I say refer to the papers written by some of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, and it is easy to see that they believed in an individual's right to keep and bear private weapons.
It is insane to me to argue that the Founding Fathers, coming back somehow now, would approve of 200 million handguns in this society, massacres in schools, and an incredible social pathology attached to the gun problem which makes our society an international laughing stock. As visionaries, I know they would do better.
How can you make the leap from owning a gun to thinking the FF would approve of the violation of basic rights, such as taking others' lives? I have traveled much, and America is envied, it is not a "laughing stock".
A well-armed populace in jungle or mountainous terrain well-known to them but relatively unknown to an enemy can stand off an army for some period of time, particularly if the army is unwilling to use substantial force. The Russian army is a joke, and the Americans in Vietnam had their hands tied in using the kind of force needed to win because of an eroding political will back home. None of these factors would influence an American political force which had somehow managed to harness our own armed forces.
So all our armed forces would be out scouring the mountains to kill other Americans... and the Russian Army is a "joke"? I cannot believe you believe TAHT!!
What is freedom for, if there is no freedom to walk down the streets unassaulted?
Eaxactly my point. If almost all Americans were armed and carried concealed weapons and knew how to use them effectively, criminals would think twice, thrice, and more before a mugging, rape, etc. (As the figures coming from Florida show.)
What freedom do you have from a rapist who knows he can attack you with veritable impunity because the police won't respond for 20 or 30 minutes and any passerbys hurry on because they are unarmed and afraid? I guess the freedom to get an abortion if he impregnates you. That is, of course, assuming he hasn't cut your throat when he's done.
Most Americans live in cities.
Not true. Most live in rural or suburban areas. Especially if you take New York out of the equation.
All security is ultimately illusory, but urban reality is certainly no stranger on a day-to-day basis than a bunch of angry losers doing paramilitary exercises in the countryside, shooting abortion-clinic doctors and bombing federal buildings in their spare time.
Have you ever met any of these people personally? Or are you basing your judgment on what the government and mass media are spoon-feeding you? Hmmmmmmmm? Feelies people want to know!!
FT |
