Blind Guardian the 2nd
Old Blue Collar Joe
No, all it does is show, in high density area's, it has some effect, but population density has to be included, and taking away peoples rights to defend themselves is one more step toward tyranny.
Defending themselves from whom? This is what I always find the most curious. You've got a few situations. There's defending yourself from:
- The general public
- The government
Now, I've always looked at it thus: the general public only need a gun to be protected from if they also have access to guns. The government, however, needs far more than a gun to be protected from.
So in a society with no gun ownership and very few illegal firearms in circulation, who exactly are guns protecting me from?
"the general public only need a gun to be protected from if they also have access to guns." -
Incorrect. Most gun related crimes are not committed by people using legally obtained guns. Even if guns were illegal, criminals would still have access to guns, but law-abiding citizens would have no means to protect themselves.
Additionally, let's say you were 5'1" and 110 lbs soaking wet and in a wheelchair due to total leg paralysis, being assaulted by someone who, while unarmed, is 6'2" and 210 lbs of pure muscle. If I was the small person, I would be happier if I had a legal protection available to me.
Removing all guns is not only not feasible, but it ignores the issue of not everyone has the same natural ability to defend themselves.
"The government, however, needs far more than a gun to be protected from." -
Partially Correct. True, no amount of traditional firearms is going to save you if the government decides you must be taken out. However, I would prefer some protection to no protection. A heavily armed population is a strong deterrent towards government control, because ultimately we do still pay government paychecks. If they bomb ALL of us, then they won't have anyone to pay their bills.
I cannot help but reflect on:
"Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws."
- Plato (427-347 B.C.)
As far as I can tell, if we want to be a free society, we should do everything possible to encourage all aspects of personal responsibility, which includes personal safety. It is up to the individual, not government, to decide if that includes purchasing a firearm for protection or not.