In these uncertain times, shouldn't we ALL utilize our Right To Bear Arms and protect our homes?

Question

I was NEVER in favor of Gun Control and I am more in favor of EVERYONE having a gun now that the enemy is coming to our shores. Thoughts?

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070717/D8QEKKBG1.html
WASHINGTON (AP) - Al-Qaida is using its growing strength in Pakistan and Iraq to plot attacks on U.S. soil, heightening the terror threat facing the United States over the next few years, intelligence agencies concluded in a report unveiled Tuesday.

At the same time, the intelligence analysts worry that international cooperation against terrorism will be hard to sustain as memories of Sept. 11 fade and nations' views diverge on what the real threat is.

Answer 1

While I most certainly agree that a free society is an armed society I am not certain that we will ever get the chance to defend ourselves from terrorists, not on a personal level.

There is a good chance, where many of us live, that there are people there who actively aid or participate in islamofascist efforts. We may even know who they are, but confronting them with a weapon would not be wise, and it is doubtful they are going to come and attack your house, unless they can kill a few thousand people, that is their goal, really big causalities.

So while it is a good idea to be able to stop violence if needed, it is best in this case that we be ever vigilent. Pay attention to what is going around you, your neighbors, what you see at the mall, be aware of others, what they look like and what they are doing. See if you can learn to memorize numbers with a flash view, you see a car go by and something does not look right, can you recall the license number, make and color?

And when you do encounter something that is a crime, call the authorities. The police cannot prevent crime, they can only apprehend criminals after the crime has been committed. It is up to us to help where we can.

Answer 2

The problem with your argument is that in no way does the Second Amendment guarantee the inalienable right to bear arms. In fact it doesn't say that at all. The only way it says that at all is if you remove some words from it.

It says “a well-regulated militia, being necessary for the security of the free state... the government shall not infringe.” The words “regulated” and “militia” are in the first sentence. I don't think the Framers were thinking of a housewife in her bathrobe armed with a Tech 9.

To be perfectly honest with you, I’m not sure what the Framers were thinking. But I do know that if you combine the populations of Great Britain, France, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark and Australia you've got a population roughly the size of the United States. We had 32,000 gun deaths last year and they had 112. Do you think it's because Americans are more homicidal by nature? Or do you think it's because those guys have gun control laws.

Not to mention the fact that I fail to see how more lenient gun-control laws has anything to do with 9-11. Are you suggesting that we let anyone who boards a plane in this country carry a weapon on the off-chance that the flight might be hi-jacked? And if so, who do we allow on board with guns and who do we disarm? If and when Al-Queda attacks again, they won't do it by breaking down doors with guns in their hands. They'll do it on a much larger level. These people are terrorists, not armed invaders. They're looking for the big picture. And the reason I know this is out of the three thousand some-odd people who died during 9-11, none of them died of a gunshot wound.

I think what we need is a sharper government and we need better ideas on how to cut these people off before they strike. England just thwarted two terrorist attacks. England also has very strict gun-control laws. Arming every citizen and giving them a reason to shoot first and ask questions later is not the solution to peace and prosperity. It's the beginning of all-out anarchy.

You want to protect your home and your family? So do I. I don't know many people who don't and I don't know many people, myself included, who if their family and loved ones were in danger wouldn't make sure whoever was threatening their well-being wouldn't be doing so under a hail of bullets. The problem with that theory is guns do provide a hedge of protection. However they also provide a threat... to children and within the possibility that they could fall into the wrong hands.

We need to have faith in our leaders that if and when the enemy does attack, they will provide the proper defense. This means when the enemy is running free in Afghanistan, you don't go wage war in Iraq. With a 32% and dropping approval rating, I think most Americans are more and more concerned with the fact that our leaders are in no way equipped to protect this nation of ours.

Thankfully, we do have choices. We can elect a leader who may have some fresh new ideas on protecting our safety and well being. Rather than engaging in pettiness on why we don't like these people for whatever personal reasons, maybe we should all spend time on our knees asking God to grant wisdom to those with power, power to those with wisdom and patience for the rest of us who are sick of half-assed solutions and a gung-ho bravado that isn't helping anything.

Answer 3

I think your on the right track. I beleive it and I speak it. If Jesus Christ tarries his comming and things continue on at the pace they are it is my conviction that you will be forced to defend your very home. I am not a doomsday sayer nor am I a prophet but just look around. Crime increasing at a breakneck speed, not enough lawenforcement, and when they do enforce the law and make a split second decision someone wants to file a lawsuit and send them to prison. It is a proven fact that when the concealled carry laws went into effect in some states in the U.S. crime did decrease.

Let me say this. I do not advocate every American Citizen to own a handgun, I beleive in background checks and waiting periods. We should take every precaution before putting a firearm into the hands of someone who cant control their temper, or someone who has proven they want to harm others. I would never condone killing/murder. However I stand for the rights of Law abidding citizens to protect themselves in their own homes, vehicles, or protect their person by what ever means necessary. I am a card carring member of the Concealled Carry Club, and I draw my line at my nose, my front door and my automobile.

If you have never owned a firearm I would strongly suggest you contact your local Sherriffs office for information. They can direct you as to trianing classes being offered. Many times you will find that one of the deputies may in fact be a firearms instructor. If your local S/O cant help you, you can always contact the NRA ( National Rifle Association )

Always be sure of your target and your backstop! Never pull it if you dont intend to use it!

I pray you never see the instance where using a firearm would be a choice for you. Yet there is nothing wrong with being prepared.

d

Answer 4

Yesterday, there was a story in the news from the FBI. It said terrorists are using the southern border to enter the U.S. They are going to places in New Mexico, Texas, Arizona. I live 5 miles or less from one of the most pourous areas for illegal crossings in the U.S. I'm thinking I need more than just a gun.

I'm literally begging our elected officials to enforce the laws and they simply will not do it.

Del Rio is west of San Antonio. This is from Rep. John Culberson, TX:
“The Del Rio sector is now closed to illegal immigrants thanks to the initiative of local Federal District Judge Alia Ludlum and Border Patrol Chief Randy Hill. In their sector, they are no longer tolerating illegal aliens coming into the United States and they are insisting that the law be enforced.

“The effect has been dramatic. They are arresting, prosecuting, and locking up every illegal alien for six months and then deporting them. Before Operation Streamline began, they had about 7000 aliens illegally crossing the border every month from countries other than Mexico. Last month they had about twenty.

“This proves we can protect the border with existing laws and existing resources. Once word got out that illegal aliens were being prosecuted, illegal crossings plummeted. Law enforcement works and it is protecting our communities and our nation.

“Unfortunately there is a systematic and deliberate refusal to enforce immigration laws along the rest of the border. It’s outrageous and I will not rest until our borders are secure and we have zero tolerance from Brownsville to San Diego.”

One shining star in this mess! This is proof that we can close the border. If we don't we're asking for serious trouble.

Answer 5

Our guns are for hunting. They are kept locked in a gun safe.
Our ammunition is kept locked in a separate safe. They are used responsibly. My husband is a retired law enforcement officer. His pistol is unloaded at all times and locked in the safe.
If our nation is invaded or attacked by terrorists, we will be glad to lend our marksmanship capabilities to our nation's defense.
Until then, our guns will be taken out only in hunting season. But, if the government can use the prevalence of gun ownership in these wonderful states as a deterrent to terrorists, I say let them. Terrorists are naive if they believe Americans are too weak to fight back.
I think our greatest weakness is not a lack of weaponry, but an insecure border.

Answer 6

Even though America has the most"Anti-gun"administration in its' history,I do not feel the voters will EVER allow the lawmakers to succeed in taking our right to posses,or own guns away.The Dem's' have tried this before,and had their butts kicked royally! Even the U.N.is in the process of drafting proposals directed at all countries banning firearms in a back-door attempt to get our president to sign it as a "Treaty",and there-by by-passing the American voter.You ask what I will do if this ever takes place.My answer is,I will do whatever it takes to overcome this action,not taking ANYTHING off the table.I will spend every cent I can get to fight against it.Any American who believes in their Constitution,and The Bill of Rights will fight this till the death.That,sir,is my only answer.

Answer 7

I live in Alaska where not having a gun could mean getting mauled by a bear. However, I also have some other rifles that would come in handy if the Russians ever decide to hop the Bering Straight.

Answer 8

I've never lived in a home without at least one gun, except perhaps when we were first married in the late 1960s and early 1970s! I have always kept a loaded gun in the house, like my father before me! My father, brother, one sister, both brothers-in-law, my father-in-law and I have always been hunters, my wife and both sons have done some hunting. There has never been a hunting accident in any of our homes, nor an accident with a gun! All of us were always taught to respect guns, always expect them to be loaded, even if we "knew" they weren't, to never point at something we didn't intend to shoot; *never* take the safety off until ready to shoot and to *never* shoot - even if we had to let a game animal get away - if there was *any* chance of accidentally shooting a person.

I have hunted deer, turkey, squirrels, grouse, quail, rabbits, groundhogs, pigeons and starlings in town, with special permit. I have also had to shoot as many as 19 opossums and two raccoons killing my chickens and ducks; as well as other varmints eating my gardens or threatening my home (in case they were there because they were rabid).

I have not *yet* applied for a "concealed carry" permit; since Ohio finally passed a law legalizing it; but I feel I will need to do so soon! If our current Democrat governor makes the stupid mistake of trying to ban guns in this State, he won't last out his first term; because we will have a recall vote before many of us would even *think* about giving up our "right to keep and bear arms"!

If we withdraw our troops from Iraq prematurely, I'll definitely get a handgun, pay to take the training and get my "concealed carry" permit before the Presidential Election in November!

BTW: I'm an honorably discharged US Army veteran (Berlin Wall/Cuban Crisis) - probably before the parents of many of the current crop of Defeat-o-crat's, even knew they would someday have kids! I took a quick glance at a couple other answers - it just makes me more determined to *never* give up my guns! No one can truthfully claim to support the troops, if they say, out of the other side of their mouth, "I just don't support the mission!" If anyone believes *that* they are self-deluded and are just as dangerous as Al-Qaida!

Answer 9

The 2ND amendment is one of THE most important of all....and the libs are trying to find any way they can to do away with it.....the thought of millions of average everyday citizens armed is just chilling to them....and will get in the way if they ever try for a total takeover of this country....the day they outlaw my protection for my family is the day I will become an outlaw....don't depend on the police to be there on time to help you....you have to stand up and take care of yourself.....

Answer 10

I completely agree that all good law abiding citizens should avail themselves of the God given rights we have in this country.

My preference if you recall is the .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, but I am certain a fine citizen such as yourself could easily learn to handle it.