The Right To Bear Arms

madlilnerd · **Mon May 16, 2005 2:10 pm**

Of course, that was written before Uzis and AK-47s were invented.

I think it is okay to bear arms to a certain extent. I secretly think that guns are cool. That's because of my violent upbringing with an older brother, if I had had an older sister, I propably would be better at putting on make up.

You have to draw a line when it comes to weapons though. If I went to American and people were walking around with sub-machine guns strapped to their thighs, it would scare the bejeesus out of me. I would never feel safe. I don't understand why people bother with guns. America has the highest rate of gun related deaths in the world, so surely it would make sense to put more restrictions on the kind of guns allowed and how many bullets you can carry with you on person?

Dirt · **Mon May 16, 2005 2:12 pm**

I'm kinda double on this. I can understand why people would want to protect their family and themselves, using a gun to protect anything of material value is just silly to me. On the other hand, if a gun ends up in the wrong hands it does more good than bad. In my experience as a Dutchie I must say we're not really violent so we're better of without the guns.

But can be different in other cultures I suppose.

Theresa · **Mon May 16, 2005 2:15 pm**

There are limits on what kind of weaponry you can have. I personally own 2 rifles, and will be getting a pistol as soon as possible.
I have to tell you, being as I live in the middle of nowhere, having those rifles sitting there when you are hearing odd noises and movement outside in the middle of the night? They are a great comfort,

I have only ever actually aimed a weapon at another human being one time.

Dirt · **Mon May 16, 2005 2:16 pm**

Thought you shot Gary with one?

madlilnerd · **Mon May 16, 2005 2:20 pm**

I have an air rifle, well, it's my dad's. I scared him when I first got it cos I'm the best shooter in the house, I can hit a crab apple from about 100 paces, without a telescopic lense. It's not the best gun it the world, takes about three shots to the head to kill and squirell and that;s what we bought it for.
My mum freaked out. She's very christian and totally against guns. If something happened, she'd rather pray than shoot.
As for me, I find the best thing to hurt an intruder with is a lava lamp

Theresa · **Mon May 16, 2005 2:21 pm**

That wasn't a real gun,

Some person my father knows, we call them our "stalkers", showed up at the house late one night, and I was home alone. Both of the outside lights were blown, and it was DARK. For some stupid reason, they shut off their headlights at the top of the drive, rolled down, and Gerald got out of the car, came to the door, opened the screen door, and stepped back so that I couldn't see who it was. The dogs were totally freaking out, and I was scared. I aimed the .30 .30 right at the door. (there is a glass window). What is so weird is that Gerald could see me, but made no effort to let me know who he was. He went and got in their car, and they left.
They told my father later that it was them, and Dad said to Gerald, "You know Theresa almost shot you?" Gerald said, "That's ok, I would've forgiven her." Dad's like, "No, you would have been dead."

madlilnerd · **Mon May 16, 2005 2:25 pm**

/\ see that's the problem with legalised guns. If you didn't have a gun and you charged at him with a baseball bat, there's a chance he could live, but if you shoot him in the head, well, better start planning the funeral.

(my edit's cos I put a "g" in chance instead of the second "c")

Theresa · **Mon May 16, 2005 2:29 pm**

And he could have overpowered me and I wouldn't be here having this discussion with you. I didn't ask him onto my property, and I didn't ask him to hide himself. He put himself in harms way.

Dirt · **Mon May 16, 2005 2:32 pm**

But it's much easier for someone who isn't going to use it to protect themselves to get a gun also.

madlilnerd · **Mon May 16, 2005 2:32 pm**

I suppose. But sometimes people panic with guns and innocent people die. That's the point I'm trying to make here.

Theresa · **Mon May 16, 2005 2:33 pm**

That's true with anything,

But, anyway, the second amendment clearly states why arms are allowed.

Dirt · **Mon May 16, 2005 2:35 pm**

Well yes, but guns only serve the purpose to kill, injure, or intimidate someone. Where a car can be meant for driving.

Theresa · **Mon May 16, 2005 2:37 pm**

That isn't accurate, either. Guns also sustain life.

Dirt · **Mon May 16, 2005 2:38 pm**

Yes I know, but they are not meant for that in the wrong hands. My point is, with a gun you can do a whole lot more damage than with something else. But yes, anything can be used for bad things.

madlilnerd · **Mon May 16, 2005 2:47 pm**

A gun is specifically designed to harm and kill, it is an effecient. Whether it kills someone or not is the choice of the person holding it.

And of course anything can be used for bad things. That's the curse of the human Beast- we've all got evil inside us and voices in our head.

webtaz99 · **Mon May 16, 2005 2:56 pm**

A gun is designed to place a projectile on a certain path at a high velocity. Thousands of people have owned guns their whole adult life and never shot anything but a (non-living) target (police officers included).

Dirt · **Mon May 16, 2005 3:11 pm**

But it's capable of killing, shouldn't you just leave it to the proffesionals who know how and when to use it?

Republican_Man · **Mon May 16, 2005 4:27 pm**

I think that assault rifles should be banned, because why would you need something like that? but otherwise, I am a FULL supporter of the second amendment. And I don't like how people are trying to get rid of it one step at a time.

webtaz99 · **Mon May 16, 2005 4:31 pm**

The right to bear arms was intended to allow citizens to oppose a tyrannical government and/or assist in the national defense in case of invasion. Isn't allowing the police to have heavier weaponry than the citizens the first step to tyranny?

Dirt · **Mon May 16, 2005 4:34 pm**

No, since they maintain the law.

Seven of Nine · **Mon May 16, 2005 6:13 pm**

I can understand that it is part of American culture to bear arms over there. Since nearly everyone has access to them, you're not really that safe without one there.

Here in Britain, it's a different story. Most people do not, and have no wish to own a gun. Most police officers here are not armed, as there is very little gun crime. Yes, it's on the increase, but still only relates to a tiny amount of crime. If I lived in the US I'd probably learn how to use a gun, and have one, just to feel safe. Here, I feel safe so long as I've got access to the kitchen knife. OK, so it's not as effective as a gun, but at least there's not that much chance of me being shot to death.

That's the beauty of different cultures.

Link, the Hero of Time · **Mon May 16, 2005 7:29 pm**

While yes, I personally own a rifle it is for range use only, I would never use it against another person. Now I do on the other hand own multiple gas powered airsoft guns (They hurt more then paintballs close range). Those are used on a daily basis when I'm home. Especially for battles with friends.

While I do believe people have the right to bear arms, it should be limited. This comes from having been confronted by people with weapons. Learning how to disarm people with weapons is almost essential where I grew up. From knives to guns, three gangs battled it out.

I believe in a national database with the names of all gun owners, the weapons they own, the types of ammunition they have and why they have said weapon.

Om · Crewman Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 2

well, it speaks of a 'militia'. what about cops? what if only they had guns? i don't like guns at all of course, because they are made for killing. plus, the circumstances under which this ammendment was written was colonial america. times are different and guns are more advanced. violent crime would drop drastically if cops were the only ones allowed to have guns.

madlilnerd · **Tue May 17, 2005 12:00 pm**