Originally Posted by Silas Sydenham

Only in the USA is carrying or possessing a firearm a right. And the USA has the highest rate of gun-crime in the world as a result.

In the rest of the sane world owning weapons is a priviledge that you have to earn.

I also see where you do not understand that it is a priviledge here also to earn the right to own a gun. Not just anyone can legally own them.

Originally Posted by Silas Sydenham

I put a no weapons sign on my front gate in 1999. I am still here, and have not been vioated.

So you believe that because you have a sign on your gate that has contributed to your safety? Do you really believe that someone who comes to your front gate with the intent on shooting you is going to think "Damn it! he has a "no weapons" sign on his gate. Well, I guess we can't bring a gun in there" I never understood those signs in the US that said "Guns are banned in this establishment" Yes, I guess it could reduce the numbers of guns that could possibly be in a building but how many times have we seen people walk into a school or an office building and start shooting random people or holding them hostage? Perhaps if one of the hostages HAD a gun then a lot less people might be killed in those situations.

Just to play devil's advocate...I live in a country that has no guns at all (outside law enforcement). Incredibly harsh penalties for even owning any sort of firearm. It also has one of the lowest crime rates in the world, and generally it's the safest place I've ever lived.

Guns don't make you safe, unless of course it's to protect you from other guns.

In Los Angeles, many neighborhoods were protected from mobs( riot) by blocking their streets as well as with their guns. If guns were illegal their homes/business would have been burned,looted as well as raped or killed.

Originally Posted by peanut2

In Los Angeles, many neighborhoods were protected from mobs( riot) by blocking their streets as well as with their guns. If guns were illegal their homes/business would have been burned,looted as well as raped or killed.

Thats one incident you talking about there im sure there are many more that would say that if guns werent allowed many many murdered people would still live.

Originally Posted by Juventinean

Just to play devil's advocate...I live in a country that has no guns at all (outside law enforcement). Incredibly harsh penalties for even owning any sort of firearm. It also has one of the lowest crime rates in the world, and generally it's the safest place I've ever lived.

Guns don't make you safe, unless of course it's to protect you from other guns.

Failure of gun ban occurs even when entire nations adopt them. Even Island nations such as Ireland, Jamaica or England & Wales.

Who cannot blame some neighboring countries for it's supply of illegal gun, they too have seen incrases in murder rates.

Originally Posted by ashy

Thats one incident you talking about there im sure there are many more that would say that if guns werent allowed many many murdered people would still live.

Of course that is one, but one of many that are ignored by anti gun folks. Gee here is one more boxcutters and our planes one gun could have saved so many lives, one shot to the head. Boxcutters did all that knowing it was a gun free target.

There are always pro's and con's to every situation whether it be guns, drugs, the death penalty, etc. If the answers were so cut and dry debates like this wouldn't be necessary It would be wonderful if guns were sold and purchased for the simple reason of killing for food and even then you would have people that disagree. If someone had a gun in the Columbine school shooting less people would of been killed. On the flip side if those teens weren't able to get their hands on a gun then no one would of been killed. Take away guns and you'd see an increase in stabbings, beatings and other creative ways to kill. There are simply people on this earth that do not have the respect for human life that most of us do.

There is a young guy just got shot in TN, everyones up in arms about it different gangs now getting involved, i just wish the ones with guns behaved with them..

I agree with Mountanddo that this is indeed a complicated issue, and it isn't as simple as guns vs no guns. I also see the point peanut2 is trying to make. There are instances where guns can protect against violent crime.

Ultimately the issue of violent crimes goes a lot deeper than this, and as Mountanddo said, there will still be lots of people who have no respect for life. The real issue isn't whether or not we should allow guns to be owned, but rather why the hell we would need one to protect ourselves at all. If you live in a place where you would feel safer carrying a sidearm, then there is a real problem, and it's not gun control.