Reporter/camera man murdered.

[Brian37]

I totally disagree. If you own an instrument designed to deal death, you owe it to those around you to demonstrate your ability to make good judgements in times of stress.

You don't need a license to own knives or rocks.  And they have killed millions if not billions of people throughout history.  

Guns are an efficient tool to use to level the playing field between people.  They help the oppressed resist the oppressors.

Oh god, take your tea party crap and shove it.

A little History lesson for you. The Allies, after WW1, put heavy gun restrictions on Germany, WWhen Hitler took power, he expanded gun rights, but only to party loyalists.

And even after WW2, both Germany and Japan still to this day have much stricter gun laws, and neither are fascist states.

[Exian]

You're right that rifles and shotguns can be used to kill people, but they just aren't used in that way as mush as handguns in cities. Admittedly, I haven't checked the stats on that, but I'm going by the frequency of handguns showing up in news stories. Although, there was that one sniper dude, driving around highways, picking people off from a hole in the trunk of his car. I believe with his son, as well.

I'm with you, Nap. I don't like them at all, but if there is an argument to be made in favor of guns, it's in the country where you'll be more likely to come across a bear or a coyote. Plus, hunting deer is a great way to get quality meat for the winter, while simultaneously minimizing car accidents/deaths caused by hitting them.

[robvalue]

It seems to me that the average American only "needs" a gun because every other fucker has one too.

Well, I'll be buying a pump-action shotgun here someday, because I live out in the country. Has nothing to do with other people, has everything to do with wildlife -- coyotes -- being literally in my yard on occasion.

I would consider this a good reason to have a gun. If I was in charge, I'd investigate to make sure you actually live there and that there is such a threat. (I'm not calling you a liar!) I would take every gun handed out very seriously.

[Napoléon]

I'm with you, Nap. I don't like them at all, but if there is an argument to be made in favor of guns, it's in the country where you'll be more likely to come across a bear or a coyote. Plus, hunting deer is a great way to get quality meat for the winter, while simultaneously minimizing car accidents/deaths caused by hitting them.

It's an argument that can be made sure, I don't think it's a compelling one though when people are being massacred every year because of these few people's claim to need a gun to shoot coyotes or because they might come across a bear.

It's not impossible to live in the country without a gun and nor do I think it absolutely necessary to have one due to the fact you live somewhere in the sticks. I just don't buy that argument. There are more options than just "I live in the country == need guns".

[robvalue]

I wonder if there could be non-lethal alternatives for people having guns for defence from wildlife. Shotguns with beanbag rounds for example? Or just really noisy/scary guns that don't do any damage but are designed to make the animal flee?

I'm no expert, just brainstorming.

[Napoléon]

I wonder if there could be non-lethal alternatives for people having guns for defence from wildlife. Shotguns with beanbag rounds for example? Or just really noisy/scary guns that don't do any damage but are designed to make the animal flee?

I'm no expert, just brainstorming.

There already are, people just want to be ignorant and pretend like the only way to defend yourself from a bear or other wildlife is with a gun. Which in a lot of cases doesn't do shit anyway. 

There's plenty of non-lethal animal deterrents. Bear spray, alarms, non-lethal ammo like you mentioned. Hell, I swear a fence is a new concept to some people here.

[The Grand Nudger]

Well, I'll be buying a pump-action shotgun here someday, because I live out in the country. Has nothing to do with other people, has everything to do with wildlife -- coyotes -- being literally in my yard on occasion.

And the immediate thought of an American is "shoot it".

How typical...

Uh, yeah......they're nasty as shit, not afraid of people, and absolutely can do serious damage to a grown man, let alone small children.  That's ignoring rabies.......

pew pew.

If fences kept out wildlife......how does it keep getting in my yard? Know what though, I haven't seen much wildlife out here, there were more wild dogs and coyotes in the city (more garbage to eat). Animal control ftw. I don't need a gun -because I live in the country. I don't -need- a gun at all, but that's not actually relevant, so....

[Napoléon]

Uh, yeah......they're nasty as shit, not afraid of people, and absolutely can do serious damage to a grown man, let alone small children.  That's ignoring rabies.......

Don't see what that has to do with my point, you're just confirming what I already said. First sign of something threatening, shoot.

If fences kept out wildlife......how does it keep getting in my yard?

Maybe you left the gate open.

 Know what though, I haven't seen much wildlife out here, there were more wild dogs and coyotes in the city.

I thought you just said you kept getting 'em in your yard?

[The Grand Nudger]

Don't see what that has to do with my point, you're just confirming what I already said. First sign of something threatening, shoot. 

I'm actually not much for shooting at dogs, truth be told.  I let -my- dog out the door.  Your point, though, such as it is, doesn't mean much to me..and has nothing to do with whether or not I have a gun, or should be allowed to have a gun.

Maybe you left the gate open.

Nah, they just go over under and through it.  Fences aren't impenetrable, you know.  

I thought you just said you kept getting 'em in your yard?

Where else -would- I see what wildlife I do encounter...someone else's yard?  The thickets I don't walk through?

[Napoléon]

Your point, though, such as it is, doesn't mean much to me..and has nothing to do with whether or not I have a gun, or should be allowed to have a gun.

Right, so... what are you talking to me for?

Nah, they just go over under and through it.  Fences aren't impenetrable, you know.  

No shit. I totally said otherwise didn't I?

Where else -would- I see what wildlife I do encounter...someone else's yard?  The thickets I don't walk through?

Quit being shallow and pedantic.