shot at anything other than paper targets. I still enjoy it.
3) A large part of the US is very rural. Hunting for many is about putting meat on the table, it is not a rich mans sport as it was in the UK for example.
4) _Generally_ it makes you safer. Really! In states where people commonly carry firearms for self protection, violent crime rates are lower. Now, this isn't universally true, in cities where there is a high density, poor population, easy availability of handguns can be a problem; but let's be clear - handgun violence in major US cities is a symptom of a bigger problem.
When I lived in the UK, I can honestly say there were times I was nervous walking after dark. Fights would erupt in and out of pubs, stabbings seemed commonplace - I myself was attacked on the street once for no reason. When I moved to a major US city, I was amazed at how much safer it seemed.
2006-07-07 17:17:24 · answer #2 · answered by SG 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our right to bear arms was promised in the constitution in order to assure that the people could defend themselves from enemies or from our own government. This seems silly now with all the gun laws and all the weapons the government has. We could never defend ourselves against our government even though the very rights we fought for to obtain independance are being stripped by our own government. The weapons our government has are so advanced that my 12 gauge would simply be a joke.
The right to bear arms is very limited, over taxxing has gone wild and separation between church and state is getting more and more infringed on every day.
Simply I don't see the point to it anymore.
2006-07-07 16:46:15 · answer #3 · answered by pammy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It only takes one gun to make the threat real.
In places where people are required to give them up, crime skyrockets. Human nature dictates some form of protection, and we're not all good with Karate.
Fear does make people react in bad ways, I will agree with you. I have a whole lot less fear when my firepower is available, and the intruder is aware of the possibility.
In terms of terrorism, I do think we could all take a chill pill, stop reporting the latest transmissions from Osama B. L., and stop reacting from fear. We should be RESPONDING to their fears, not reacting to their threats.
Thank you for reminding me...I need to clean my glock this weekend!
2006-07-07 16:47:49 · answer #4 · answered by Lion J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The whole idea of the paranoid over-armed American is not a million miles away from how the rest of the world percieves the American nation as a whole.
2006-07-07 16:49:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I owned a gun, it would be to protect myself, forget invasion, there are alot of psychos, crack heads, rapists, ect. who would kill me for the stupidest reasons. I think it's fine to own one, but I'm from Texas though, so go figure.
2006-07-07 16:40:23 · answer #6 · answered by kj 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why are you generalizing about Americans? Plently of us are against guns. If they were legal in your country the way they are legal here you would have the same situation there.
2006-07-07 16:40:21 · answer #7 · answered by trollunderthestairs 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because my Constitution says I can! Why are you foreigners so obsessed with our rights? I have to stop typing now, I'm going hunting this afternoon. God bless America!
2006-07-07 16:52:31 · answer #8 · answered by Nuke Lefties 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why are non-Americans always generalizing us and think every one of us are like a certain stereotype? It seems idiotic and childish to me.
2006-07-07 16:43:52 · answer #9 · answered by Make It Stop 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like my guns, I will keep my guns and if someone wants my guns they will have to get them from MY COLD DEAD HANDS!
2006-07-07 17:21:48 · answer #10 · answered by Stand 4 somthing Please! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋