Again, 'Murrica. How Many More

[Reforged]

I am for banning guns. 

You do realize that the chances of that happening are about the same as someone inventing a time machine?

I am for inventing a time machine.

[Thumpalumpacus]

I've never really bought the notion I-need-a-gun-to-protect-myself-and-my-family.

If you're a safety conscious gun person, your guns are going to be unloaded and/or (hopefully) locked away, so they aren't going to do you the tiniest bit of good when someone kicks open your door and starts shooting.

For a firearm to have any value at all when it comes to protection, it needs to be available.  If you're so nervous that you feel the need to carry your pistol around the house with you, you drastically increase the chance that you're going to hurt yourself or an innocent bystander, like your teen trying to sneak in after curfew, or your husband coming in quietly so as not to wake you.

Is the tiny likelihood of a home invasion worth the risk of keeping a loaded firearm within easy reach?

Boru

Where I live, protecting myself means from animals, not people. My son is and adult an no longer lives with me. I don't worry about anyone "kicking in the door and shooting", but both cougars and packs of coyotes live out here, and I'd just as soon be able to address any situation arising from their presence.

This was at the head of my driveway last year, killed by a vehicle. Had he been rabid, those of us who live out here might have had a problem on our hands.

[Minimalist]

I am for banning guns. 

You do realize that the chances of that happening are about the same as someone inventing a time machine?

Yes.  But it is the best solution.  And no, I don't expect the Gun Nuts to embrace it because they are completely taken in by NRA bullshit.

[Aroura]

I like what the UK does. People can get a gun, for situations like Thump mentioned, farmers are allowed to own shotguns or rifles to protect themselves and their livestock. Hunters may also get guns. But it takes time and paperwork, and not just any SOB can get one anytime they want.

[Wyrd of Gawd]

---

I've never really bought the notion I-need-a-gun-to-protect-myself-and-my-family.

If you're a safety conscious gun person, your guns are going to be unloaded and/or (hopefully) locked away, so they aren't going to do you the tiniest bit of good when someone kicks open your door and starts shooting.

For a firearm to have any value at all when it comes to protection, it needs to be available.  If you're so nervous that you feel the need to carry your pistol around the house with you, you drastically increase the chance that you're going to hurt yourself or an innocent bystander, like your teen trying to sneak in after curfew, or your husband coming in quietly so as not to wake you.

Is the tiny likelihood of a home invasion worth the risk of keeping a loaded firearm within easy reach?

Boru

---

Where I live, protecting myself means from animals, not people. My son is and adult an no longer lives with me. I don't worry about anyone "kicking in the door and shooting", but both cougars and packs of coyotes live out here, and I'd just as soon be able to address any situation arising from their presence.

This was at the head of my driveway last year, killed by a vehicle. Had he been rabid, those of us who live out here might have had a problem on our hands.

A photoshopped coyote was at the end of your driveway?  What kind of neighborhood do you live in?

[Cyberman]

Yeah, of course it has to be photoshop. I mean, what other explanation could there be?

[Cato]

A photoshopped coyote was at the end of your driveway?  What kind of neighborhood do you live in?

Everybody knows that coyotes aren't photoshopped, only chupacabras.

Aslo, hide tags work best if the ending tag isn't [/quote].

[Wyrd of Gawd]

Yeah, of course it has to be photoshop. I mean, what other explanation could there be?

Look at the rear legs and tail.

[Cato]

Look at the rear legs and tail.

Guess you missed the bit where it was hit by a car.

[Thumpalumpacus]

[hide]

A photoshopped coyote was at the end of your driveway?  What kind of neighborhood do you live in?

It wasn't photoshopped. Don't know why you'd say otherwise, and won't speculate on your motives.

I took that picture on a Nokia 530 cellphone.