Er... personally I am always amazed that conservatives heads don't explode from the massive cognitive dissonance.
A kid raped by her father who gets an abortion is a despicable murderer. But... we should arm more people with guns whose only real purpose is to kill another human being.
Life is sacred 'till you're born. Then you're fair game?
But... we should arm more people with guns whose only real purpose is to kill another human being.
This Pandora's box has been open for a very long time. I'm afraid that even hope will escape it should we try to close it.
The mere existence of these weapons in the population makes them a deterrent for some crimes against the elderly and disabled. Even if it isn't a deterrent for some criminals, I would rather see the scumbag criminal breaking into an old person's home die than the old person getting killed, robbed, or otherwise abused. Dead criminals don't commit additional crimes.
Unfortunately, none of those arguments are valid when put in the light of the overwhelming evidence coming from other countries that don't have guns.
This leaves the only true reason why guns are so prevalent in the US. People who own guns like the feeling of personal power that they give. However, in a sane society regulators will recognize the consequences of this and act accordingly. Unfortunately in the US the vested interests in the gun lobby are so strong th
If allowing gun ownership is a matter of ethical principle and human rights, than the "rate of gun deaths" and other such evidence is pretty much irrelevant.
If free speech cost lives, what death rate would convince us to abandon that right? 1%?
The correct answer, of course, is that the risk is irrelevant. Self defense (and free speech) is the right and perview, first and foremost, of the individual, and shouldn't be taken away based on comparative statistics.
If I use a gun to kill a poisonous snake about to bite me when I'm changing a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, how does respect come into play?
If a farmer or rancher uses a gun to kill a coyote ravaging his livestock, how does respect come into play?
If a hiker/camper fires a gun to scare away a bear that is charging him, how does respect come into play?
If I hold at gunpoint, or shoot, a criminal, committing a criminal act against me, why should I have or show any respect for the person who has already sh
"Commiting a Criminal act" So what you believe that someone picks your pocket or in some way commits a none violent crime you've the right to execute him? Or an act of GBH he deserves to die? There seems to be a complete lack of understanding in the value of a human life. If it must be decided it should be by vote by figures in a position of power. Individuals cannot be allowed to decide whether another individual lives or dies......no matter the crime
Just a show of force is usually enough to deter the rogue pick-pocket/purse-snatcher. Been there, done that, in Times Square, NY actually. Had some cat paying more attention to my camera than he was to me. I tucked the camera under my jacket, he then went from looking at my camera to looking at my face, to looking at the menacing way I was now holding my tripod. He turned and walked the other way. If you are aware of your suroundings, you can generally detect potential threats and avoid/prevent a situation from even starting. If someone is already in the act of something, how can you determine how far they will go. I don't want to die or end up in a hospital because someone is a crack-head.
God, please let this be true. (Score:5, Funny)
I want to see liberals' heads explode when they realize that Socialized medicine is being used to buy people guns.
LK
Re: (Score:5, Insightful)
A kid raped by her father who gets an abortion is a despicable murderer. But... we should arm more people with guns whose only real purpose is to kill another human being.
Life is sacred 'till you're born. Then you're fair game?
Re: (Score:5, Interesting)
But... we should arm more people with guns whose only real purpose is to kill another human being.
This Pandora's box has been open for a very long time. I'm afraid that even hope will escape it should we try to close it.
The mere existence of these weapons in the population makes them a deterrent for some crimes against the elderly and disabled. Even if it isn't a deterrent for some criminals, I would rather see the scumbag criminal breaking into an old person's home die than the old person getting killed, robbed, or otherwise abused. Dead criminals don't commit additional crimes.
If guns were banned t
Absolutely correct (Score:-1, Flamebait)
...if you were arguing strictly from logic.
Unfortunately, none of those arguments are valid when put in the light of the overwhelming evidence coming from other countries that don't have guns.
This leaves the only true reason why guns are so prevalent in the US. People who own guns like the feeling of personal power that they give. However, in a sane society regulators will recognize the consequences of this and act accordingly. Unfortunately in the US the vested interests in the gun lobby are so strong th
Re: (Score:5, Insightful)
If free speech cost lives, what death rate would convince us to abandon that right? 1%?
The correct answer, of course, is that the risk is irrelevant. Self defense (and free speech) is the right and perview, first and foremost, of the individual, and shouldn't be taken away based on comparative statistics.
Re: (Score:2)
"Gun ownership" is neither an ethical issue nor any thing to do with human rights.
Human rights and ethics are about respecting people. Freedom of speech is good example of this, requiring that we respect to opinions of others.
No matter how you use it, a gun is not about respect.
Re: (Score:5, Insightful)
If I use a gun to kill a poisonous snake about to bite me when I'm changing a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, how does respect come into play?
If a farmer or rancher uses a gun to kill a coyote ravaging his livestock, how does respect come into play?
If a hiker/camper fires a gun to scare away a bear that is charging him, how does respect come into play?
If I hold at gunpoint, or shoot, a criminal, committing a criminal act against me, why should I have or show any respect for the person who has already sh
Re: (Score:0)
"Commiting a Criminal act" ...no matter the crime
So what you believe that someone picks your pocket or in some way commits a none violent crime you've the right to execute him?
Or an act of GBH he deserves to die?
There seems to be a complete lack of understanding in the value of a human life. If it must be decided it should be by vote by figures in a position of power. Individuals cannot be allowed to decide whether another individual lives or dies...
Re:Absolutely correct (Score:2)