No, Stijn

not a requirement. A basic right.

I actualy live in a quite safe area. I very rarely need to go anywhere that is particularly dangerous.

My basic argument is that I believe I have a right to defend myself and that I believe the best method is a handgun.

Your view seems to be, if the guns are taken away at the very least the problem of shootings will diminish. Utopian claptrap as Isa has already said. Just look at the UK where handguns were banned a few years ago. Shootings have risen dramatically.

Take my legally owned handguns and I shall obtain them illegally, just as criminals do. Worse case scenario I can always build for myself. A handgun is mechanically very simple, the hardest part would be making consistent ammunition from scratch. Perhaps I should stockpile now?

Richard said it... the debate and arguements will never end...

i can only comment from where i'm at... i don't need a handgun, and i don't see why i would need the right to own one either...

to me it's a right that comes with an outspoken responsibility, a responsibilit which many people are not cut out for ( don't get me wrong , not saying any of you aren't responsible) ... nor is it impossible for any authority to assertain who is and who isn't capable of beeing responsible and clearheaded enough...

same applies to cars... everybody calls it a right ... but it does require a licence... and it's easier to test if somebody is fit to operate a car ( although some clearly manage to obtain a licence when they are complete idiots behind the wheel).. it's also easier to verify if somebody operating a car actually has a valid licence.. can't do that with guns... since it's not visible untill somebody starts shooting....

i'm especially against handguns.. since those can be carried concealed... and are easier to be used as offensive weapons.. for home defence.. a simple shotgun is enough...
defence on the public roads and walkways.. a handgun raises more problems than solutions... stray bullets, difficulty to determine who started shooting, law enforment people unable to do their job because everything they do risks them a bullet in the head....

it really surprises me how anybody would want to be a cop in a country where everybody is a potential shooter... it doesn't surprise me why they turn in to gung-ho fanatics... because if they don't .. they're dead..

over here , cops are like sheep compared to in the US... they'll keep adressing a person with extreme patience and politeness even if the suspect is acting weird they keep talking diplomatically... it takes a long time till they resort to action here... they can actually afford it a lot more here...

can't deny, that somehow .. the countries with strict gun control
are safer, the statistics are there and can't be ignored ....

A wooly ba ba sheep, volunteering to be sheared;)
Lamb cutlets on the menu;)

"statistics are there and can't be ignored"

ah yes, not understanding the issue would be, shear ignorance. :cool:

I noticed that when I start waving my gun around in the car as I am driving down the highway..people get outa my way....and I get home faster....

Ever notice that the police show up after the robbery and not during....

When you bleeding heart liberals get all the criminals to give up their guns, I think you will be able to make a better argument for lawful gun owners to give up theirs. I do not have a gun presently, but am glad that any potential theives have to guess. I think you guys would make a better argument if you put large signs in your front yard that says "Gun Free Home!" I dare you! Prove your point..lets see if statistics bear out that you are as safe as those where the bad guys must feel at risk.
I'll bet some of those peaceful 800,000 folks in Rwanda wished they had guns as they watched their familes and entire town hacked to death with Machettees (in less than 100 days). Laughingly, they thought the pantywaist UN would protect them. Alas, they were too busy getting rich off the "Food for Oil " program.

Out of curiosity...

If you had your own children in school (K-13) how would you feel knowing up to 50% of the teachers were carrying guns to and from school? (Therefore assuming the teacher would not leave it in the car but would be carrying it in their bag).

Would you feel anxious/outraged/relieved?

Is this possible where you live?

Mark

In most places, firearms are not allowed within a certain distance around a school. I remember, a few years back when a pricipal ran several blocks to where his car was parked off school property, got his gun, returned, and prevented a shooting. Good thing he had one.
when I was growing up, we brought shotguns and rifles to school for "show and tell." Almost all of us either carried a pocket knife or wore a sheath knife to school without incident. They were just tools to us. I even carried a pocket knife with a 4 inch blade in my pocket whenever I travelled on a aircraft..until 9-11.

Well actually you do. You were within an arms reach of it when I gave you a ride home. I've carried in every vehicle I've owned (sometimes legal sometimes not). But I don't have children or other's in my house that I have to consider. I don't feel "safer" being armed just "prepared".

I am not a big fan of Guns in the hands of the typical private citizen (because the typical private citizen is a stupid, angry dumb asss)....but it worked for this woman in Detroit.

Of course...it was Detroit. I grew up there. Its not pleasant.

http://www.freep.com/news/latestnews/pm19339_20040414.htm

Woman kills attacker; 8 shootings claim 4 lives

Wednesday, April 14, 2004

BY CECIL ANGEL
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

A woman shot an armed man to death Tuesday after he attacked her as she was entering her east-side Detroit home, police said.
The woman, who owns a car dealership, was at the side door of her home in the 15200 block of Troester at 7:45 p.m. when a man ran up behind her brandishing a nickel-plated handgun, Officer Derek Jones said.

"He said, 'I got you,"' Jones said.

She tried to shut her screen door, but he pulled it open and began shoving her into the house, police said. As they struggled, she pulled a handgun from her purse and fired about five shots, Jones said.

The man fell to the ground between the door and the driveway.

Jones said the man was 42 years old and had a criminal record for breaking and entering homes. Police declined to release his name pending notification of his relatives.

Jones said the woman had a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

Detroit police said citywide, at least eight people were shot in less than four hours Tuesday night. At least four of them were killed in the incidents which included a carjacking and an incident police said was drug related.