In regards to the argument of "Guns are necessary for protection vs. Guns causes higher rates of deaths", I'll let the facts speak for themselves. Americans are 20 times as likely to die from gun violence as citizens of other civilized countries who practice strict gun control or straight up ban guns from getting into the hands of private civilians. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/files/2012/12/firearm-OECD-UN-data3.jpg What do you think of that?
You don't want a gun, don't get one. I'll fight you to the death for my right to keep mine. Keep them locked up away from kids. Treat any "unloaded" gun as though it was loaded. I don't think I've ever slept a single night of my life anywhere where either I wasn't armed or the homeowner wasn't armed. I would not feel safe without one. What about the % of those that are from illegal gun deaths in America? You won't ever get most of the guns from the criminals here. What about suicides in America? They contribute significantly to gun deaths. Suicide is tragic, but if someone wants to end their own life, they have the "right" to do so as far as I'm concerned - just don't hurt anyone else in the process.
Also, there are many ways to commit murder besides guns - knives, blunt instruments, automobiles, etc. And how are they defining "murder" exactly? Is it the strict legal definition? Are they lumping ALL instances of one person shooting another to death together? What about actual self-defense?
You might be right about the unfairness of the technical definition but it is undeniable that it is MUCH harder to kill someone with a knife than with a gun. And the casualties would be much less if someone attempted a mass 'school stabbing'. When was the last time you hear about cases of school or cinema shootings with mass casualties in a country that does not allow private citizens to own guns?
I don't think it's a black and white topic as to whether or not we should allow to disallow guns in the country. I occasionally go to a range and shoot with my dad, and it is fairly exhilarating. But, I could live without a gun in my hand. Sometimes I do feel comfortable that I have a shotgun in my home in case anyone would try to break in, especially seeing as I've taught my girlfriend how to use it correctly, and if I'm not home when something like that would happen, I'd feel a little better inside that she would be able to better defend herself with a gun that, in close quarters, is basically a point and shoot. Of course, so many gun accidents happen it isn't even funny. Sure, this isn't the gun's fault per say, but everytime I hear in the news about a young kid accidentally killing himself makes owning a gun a little more disappointing. Like owning pets, guns are not respected enough. Even when I go to the shooting range, I see a lot of bad behavior that instantly puts myself and everyone I'm with into defensive mode. As it is, the statistics show guns doing more bad than good on our society. They breed fear. Even as I go about my regular work day in a retail establishment, we all get defensive and concerned when we see someone walk in open-carrying a gun on their side. It makes more people uncomfortable than safe feeling, in my experience. And while many with guns may mean well, it is hard to make judgment calls when you see someone in public with a gun. And if you don't have one on you to defend yourself, it makes the feeling all the more fear inducing.
Ironically, those mass shootings almost always take place in "gun free zones" such as schools and private businesses that have strict rules against having guns on the property. Guns are just too much a part of our culture to think they'll ever be totally eliminated. The criminals will find them and have them no matter what. And crime and criminals aside, I wouldn't want to give them up because of my distrust of the govt as well.
Back in March, there was a mass stabbing in China. Twenty-nine were killed and another 130 were wounded. China has some of the strictest gun control laws in the world and the availability of firearms to average citizens is essentially nonexistent.
It truly is a delicate topic. Sadly I think it has come down to rights more than actual safety. I think anti gun control people are too caught up with the "it's my right!" angle of it all. I also think pondering the numerous "what if" situations where guns would come in handy is also a strange angle to adopt. Pro gun control people on the other hand sound like biased hypocrites who would like it for someone to save them God forbid something bad happens but also feels that guns are killing machines just because they don't own one. In a lot of situations as a person who doesn't care either way (I don't own any guns or know anyone personally who does) gun owners seem like paranoid entitled people and pro gun control people sound like hopeless delusional people who think getting rid of guns will solve the problem. With all considered I think it would be best for the laws to just remain the same. The Constitution should be law even if times are changing. Besides the massive backlash of stubborn gun owners would divide this country unfathomably.
What some may say is "paranoia", others may see as "survival instinct". If I was a criminal, I'd avoid people obviously or likely to be armed, and I'd avoid their homes and other places they frequent if I planned on committing crimes against people or businesses. And if you allow big govt to start screwing around with rights and freedoms, it's not long before you're living in a fascist dictatorship and have ALL of your rights stripped.
I hear you loud and clear. I'm in the middle of this situation I feel I don't have strong enough opinions about it either way so I'm all about gun regulation just staying the way it is. But you still have to maybe considered just a little gun control. I think a little flexibility on both sides can go a long way. The whole slavery thing got fixed after all.
