Has the world gone nuts

[Ban Hammer 15,127]

I my myself have experienced in some ways about guns. I never seen a gun or had an experience with any untill my first trip to the USA. In the 4 months I was there, 1 old lady was robbed, shot and killed in her own home. Approx 1 month later 2 young girls were shot dead on the back of the head. These 3 murders were all in the same street I lived in.

I couldnt believe what happened. In other times I was there, I seen young teenagers with shotguns, I seen adults with guns and this was all in a timeframe of 4 months. Not the best of experiences by any means.

In my eyes the USA is gun happy and part of the culture. Take a look back at the old black and white movies. There was hardly a film made that didnt show guns eg- Westerns, Gangster films.

as a teen, i was with a shotgun. also with a rifle. not killed anyone yet, but i have been known to decimate flocks of mourning doves........

[Cassie 8]

And this: "The only real protection against a gun is another gun." is one of the most ridiculous things I have heard.

You wouldn't think it's ridiculous if you had a gun in your face, now would'ya?

If I had a gun in a my face, I'd probably be too scared to move, let alone remember where my gun is and the combination to the safe it would be in.

Maybe if you had a gun, were comfortable and proficient in its use, guns would cease to intimidate you so and you'd actually find that you do, in fact, possess the ability to remember where your gun is and the combination to the safe.....

I am not intimidated by a gun. I refuse to be intimidated enough by "the possibility of coming in contact with a bad guy with a gun" that I need to "protect" myself with one.

Oh, and I've had a stroke, so remembering things during a stressful time usually doesn't work for me, comfortable or not.

I don't recall anybody suggesting you buy a gun. Your attitude and abilities are yours, not mine or anybody else's. I know where my gun is and can push the five buttons and turn the dial within a few seconds, in the dark, if needed. In the meantime, I don't worry about my grandchildren having any accidents.

People like you probably shouldn't own guns, not because you're a moron or a criminal but because you're somebody best protected by others, if at all, when/if that kind of protection is ever needed. No shame in that whatsoever.

No, but the inference is there, pretty clearly throughout this thread if I might add, that my only real source of protection in this world from the big bad meanies is to have a gun and shoot first.

[Krikit 1,166]

Chris Rock is da man!

Oh, and there's another reason why I can't come into OT anymore. Your avatar pic scares the beejeebers out of me, Troll.

as a teen, i was with a shotgun. also with a rifle. not killed anyone yet, but i have been known to decimate flocks of mourning doves........

And there's one of the reasons why I love Americans.... their sense of humour. Thanks Charles. (Charles is referencing something from quite a while ago for those who are wondering why I found this funny.)

[natty bumppo 297]

Some of the responses in here make me sad. They also make me very aware that a lot of Americans do not trust each other and/or are afraid of each other. And then there is that certain someone who is just an a s s.

Yep. I think I'll go back to not reading OT.

Don't forget to mention the illegals only trying to steal a buck ....

[pushbrk 14,450]

And this: "The only real protection against a gun is another gun." is one of the most ridiculous things I have heard.

You wouldn't think it's ridiculous if you had a gun in your face, now would'ya?

If I had a gun in a my face, I'd probably be too scared to move, let alone remember where my gun is and the combination to the safe it would be in.

Maybe if you had a gun, were comfortable and proficient in its use, guns would cease to intimidate you so and you'd actually find that you do, in fact, possess the ability to remember where your gun is and the combination to the safe.....

I am not intimidated by a gun. I refuse to be intimidated enough by "the possibility of coming in contact with a bad guy with a gun" that I need to "protect" myself with one.

Oh, and I've had a stroke, so remembering things during a stressful time usually doesn't work for me, comfortable or not.

I don't recall anybody suggesting you buy a gun. Your attitude and abilities are yours, not mine or anybody else's. I know where my gun is and can push the five buttons and turn the dial within a few seconds, in the dark, if needed. In the meantime, I don't worry about my grandchildren having any accidents.

People like you probably shouldn't own guns, not because you're a moron or a criminal but because you're somebody best protected by others, if at all, when/if that kind of protection is ever needed. No shame in that whatsoever.

No, but the inference is there, pretty clearly throughout this thread if I might add, that my only real source of protection in this world from the big bad meanies is to have a gun and shoot first.

Sometimes it's difficult to separate issues but in general, when people express their opinions about themselves or others, they are not expressing an opinion about what you "should do."

If an armed intruder enters your home, how are you going to protect yourself? This is the first time in this thread anybody has asked you such a direct question. Nevertheless it is just a question, not a suggestion you should purchase a gun. The question and your answer to it will lead you where it will based on your own priorities, values and self assessment just as it has others. Your answer and related decisions are just as valid as anybody elses and theirs as valid as yours.

[sara..... 371]

And this: "The only real protection against a gun is another gun." is one of the most ridiculous things I have heard.

You wouldn't think it's ridiculous if you had a gun in your face, now would'ya?

If I had a gun in a my face, I'd probably be too scared to move, let alone remember where my gun is and the combination to the safe it would be in.

Maybe if you had a gun, were comfortable and proficient in its use, guns would cease to intimidate you so and you'd actually find that you do, in fact, possess the ability to remember where your gun is and the combination to the safe.....

I am not intimidated by a gun. I refuse to be intimidated enough by "the possibility of coming in contact with a bad guy with a gun" that I need to "protect" myself with one.

Oh, and I've had a stroke, so remembering things during a stressful time usually doesn't work for me, comfortable or not.

I don't recall anybody suggesting you buy a gun. Your attitude and abilities are yours, not mine or anybody else's. I know where my gun is and can push the five buttons and turn the dial within a few seconds, in the dark, if needed. In the meantime, I don't worry about my grandchildren having any accidents.

People like you probably shouldn't own guns, not because you're a moron or a criminal but because you're somebody best protected by others, if at all, when/if that kind of protection is ever needed. No shame in that whatsoever.

No, but the inference is there, pretty clearly throughout this thread if I might add, that my only real source of protection in this world from the big bad meanies is to have a gun and shoot first.

Sometimes it's difficult to separate issues but in general, when people express their opinions about themselves or others, they are not expressing an opinion about what you "should do."

If an armed intruder enters your home, how are you going to protect yourself? This is the first time in this thread anybody has asked you such a direct question. Nevertheless it is just a question, not a suggestion you should purchase a gun. The question and your answer to it will lead you where it will based on your own priorities, values and self assessment just as it has others. Your answer and related decisions are just as valid as anybody elses and theirs as valid as yours.

[Fandango 1,440]

And this: "The only real protection against a gun is another gun." is one of the most ridiculous things I have heard.

Ok, if that's the case...what IS some real protection against guns? We're talkin the illegal, intruder in yer face kind. If it's not a gun, then what is it?

[PlatyPius 5]

Luckily, people in the UK don't have guns. With no guns, there can be no violence or killing, correct?

Harry Potter Actor Fatally Stabbed in Bar Brawl

[pushbrk 14,450]

And this: "The only real protection against a gun is another gun." is one of the most ridiculous things I have heard.

Ok, if that's the case...what IS some real protection against guns? We're talkin the illegal, intruder in yer face kind. If it's not a gun, then what is it?

Reminds my of my favorite scene in the original Indian Jones. Don't bring a knife to a gun fight.

[Peikko 1,575]

Luckily, people in the UK don't have guns. With no guns, there can be no violence or killing, correct?

Harry Potter Actor Fatally Stabbed in Bar Brawl

Who made that particulary claim? Violence isn't new in any society but would the presence of guns increase or decrease the death rate in these type of instances?

[britty 1]

Luckily, people in the UK don't have guns. With no guns, there can be no violence or killing, correct?

Harry Potter Actor Fatally Stabbed in Bar Brawl

Who made that particulary claim? Violence isn't new in any society but would the presence of guns increase or decrease the death rate in these type of instances?

The accused is being held for murder so there was intent. We cannot account for the deranged or the plain evil sickos, so a gun may well have saved the victims life, if he had had one of course. This may have resulted in the death of the murderer, but surely thats one more danger off our streets and might send a message to other crims.

[jundp 191]

Luckily, people in the UK don't have guns. With no guns, there can be no violence or killing, correct?

Harry Potter Actor Fatally Stabbed in Bar Brawl

[Krikit 1,166]

Luckily, people in the UK don't have guns. With no guns, there can be no violence or killing, correct?

Harry Potter Actor Fatally Stabbed in Bar Brawl

Who made that particulary claim? Violence isn't new in any society but would the presence of guns increase or decrease the death rate in these type of instances?

The accused is being held for murder so there was intent. We cannot account for the deranged or the plain evil sickos, so a gun may well have saved the victims life, if he had had one of course. This may have resulted in the death of the murderer, but surely thats one more danger off our streets and might send a message to other crims.

Or hastened it. Or ended an innocent bystander's life. Or ended many innocent bystander's lives. Or been stolen and used in a crime and ended some other unfortunate victim's life. Or or or.

[natty bumppo 297]

Luckily, people in the UK don't have guns. With no guns, there can be no violence or killing, correct?

Harry Potter Actor Fatally Stabbed in Bar Brawl

Who made that particulary claim? Violence isn't new in any society but would the presence of guns increase or decrease the death rate in these type of instances?

The accused is being held for murder so there was intent. We cannot account for the deranged or the plain evil sickos, so a gun may well have saved the victims life, if he had had one of course. This may have resulted in the death of the murderer, but surely thats one more danger off our streets and might send a message to other crims.

Or hastened it. Or ended an innocent bystander's life. Or ended many innocent bystander's lives. Or been stolen and used in a crime and ended some other unfortunate victim's life. Or or or.

Guess we need boats for all those "ors" ...

[Peikko 1,575]

I'm with you on the endless list of negative possibities Kritkit. The 'happy' ending scenario isn't the most obvious conclusion at all - it was a bar brawl, these guys were probably all at least a little drunk and angry. Bringing guns into that mix on top of the knife doesn't seem a very happy recipe to me.