guns or no guns?

Anti-gun

(And I'm American BTW). I can't even fathom just going to a gun range for fun.

shooting outside is way better imo.

Hell yeah! Know what's even more fun? Filling up empty laundry detergent containers and shooting those. They're pretty spectacular when they explode.

I do not understand Americans' obsession with guns. And yes, it's an obsession -- glancing over the replies here, we aren't talking about something sensible like about owning a rifle or two for hunting deer. No, we're talking about egotistical, fearful idiots who think they're Vigilante McJustice, when in reality they're one step removed from James Holmes.

What the hell are you so scared about that you need a gun to "protect" yourself from?

Here, let's look at some numbers. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/lcod.htm/
Leading causes of death: Heart disease. Cancer. Hey, I'll give you some credit -- being this is a fitness site foremost, you're probably doing something about #1. Great. But the rest of that? Where do guns come in against these actual, legitimate threats to your life?

I hate to break it to you, but your gun is never going to protect you from your phobia(s). Sure, arm yourself to the teeth in the meantime -- I'm sure it makes you feel really, really tough. Great job, Rambo.

You're still a paranoid lunatic.

Who am I so scared of? How about the drug dealer across the street who draws a rather sketchy element to the neighborhood? How about the fact that there are people who break into other's home just to hurt them? Or rape them? Yeah the odds of that happening are slim but why the hell should I have to take any chances because somebody else doesn't want me owning a gun? If someone were to break into my home with malicious intent shall I lay there getting raped or in a pool of my own blood just to make you happy? Because I won't.

Pro

I own a gun. I guess I'm pro gun. Guns don't kill, people do. If they don't have guns they will use something else like hijacking a bus and plowing it into a crowd of people. If guns were illegal and no one own one, do you think the number of burglaries and home invasions would go up?

For real people, do you really think that the psyco rule breakers are going to be like oh darn they banned guns guess I cant go on a shooting spree today, let me turn Iin my legal guns in and just go out for a burger!!!:grumble:

Pro Gun

(and for the comment of Johnny crackhead breaking into steal my xbox or whatever, how do I know what his intent is, he committed the crime of breaking in in the first place and as soon as the police clear the scene I will go right back to bed and sleep soundly with my back up gun by my nightstand until they police return my primary fire arm).

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To set the record straight fully automatic rifles have been illegal since the 1930's unless you are able to obtain a class III firearms permit which is extremely hard to come by.

Excellent - so if they are illegal, criminals won't use them?

Sort of a stupid question since by definition a criminal has no regard for the law.

I have very good control of my guns, so PRO.

If there were no guns how would my family bond? And one person in that theater with a gun could have stopped that sicko before that many people died.

True, but the theater specifically bans guns and the law abiding gun carrying citizens did the right thing and did not bring them in, per the law.

Remember your words if you or your family are ever the victims of violent crime. It may not be very likely to happen, but if it does, your lives can be shattered in an instant. Some of us choose to be prepared for that possibility.

Have you given any though as to how you would deal with the emotional fallout? Say Johnny Crackhead breaks into your house to steal you PlayStation and you put a bullet in his head. How do you live with that?

I would not hesitate or loose a moments sleep about it.

In this case, if all he wanted was the playstation then ****, let him have it and report it to the police. I am pro-gun, but would only shoot as a LAST resort. If he said he acting like he was just stealing something I may try to talk him out of it but if he pulled a gun and didn't seem he was going to shoot, I'd let him have it and go on his way and remember what he looks like and report it. The class I took for concealed carry, I was told ONLY to shoot if your life was threatened. I'm assuming if some guy is breaking into your house and just stealing something, and didn't actually threaten you in anyway, your LIFE is not threatened therefore you do not have the right to shoot. Like I said, it's a material thing that you could buy again. Sucks losing it, but I'd rather lose it than shoot someone and regret that for the rest of my life thinking "What if he wouldn't have come after me and he was JUST going to steal? Is that fair to end his life?" No. And even then, you aren't supposed to shoot to kill unless it's LAST resort.

Remember your words if you or your family are ever the victims of violent crime. It may not be very likely to happen, but if it does, your lives can be shattered in an instant. Some of us choose to be prepared for that possibility.

Have you given any though as to how you would deal with the emotional fallout? Say Johnny Crackhead breaks into your house to steal you PlayStation and you put a bullet in his head. How do you live with that?

http://abcnews.go.com/US/okla-woman-shoots-kills-intruder911-operators-shoot/story?id=15285605

Here is a PRIME example to answer your question. This girl saved her own life and the life of her newborn child when 2 guys broke into her home after learning through obituaries that her husband had died of cancer several days prior.

PRO GUN...PRO GUN EDUCATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For many reasons, not just home protection and hunting. It's about so much more than that, and I am always shocked when other Americans do not understand that.

Remember your words if you or your family are ever the victims of violent crime. It may not be very likely to happen, but if it does, your lives can be shattered in an instant. Some of us choose to be prepared for that possibility.

Have you given any though as to how you would deal with the emotional fallout? Say Johnny Crackhead breaks into your house to steal you PlayStation and you put a bullet in his head. How do you live with that?

I think the critical point you make is "HOW DO YOU LIVE" and quite fine knowing Johnny Crackhead was alread committing a crime during which I am sure he was not wearing a sign that said I am only here for the Playstation. At what point do I full understand his intent; before or after he kills me?

The problem with this question is that it ignores the nuances associated with the question regarding of the value of guns. It creates the illusion of a two sided argument that feeds into exactly everything wrong with the current American political climate. Guns or no guns is a political question and it's not just yes or no.

I'm sure Dr. Petit wished he was home with a gun when those psychopaths invaded his house, raped his wife and daughters, tied them to the bed and set them on fire.