Another reason to support the right to arms...?

the more you try to restrict or prohibit something, the more the people will go against it...defiance is part of human nature...

i live in florida and we have the "stand your ground" law...our rate of violent crime has gone down...

i do believe that not everyone should have a gun, however i don't believe the government should take that right away from everyone just because of the few, idiotic, irresponsible morons that act the fool...

i own a rifle, used to own several, my brother in law owns 3 rifles and 2 handguns...we keep them locked in a gun safe, we never let the kids around them...in short we are responsible owners...

RyuJin wrote: the more you try to restrict or prohibit something, the more the people will go against it...defiance is part of human nature...

i live in florida and we have the "stand your ground" law...our rate of violent crime has gone down...

i do believe that not everyone should have a gun, however i don't believe the government should take that right away from everyone just because of the few, idiotic, irresponsible morons that act the fool...

i own a rifle, used to own several, my brother in law owns 3 rifles and 2 handguns...we keep them locked in a gun safe, we never let the kids around them...in short we are responsible owners...

Dude, I hear you.

I got a relatively modest collection, a Remington 12 gauge, Marlin .30-06, Ruger .22 Revolver, and .45 ACP 1911, and I keep them stored responsibly, use them responsibly, and carry them responsibly. I know the responsibility that gun ownership is, and I know not to act like a jackass with my guns, and I thank Odin that I live in a country that is not a nanny state and that understands personal responsibility .

As to the species of exercise, I advise the gun. While this gives a moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body, and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks.- Thomas Jefferson.

TJ said that? Might have to heed his words...or get arrested for carrying a gun around, whatever.

My how far we've come.

Desolous wrote: TJ said that? Might have to heed his words...or get arrested for carrying a gun around, whatever.

My how far we've come.

Actually, my fellow Alabamian, in our state, open carry is legal, though do so at your own risk. Really unnecessary when concealed carry permits are easy to get.

This is a topic which has popped up time and time again in just about any discussion forum one can imagine. And each side always has good points to be made! I think that the real question is which side of the debate one falls on? I posted this earlier in the thread so that people have the opportunity to understand my personal views on this topic:

The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the right of the individual to keep and bear firearms.

The right to arm oneself is viewed as a personal liberty to deter undemocratic or oppressive governing bodies from forming and to repel impending invasions. Furthermore, the right to bear arms was instituted within the Bill of Rights to suppress insurrection, participate and uphold the law, enable the citizens of the United States to organize a militia, and to facilitate the natural right to self-defense.

The Second Amendment was developed as a result of the tyrannous rule of the British parliament. Colonists were often oppressed and forced to pay unjust taxes at the hand of the unruly parliament. As a result, the American people yearned for an Amendment that would guarantee them the right to bear arms and protect themselves against similar situations. The Second Amendment was drafted to provide for the common defense and the general welfare of the United States through the ability to raise and support militias.

I have highlighted different sections to emphasize the importance as viewed by myself. I can see how any group of people who did not stem from a similar background could have a very different stand on the subject. I can also understand how the desire to not have stupid things done by people doing stupid things would cause doubt in the continued practice of such an amendment.

That being said and all other things put aside… in our society it is up to the population to govern itself through representation enacted through our electoral system via “the vote.” And to ensure that a person, group or party does not have the ability to threaten our civil liberties we are charged by our forefathers with the right to bear arms in our, and our country’s defense. Being one that has served in my country’s military forces I take my personal responsibility to myself, my country and my fellow man very seriously.

I also feel that debates of this nature will continue forever! Even if there were no firearms available, or if they had never even existed, we would debate over the next voluntary device of portable destruction. What I really see as the issue being debated is not rather firearms are safe, should be available to the public, owned or even allowed to continue to exist; but, a minimal of two different mindsets. On one hand there is the group that believes the individual is not capable of acting in the best interest of all parties and those that believe it is the individual’s personal responsibility to try. Honestly, I know that there will always be some person out there doing something stupid that will raise the eyebrows of those that witness it or hear of it, but that is part of the experience of existence. Yes it is messy sometimes. Yes there are times when people will do dumb things. Yes, no matter what, there will always be someone somewhere being hurt or killed for no good reason. Stuff happens, it sucks and my heart goes out to those negatively affected by others negligence or stupidity.

I keep them stored responsibly, use them responsibly, and carry them responsibly. I know the responsibility that gun ownership is, and I know not to act like a jackass

You see, that's something I do not understand. Here we do not have to store them responsibly. We do not have to use them responsibly. We do not have to carry them responsibly. And we do not have to worry about whether other people do those things responsibly, or have to arm ourselves in the eventuality that they don't...

ren wrote:

I keep them stored responsibly, use them responsibly, and carry them responsibly. I know the responsibility that gun ownership is, and I know not to act like a jackass

You see, that's something I do not understand. Here we do not have to store them responsibly. We do not have to use them responsibly. We do not have to carry them responsibly. And we do not have to worry about whether other people do those things responsibly, or have to arm ourselves in the eventuality that they don't...

I don't think I have ever seen it put better than this

I agree ren. There you do not have those things to concern yourself with. I could be mistaken, but I don’t think the average person is even able to get a firearm there. I am not familiar with the laws, but I think you can only have them if you are a hunter and get some kind of special license. But, I also don’t believe that the “founding fathers” in your country felt it necessary to have the citizens of that country shoulder the burden of keeping its future governments in check. Part of the reason that Americans have the second amendment is to do just that.

This was also a country which was started with violence and from violence as the European settlers forged a new life out of a wild frontier. Where, before the bill of rights was even written it was paramount that her citizens possess and maintain firearms as a means of daily survival. And because of that the rebelling colonies were able to wage war against what they felt to be an oppressive rule. And don’t forget, it was France that came to the aid of that fletching group as they fought for their independence. And the newly named American people were praised by the French people for their bravery and ability to wage and engage in such an endeavor. And if memory serves, didn’t France have a “revolution” of her own some years after? I wonder if the French people that fought in that revolution had firearms or just threw rocks?

(that last comment was meant to annoy ren)

Sure, but firearms certainly arent the only thing that you have to use responsibly and find it is important other people doing the same.

The same could be said for an automobile.

How many drunk drivers the world over kill others?