[Bring_Back_Shantz]

I don't want to start a big gun debate but I suppose I will.
I am a responsible gun owner/user. I have two (sometimes more) guns in my home that I use for hunting (a rifle and a shot gun). But as far as having a gun to protect your family or your home, I don't buy it, and I doubt it is even effective.
Firstly, the law states that your gun must be locked up (eiter in a case or with a trigger lock), and that the ammunition has to be kept in a seperate locked location. I think these laws are fine, and quite frankly something that shouldn't have to be a law, it should be common sense to any responsible gun owner. So if someone is breaking into your house, is it feasible that you'll be able to get to your guns, unlock them, get the ammuntion and load your gun in time to protect anything? Probably not. So guns that are properly stored are pretty much useless for this purpose. If you've got a loaded .44 under your pillow then sure it'll probalby do you some good, but what kind of risk is that?

Anyway, all that being said, I'm all for responsible gun ownership, I think the longgun registry is a waste of money and effort, and I think owning a gun simply because you think it's a good way to protect your family is stupid.