Should we make everyone carry guns?

Question

I think every voting, law-abiding, taxpaying American should be required to carry a gun. They should have to take a course and have a special card they carry like a driver's license. If you refuse to carry, you could be denied access to certain government buildings, programs, or positions. Also, if you are pulled over for a routine traffic stop, the cop should ask to see your license, registration, proof of insurance, and your piece. If you don't have it with you, or it's unloaded, you get an automatic $150 fine. Furthermore, if you witness a crime, a question the DA should ask in court is, "Did you draw your firearm? No? Aren't you aware that you must take action to prevent a crime if you witness one?"

Think what it would be like to be a criminal in a society where everyone was packin' heat and knew how to use it...

Answer 1

I don't support mandating it, but I think your train of thought is in the right direction. It's been said many times that laws are only for law abiding citizens. If a lawbreaker wants a gun, he will get one, even if they are illegal. Gun control is a bad idea. We should do the exact opposite. If I gave a gun to a decent law abiding citizen, do you think that would turn him into a murderer? Of course not. Law abiding citizens carrying guns is a good deterent to crime. I would like to see the government (state, local, or federal) to actively encourage gun ownership. Holding somebody accountable for not using their gun when a crime is being committed is too radical I believe, however.

Answer 2

Hmm... interesting idea, good motive but forgive me if I think the idea will defeat the purpose.

Consider that the gun is a dangerous weapon. Consider also that if everyone has it, there is a temptation to abuse it. Also, consider that kids will be able to pack heat with a little intelligence and nimble fingers.

I'm from Malaysia and though many things have been said about this country, one thing they get right about gun control.

First, they only allow specific people access to firearms: the police, military people and people in plantations who might have to deal with dangerous animals. The common person can in no way get their hands on such a weapon. There is also a need for a permit if you're having a known lethal weapon like a katana or army knife. Perhaps if that is done, the chances for brutal murders might be a bit less.

Unfortunately, in the end, to stop crime entirely, you have to get to the root of bad human nature itself and THAT is a significant challenge.

Don't give up hope for the ideal. :)

Answer 3

Obviously you haven't thought this through. If everyone carried a gun how many fender benders will turn into murder scenes? How many road rage incidents will turn into a scene out of a movie with one spass chasing down another spass firing rounds as they go? Besides with more guns on the street the cops already trigger happy will become extremely trigger happy and I wouldn't blame them. I prefer the more civilized approach get rid of the assault rifles and the damn hand guns. Hunting rifles and shot guns are okay for hunting purposes and I wouldn't mind giving permits to collectors but they could only use there guns at the range and sell only to other permit owners. In case you think I'm a anti-gun nut I own an M-1 carbine so I would have to get that permit or sell it to someone with a permit so I would feel the pain too, I just believe in the greater good not my own selfishness.

Answer 4

In each and every state or city the position carry helps are issued crime has gone down. In Tennessee or a minimum of in my county one ought to get a enable to carry via the sheriff's dept. there's a secure practices direction one ought to bypass besides as objective prepare. the human beings at VT responsible for there gun regulations should be presented up on rates. Contributing to the demise of better than 10 or 15 human beings. -%. a range-.I were given my first 22 rifle even as i changed into 14. by the point i changed into 16 i ought to force a nail with it. If different "reliable ol' boys" at VT does no longer were obeying "there regulations" who knows how lots of those childrens may be alive in the present day. that is reliable to understand that there is others available that experience the same as I do about about stupid gun administration regulations.

Answer 5

Its a good idea but I think it goes a little too far. Just let people who want to spend the time to get trained and certified carry a gun anywhere. Then 2-3% of people have a gun but the crooks dont know which 2-3%. Makes being a crook hard.

Answer 6

If it's a joke, then it may be right, but as a matter of fact, small arms are considered as the weapons of mass destruction in slow motion. These weapons kill more people in a year than were actually killed by the atomic bombs dropped over Hiroshima and Nagasaki together. A small arm may be taken as a deterrant but to me it is a great risk. I consider it to be a greater risk than being confronted by a criminal himself. Whilst a criminal might have come to take away your valuables and leave, but seeing your PIECE, he might take a responsive measure which might put your life and the lives of those dependant on you at risk. Moreover, when you have a weapon with you, it gives you a temptation to fire it. So try reconciling on what you think!

Answer 7

I absolutely agree! England is one of the most violent crime ridden countries in the world and it's because the citizens can not carry guns. Look at the most violent crime ridden cities here in the US, the cities with the STRICTEST gun laws are the most violent. It has been proven time and time again that guns save lives. As a woman who travels a lot and in nice vehicles, I ALWAYS carry my SigSauer P229 with an extra LOADED magazine and with a LOADED magazine in the weapon with an "admin" load. It's ready to go. I've had extensive training and I shoot almost every weekend at the range.

Answer 8

Here is my explanation of why I think this is a bad idea. In general, when we are interacting with each other in person we are fairly polite to each other for the most part. I think most people would agree with that. However, when we are in our cars, I think we are much nastier with each other than we would be in person. I think part of that reason is that you feel you have a powerful weapon at hand, your 3000+ pound car. So, perhaps, a weapon in hand makes us more brazen. So I vote it would be bad. My logic could be flawed. Perhaps more of the reason we are mean in the car is that its a more impersonal reaction, you see someone a brief moment then never again, plus you feel safe in your big metal cage (although you could argue the gun is doing the same). Just my thoughts.

Answer 9

Love the concept however there are to many spineless people out there. Most the anti gun people convieniently ignore the fact that in every state that has enacted shall issue gun permit laws the crime rates have declined.

Answer 10

Bad idea, this country is about freedom and personal choice. I've known some very responsible folks that cant shoot worth s**t. I would hate to know they were carrying a loaded firearm.

:-) I like your thinking though.