Gun owners?

[KUSA]

There is no good reason for civilians to own handguns.

It's hard to fit a rifle in my pocket.

[Losty]

"Toddler accidentally stabs father to death", said no headline ever.

[brian1570]

Just the other day a young boy stole his parents car and all of his friends were in there with him. If he had wrecked it before being pulled over it would've been very gruesome. This happens more often then we realize. Once your kids get to a certain age it's a pretty good idea to hide and/or lock the spare keys to the car. Precautions have to be taken with guns. Nobody is arguing that. I still think there are plenty of good reasons to own pistols. Just have to use common sense.

[Whateverist]

Just have to use common sense.

If only that were a commodity in greater supply.  Most people are human, all too human.

[Minimalist]

The militia was armed by the public, without their guns we would not have had a chance, there was no real central government to to supply arms.

They were still organized and - occasionally - trained although not really effectively.  The idea that some bunch of assholes came running with their hunting rifles and shotguns to defeat the British Army is Hollywood horseshit at its worst. 

You suggested in your original answer to Nappy that the mere thought that a bunch of idiots with rifles would stop a foreign power from invading.  A bunch of shitheads with rifles are out of their league against tanks, attack helicopters, and artillery.

If the army and navy can't stop them we're in deep shit.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Now wait a minute. No one said you get the mexicans. Let's say you keep tex-mex and we'll take the rest of the music, the farm workers and the better vacation sites.

Keep tex-mex? You fucking sadist!

[Thumpalumpacus]

To the op: I don't own a gun, though I'm consider a shotgun purchase in the next year. I live out I the country and coyotes are a problem.

I think we could use more handgun regulation, including mandatory smart guns for all new sales, a mandatory buyback of dumb guns, and an annual psych test for gun owners.

[Losty]

What do you guys think about mandatory gun safety courses for everyone living in a home where a gun is kept?
I'm not sure how hard it'd be to implement, but I feel like it's a good idea. Seems like many accidental shootings are done by people living in a home where a gun is kept who don't actually own the gun. Even small kids can be taught that guns are dangerous.

[Thumpalumpacus]

That's a damned good idea.

[Lemonvariable72]

What do you guys think about mandatory gun safety courses for everyone living in a home where a gun is kept?
I'm not sure how hard it'd be to implement, but I feel like it's a good idea. Seems like many accidental shootings are done by people living in a home where a gun is kept who don't actually own the gun. Even small kids can be taught that guns are dangerous.

You don't even need to go that far, (though I think gun safety should be taught in high school) all you need to do is teach people to responsibly store their gun (in a locked cabinet unloaded and ammo stored separately.)