Barack H. Obama and your Second Amendment Rights !

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by Charles

But I'm hardly deluded in thinking that a firearm, in a dangerous situation, would not offer me at least a certain tactical advantage.



Chas

Chas
Would this be true almost exclusively only if your adversary had a gun and you knew in advance that he was coming to "get you."

I don't think for a moment that you or anyone is deluded, I think you feeling safer is an emotion comfort brought to you by a firearm which may not be the case in fact.

Walking down the street or being asleep at home and caught off guard having a gun at the ready might well prove to have the opposite effect of keeping you and yours safe.

Least this is what most studies not done by the NRA find.

[barbara]

The thing I can never understand about gun enthusiasts.... They say they need them for protection. Then they say they are responsible gun owners who keep their guns locked up and unloaded.
It just seems to me that if one finds themselves in a position where they have to defend themselves..like, say a robber comes into their home.... What is that gun owner going to do.... Tell the robber to wait one minute while they go unlock the gun and load it? I've never been a burglar, but I would imagine the element of surprise is an advantage over the victim and waiting for the victim to go get a gun and load it might be counter productive.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by noonereal

Chas
Would this be true almost exclusively only if your adversary had a gun and you knew in advance that he was coming to "get you."

I don't think for a moment that you or anyone is deluded, I think you feeling safer is an emotion comfort brought to you by a firearm which may not be the case in fact.

Walking down the street or being asleep at home and caught off guard having a gun at the ready might well prove to have the opposite effect of keeping you and yours safe.

Least this is what most studies not done by the NRA find.

We may as well be from different planets concerning this issue.

Chas

[merrylander]

While I am not in the least crazy about guns I do know how to use them. We are seriously considering acquisition of pistols for one simple reason. The recent break-ins, especially the homes of senior citizens, is not merely to steal. These perps beat the older folks senseless even to the point of death. Sure my credit cards and possessions can be replaced, not my life. Sitting on 4.5 acres our house is reasonably separated from the neighbours. The doors and windows all have strong locks and won't kick in all that easily or quietly. If we do get pistols the will be loaded and on the night stands - with the safety on and no round chambered. One of the reasons why I want Florence to try them out first to see how easily she can work the slide. Since we are alone in the house there is no one else to worry about.

During daytime they will be close at hand. Interestingly someone has taken Maryland to court over their very strict concealed carry laws, so we might even have to get holsters.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by barbara

The thing I can never understand about gun enthusiasts.... They say they need them for protection. Then they say they are responsible gun owners who keep their guns locked up and unloaded.
It just seems to me that if one finds themselves in a position where they have to defend themselves..like, say a robber comes into their home.... What is that gun owner going to do.... Tell the robber to wait one minute while they go unlock the gun and load it? I've never been a burglar, but I would imagine the element of surprise is an advantage over the victim and waiting for the victim to go get a gun and load it might be counter productive.

I keep some loaded, hidden from sight, but accessible.

I also consider myself to be a responsible gun owner, only I define the terms of what being responsible actually are.

Chas

[painter]

I come from a family that hunted as young men. Guns safety was taught early. Dad used to say...when you're walking in the woods...you want to make sure your back is covered by a safe hunting buddy. Now...I have another thought here...why is it only important to shove a gun in a soldiers arms with the intent of killing?
You see...there are dual purposes to everything. The use or abuse is in the hands of the holder.
If you've ever been a victim (or potential victim of a crime) you might have a different opinion. Especially if you're a woman or the husband or father of a victim.

[Zeke]

My discovered simple truth is this, and no manner of training, expertise, or skill (by anyone involved including me) has been able to change it:

1. If a firearm is not available, accessible, loaded and willing to be used then it may as well be an anvil a thousand miles away.

2. If a firearm is available, accessible, loaded and willing to be used than you have just made the situation more dangerous for everyone, including yourself.

Amongst the general populace, carrying concealed is just bringing your baby blanket with you. It might make you feel empowered/comfortable but only because you've never thought about it or been there.

[painter]

Originally Posted by Zeke

My discovered simple truth is this, and no manner of training, expertise, or skill (by anyone involved including me) has been able to change it:

1. If a firearm is not available, accessible, loaded and willing to be used then it may as well be an anvil a thousand miles away.

2. If a firearm is available, accessible, loaded and willing to be used than you have just made the situation more dangerous for everyone, including yourself.

Amongst the general populace, carrying concealed is just bringing your baby blanket with you. It might make you feel empowered/comfortable but only because you've never thought about it or been there.

Zeke...I respect and agree with your opinion on carrying a concealed a weapon for the average guy/woman on the street...unless your job is such that you might encounter a situation where your life would be endangered. As for the home base...location...location and crime stats.

[barbara]

Originally Posted by Zeke

My discovered simple truth is this, and no manner of training, expertise, or skill (by anyone involved including me) has been able to change it:

1. If a firearm is not available, accessible, loaded and willing to be used then it may as well be an anvil a thousand miles away.

2. If a firearm is available, accessible, loaded and willing to be used than you have just made the situation more dangerous for everyone, including yourself.

Amongst the general populace, carrying concealed is just bringing your baby blanket with you. It might make you feel empowered/comfortable but only because you've never thought about it or been there.

I agree, Zeke.
After the shooting in which Gabby Giffords got shot I heard a lot of gun enthusiasts who insisted that if a citizen had been carrying a gun they could have stopped the perpetrator. Then, I saw an interview with a witness who did actually have a gun on him that day and he was asked why he didn't use it. His response was that he felt if he pulled it out, he might be mistaken for the bad guy and shot..

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by painter

Zeke...I respect and agree with your opinion on carrying a concealed a weapon for the average guy/woman on the street...unless your job is such that you might encounter a situation where your life would be endangered. As for the home base...location...location and crime stats.

Agree about the home base situation. Would I be prepared to use it. Let me put it very simply, Florence is my life, if you kill her you may as well kill me so yes, I will use it.