Armed America

[Undertoad]

It's the original Godfather, you commie!

[xoxoxoBruce]

I was addressing the first two sentences.

XoB, generally speaking, "gun owners seem always so defensive"; because, THEY ARE defensive and THEY "CARE" enough to be active defensive rather than passive defensive. You may take Hippikos' statement as a compliment.

[Hippikos]

What the fuck are you babbling about?

See what I mean?

Now, take 2 Prozacs and call me in the morning.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Your post make no sense. You're babbling. You asked me nonsensical questions that had no bearing or connection to what I said.
YOU better take some Prozac or something stronger.

Originally Posted by NoBoxes

XoB, generally speaking, "gun owners seem always so defensive"; because, THEY ARE defensive and THEY "CARE" enough to be active defensive rather than passive defensive. You may take Hippikos' statement as a compliment.

We are defensive because people keep trying to take our guns and restrict our Constitutional right to own and carry them, unrestricted.
If that stops, we will have no reason to be defensive... it is quite simple. They know that, they are playing stupid when they act like they don't know why we are insulted by their actions and attempts at actions.

[Aliantha]

I didn't specify what you were afraid of, I only reasoned fear is the only thing that would make you care .... and I was right.

Actually, according to research, fear is at the root of anger, not caring.

I don't think you have to fear something to think it's wrong. Of course, you could argue that there is a root fear, but that's based on a lot more things than the simple emotion brought about which is named fear. For example, I don't see a gun and immediately feel afraid. As has been pointed out, it's an inanimate object. However, when I see a gun in the hands of a loony, I feel fear, which is employed as my defense mechanism. I personally think there's a big distinction there.

What does everyone else think?

[MaggieL]

Originally Posted by Aliantha

However, when I see a gun in the hands of a loony, I feel fear...

How do you identify loonies? Because they have a gun? Or because they just "look that way"?

[Elspode]

Originally Posted by MaggieL

How do you identify loonies? Because they have a gun? Or because they just "look that way"?

Quite correct. You only know a loony with a gun *after* they've shot up the schoolhouse full of Amish children.

[Aliantha]

Originally Posted by MaggieL

How do you identify loonies? Because they have a gun? Or because they just "look that way"?

I identify them as the ones trying to shoot innocent people.

[MaggieL]

Originally Posted by Aliantha

I identify them as the ones trying to shoot innocent people.

They may be loonies. Or they may simply be criminals.

There's a difference between insanity and ethical impairment.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by Aliantha

I didn't specify what you were afraid of, I only reasoned fear is the only thing that would make you care .... and I was right.

Actually, according to research, fear is at the root of anger, not caring.

I don't think you have to fear something to think it's wrong. Of course, you could argue that there is a root fear, but that's based on a lot more things than the simple emotion brought about which is named fear. For example, I don't see a gun and immediately feel afraid. As has been pointed out, it's an inanimate object. However, when I see a gun in the hands of a loony, I feel fear, which is employed as my defense mechanism. I personally think there's a big distinction there.

What does everyone else think?

Nonsense. Would you care if I had a kitten? Would you care if I had a boat? Would you care if I had a toaster? No, you only care if I have a gun, because you're not afraid of what I will do with a kitten, boat or toaster.

The only reason you care, the only reason you think you're entitled to pass judgement, is your fear. :p

[Flint]

There are rational and irrational fears, right? Like: fear of fire, fear of heights, these are probably pretty good, instinctive responses.
Fear of deadly weapons, this seems to fall in the rational category. Fear of kittens or toasters, these would be irrational. ...

btw: I'll take my answer "off the air" ...I don't plan to spend the next 50 posts defending a position I haven't stated. I know how these "debates" get.

[Urbane Guerrilla]

Oh, that shooting the loony is one possible course of action that could be constructive -- from everyone's point of view except the loony's.

It tends to take the pressure off to know he can't threaten your continued healthy existence without your having a rebuttal to hand.

PM John Major and the Australian Parliament euchred you Ozzies out of that, by and large, you know. Fortunately for reducing crime and increasing common sense, the pendulum now seems to be swinging the other way. Once you once again encourage self defense even unto extremity, your crime rate will permanently plummet: it's just human nature. One shouldn't make laws that fly in its face.

[Aliantha]

John Howard thanks UG, and there was a referendum on the subject of semi-automatic weapons only. Citizens were never permitted to carry concealable weapons prior to that referendum in any case. The only difference now is that people in the city who have no explainable use for a semi are not allowed to have them. People in rural settings are still allowed to have them for reasonable purposes.

I think you'll find the crime rate in Australia is substantially lower than that of the US. More facts required?