About Guns

[DementedReality]

Originally Posted by HalifaxDrunk

It is entirely your prerogative to stay away from guns but I feel that is a bit of an overreaction.
Instead of educating yourself how the person stores their guns you just outright rule out going to someones house? In the case of Ice's example above how is it dangerous if they are locked away properly? Another factor is if they use a trigger lock on a gun, no way are kids gonna pick it.

If you are this adverse to being around guns I hope you or your kids never enter a Canadian Tire or a Walmart. Chances are the guns & ammo are easier to get out of their glass cabinets than a proper gun locker.

yes you are right .. however, this is how i choose to balance my personal distaste for guns and what they are capable of and your right to own them.

i feel the same way about hard core drugs as well. i would rather use my own judgement and stay away from you then to see the government make that decision for me.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Weiser Wonder

It's only practical mechanism is to kill someone or something. It can be used at shooting range but that's not a practical mechanism.

WTF? I would suggest that most handguns in this country are used at shooting ranges and not on the street killing people, so you fancy dancy wording really means nothing.

[Weiser Wonder]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

WTF? I would suggest that most handguns in this country are used at shooting ranges and not on the street killing people, so you fancy dancy wording really means nothing.

Huh? Shooting disks provides no function, accomplishes nothing. I'm not against people shooting things at shooting ranges but it's not a practical application.

[Montana Moe]

Originally Posted by T@T

When your away and some teen breaks into your house looking for spare change finds it and it ends up on the streets I have an issue.
The only reason you feel the need to protect your home with a pistol is because of your fear of the bad guy having one.But in the end your house is just as secure if you protect it with daddys shotgun.

Handguns are made for killing people..period. If the law stated 10 years in jail for possessing one even the gang members would think twice about carrying them.

I agree that a shotgun can be as effective if not moreso for home defense, in most situations. I choose to have options when someone decides that my house is the one to try tonight. Close quarters vs. distance, etc.

There is already a mandatory minimum of 7 years (I believe, could be 9.) for using a gun in the commission of a crime. That doesn't seem to be scaring many gangsters off. Punishments for simply possessing one would be overkill, IMO. I guess I'm coming from the side that knows most handgun owners are responsible, and respectable people. The folks that don't store their guns securely are making their own bed, and may face the consequences. I would have no issue with fining or charging folks that don't securely store their firearms, I just think it would be a tough law to enforce.

Handguns are made for killing people if the threat presents itself, except for mine. It's made for killing big furry animals.





This argument seems to be more of a personal choice vs. greater good discussion, and that's fine. I'm a firm believer in the saying "Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it."

As I've stated in previous threads about the same subject, this discussion is like abortion, religion, etc. You're likely not ever going to change someone's mind one way or the other, and that's OK.

Handguns are never going to go away completely. I could give a multitude of examples of people protecting their lives and property with the use of a firearm. I'm afraid someone would claim I was just shilling for the NRA, of which I'm not a member.

Prohibition of anything in the U.S. just creates an underground market for it. You just need to look at alcohol early in the 20th century for that, or the illegal drug trade today. I'd much rather have the industry be taxed and regulated.

As I've said before, I respect everyone's opinion on the subject. I hope someone's personal decision whether to own one or not doesn't come back to bite them. Whether that is owning one which ends up in the wrong hands, or not owning one and being at the mercy of someone who does. There are legitimate concerns associated with each viewpoint.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Daradon

Guns just make it too easy to kill, and they often end up in the wrong hands. Either in kids hands, or criminals hands.

Yes that is one thing that guns do, make it easier to kill multiple targets. But legal or illegal, the wrong type of people are going to possess them. Even if we banned all gun manufactures, we would still have guns. Do you realize that gangs such as the HA's make their own guns? They have their own work shops.

A person may resort to a knife, and yeah, they'll probably find a single target they want. But you wont get mall shootings, club shootings, school shootings, freeway shootings, etc. You won't have multiple deaths (or at least at the same level a shooter can affect mayham)

Single target? How did the Rwandan genocide occure again? Oh ya, machetes and hoes. 911, Oklahoma bombings. Most mass killings are done with bombings.

Regarding the post above, the last argument about Good Samaritan types being armed is just absurd. There's no evidence that people being armed will make them more likely to act or being unarmed makes a person less likely to act. Not only is there no evidence, the argument doesn't make a lot of logical sense either.

You may be right that having armed civilians does not reduce gun violence in general, but me personally, I would rather have a firearm on me incase someone threatens my life or my families life so that I could defend them instead of being helpless.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Rubber Ducky

In my opinion, handguns have no other purpose but to kill people. Rifles and shotguns can be used for other purposes - for example, hunting or sports - but what else is a handgun used for?

I'm very thankful for our strict gun-control laws.

You know, just because you don't think handguns have a use other than for killing doesn't make it so, right? People like to collect handguns aswell as use them at the range.

There does need to be gun control and registration of handguns, but there doesn't need to be such restrictions on them as we have now.

[Traditional_Ale]

Good thread! Thanks for the input!

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Weiser Wonder

Guns have one use. To kill. All those other things have uses beyond being used as a weapon. So it makes much more sense to limit guns and not the other objects.

That is such a load of crap. A gun has many other uses other than for killing.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Dan02

nope, it won't take them away, but it will definately make them harder to get and decrease the number of them.

Ah, not really. Thousands of guns come across our border ever year. Criminals can get a firearm illegally as easy if not easier than walking into the local gun store.

Criminals should not be in possession of firearms and there needs to be that restriction, however, those laws are really only in place to put them in jail when they are caught with the firearm.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by habernac

I don't hunt, I have no use for them. Hand guns should be kept at shooting ranges or whatever, there's no reason for any "civilian" to have one. Rifles, etc, I don't have a problem with.

Edit to add that assault rifles, etc have no reason to be in non military hands, either.

You know what, there is a reason for them. Like I have said before, collection, shooting range and also for self protection. Mankind is evil and we only need to look at what happened in New Orleans to see that. It isn't that far of a stretch for a disaster to hit anywhere in North America, including Alberta. If something happened like that here and everything went to hell, I would want to have something to protect my family from the gangs and crowds from raping, pillaging and murdering my family. It has happened in recent times and it will happen again. Just image that that day comes and a gang of thugs shows up at your door and decides to do what ever they want to you and your family because you have no way to protect them and yourself.

If humans were not so evil, might be a different story.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Rubber Ducky

See, this is the kind of idiocy we see when every Tom, Dick and Harry is allowed to carry a handgun.

http://www.delawareonline.com/articl.../NEWS/81227003

Too bad that Mr Cialella wasn't carrying a hatpin instead of a gun. Probably wouldn't have ended up shooting somebody.

What is the point of this post? Nothing? From what I read it didn't say anythign about how the man came into possession of the firearm. For all we know the man purchased the firearm illegally.

[SportsJunky]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

You know what, there is a reason for them. Like I have said before, collection, shooting range and also for self protection. Mankind is evil and we only need to look at what happened in New Orleans to see that. It isn't that far of a stretch for a disaster to hit anywhere in North America, including Alberta. If something happened like that here and everything went to hell, I would want to have something to protect my family from the gangs and crowds from raping, pillaging and murdering my family. It has happened in recent times and it will happen again. Just image that that day comes and a gang of thugs shows up at your door and decides to do what ever they want to you and your family because you have no way to protect them and yourself.

If humans were not so evil, might be a different story.

Aww man, you were doing so well too. I was with you until the fearmongering starts up. Go take a nice hot bath and just relax for a bit.

[Weiser Wonder]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

That is such a load of crap. A gun has many other uses other than for killing.

No it's not. What else is there? Shooting inanimate objects? That's not a use. For the third time, I understand guns can be used for shooting targets and such but that's not a practical use.

Saying guns have practical applications beyond killing is like saying chairs have practical applications beyond being a place to sit.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by DementedReality

here is my take ..

a) i have no desire to own, touch, shoot or see a gun

All the power to ya.

b) if you told me you had a gun in the house, i would no longer come over and would not allow my children to play with your children in your house. ever.

Really? A responsible owner informs you that there are firearms on his property you will no longer come to the house? Are you for real? This at least lets you determine if the firearms are stored properly and cannot be obtained by any children. Yet, someone who doesn't tell you they have firearms, you will have no idea what your children are doing at the house and how the firearm is stored, possibly just in the dresser draw loaded. Really makes no sense to me.

and here is the BUT
c) i fully support your RIGHT to own a gun and i am against gun control. really, pot is illegal, but its not hard to get. if someone wants a gun to commit a crime, the legality of guns will have no impact on their ability to aquire and use it.
d) i fully support the government creating strict and draconian PUNISHMENTS if your gun is used, on purpose or accidently, in a crime IF it is proven you did not properly store your gun and ammunition.

good poinst

e) bullets should be taxed at a rate of about $10.00 per round. people would then think really hard about how many they keep in the house and in stock.

That seems a little obsurd no? How could any afford to target practice? 50 rounds will cost you $500 bucks. Not to mention you can make your own ammunition at home.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Weiser Wonder

No it's not. What else is there? Shooting inanimate objects? That's not a use. For the third time, I understand guns can be used for shooting targets and such but that's not a practical use.

In your mind maybe.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

Aww man, you were doing so well too. I was with you until the fearmongering starts up. Go take a nice hot bath and just relax for a bit.

Fearmongering? Dude, is that what you would say to the people of New Orleans? People shot dead in the street for the fun of it. People murdered for there belongings because there was no law enforcement to keep the peace. Women raped in the stadium just for the hell of it because people could.

It happened. Will it happen here? Probably not, but it sure as hell could. I for one would like to be prepared in case it does.

[DementedReality]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

Really? A responsible owner informs you that there are firearms on his property you will no longer come to the house? Are you for real? This at least lets you determine if the firearms are stored properly and cannot be obtained by any children. Yet, someone who doesn't tell you they have firearms, you will have no idea what your children are doing at the house and how the firearm is stored, possibly just in the dresser draw loaded. Really makes no sense to me.
.

like i said above, its my way of balancing my personal dislike of guns with your right to own one.

and as for children, there are a whole bunch of things i look for in your house and lifestyle before i would let my kids go over. guns, drugs, loser boyfriends hanging around, first aid education etc .. edit: when i say "look for", i dont mean i actually snoop in your house.

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

That seems a little obsurd no? How could any afford to target practice? 50 rounds will cost you $500 bucks. Not to mention you can make your own ammunition at home.

the point was that if the cost to "shoot" was prohibitive, there would be less shots taken.

guns dont kill people, bullets do!

[Rubber Ducky]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

What is the point of this post? Nothing? From what I read it didn't say anythign about how the man came into possession of the firearm. For all we know the man purchased the firearm illegally.

The point of the post was that I'd much rather see a movie in Canada, knowing that some nutcase wasn't packing a handgun. I like the fact that it's tough to get a handgun here.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Weiser Wonder

Huh? Shooting disks provides no function, accomplishes nothing. I'm not against people shooting things at shooting ranges but it's not a practical application.

Ok, so paint ball guns are only made to hurt people, give people bruises and terrorize the neighborhood with teens going around shooting people and objects but they can be used for recreation although it is not a practical application????

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Rubber Ducky

The point of the post was that I'd much rather see a movie in Canada, knowing that some nutcase wasn't packing a handgun. I like the fact that it's tough to get a handgun here.

And you know the person behind you does not have a hand gun how? Didn't 4 people get shoot up on Jan 1? Do you think those people at the dinner had the same mentality as you?