People who claim that more armed citizens will equal less crime forget one basic truth about crimes. Most people who are shot by other people are not shot in the course of an attempted robbery, or any attempted crime. Most people who get shot are shot by people they know, often by neighbors, friends, and family members. They are shot in the course of arguments, misunderstandings, and other emotional moments.
An unfortunately large number of people buy guns for self-defense, and end up blowing somebody away in the heat of the moment.
My own belief is that carrying a firearm should not be banned, but should be carefully restricted. Anybody with a history of substance abuse, violent arguments, or physically aggressive behaviour should not be carrying a gun. Anyone who wishes to carry a gun should have to pass an extensive and rigorous training in the use of the gun.
I've noticed that many people, especially those owning their first gun and those that have not been properly trained in firearms use, undergo a definite personality change when they are packing a piece. Their natural caution goes to the winds. They feel invincible. They go places they wouldn't otherwise go, and they force arguments where they would normally back down. Put a whole bunch of people on the streets in this mode, and what you're going to get is a shooting gallery. |
