Dartz Wrote:Our firearms laws aren't really that different from what Jferio suggests. You need to have a purpose to own it. And a place to shoot it. Many farmers are armed for 'pest control' and there're cases where burglars have been shot while fleeing and it's been held up as self defence. Buts it's very tightly controlled and each time it's been tested in court before a judge rather than being written off.I do view it as a course of "need". Like I have never had a purpose to own a firearm, thus I personally don't own one. But as long as you have a legitimate reason (other than carrying it "just in case someone threatens me", which is definitely not a good reason and leads to violent escalation when it happens), I have no brook with owning firearms.
And, of course, if you're one of the sorts that feels like having a large private armory for your eventual rise up against the tyranny of government... well, most rebellions in history have tended to slip the noose of gun control to manage it. I really don't think one here wouldn't be any different. But those are effectively not in the list of reasons for gun control, but that's a whole other bucket of fish that's outside the scope of the topic.
On a slightly unrelated note, Adam Savage got a gun license to get two guns to demill and disassemble to make a duplicate of the Bladerunner gun prop for himself. I was definitely touched that he went to the trouble, although that might have been following laws to the letter.
Quote:And tbh, I'd much rather put my faith in a good door lock, strong window frames and a reliable house-alarm and dog to keep intruders away, rather than a weapon that will have to be secured away from the reach of children and hidden safely. I'd rather keep them out of my house entirely than deal with them indoors, and I know no burglar wants to deal with an awake and riled homeowner, no matter who's armed with what. They'd rather go to the house down the street that's obviously empty... or un-alarmed, or has a window left open.The best defense against home invasion is to make another target look more appetizing, or at least to avoid looking juicier than the neighbors. The alarms and door locks are not necessarily going to stop a determined thief or assailant... but most who are just looking for a quick haul, any complication to their "smash and grab invasion" will make them move on to the next target without even making the attempt.
I tend to avoid walking through the areas of town that I feel like one should be packing heat to be there, or might be considered a victim. Especially at night. Having a firearm on my hip would really be the worst thing to do for me in those circumstances.
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"You know how parents tell you everything's going to fine, but you know they're lying to make you feel better? Everything's going to be fine." - The Doctor