[SOC] Rifles, guns, weapons etc... -

[Richard Brunner]

Re:
"Why do you feel the need to own a weapon ?"

Self-defense is a valid answer.  If a drug crazed maniac or rapist is kicking in your 
door you need help NOW.  If you are able to call the police, police response time 
varies from five minutes to 50 minutes, or not at all, and better a dead maniac or 
rapist than another innocent victim. (you)   Many lives are saved and crimes 
prevented in America with personally owned firearms.  Also note that the courts 
have held time and again that the police are not obligated to defend everyone at all 
times.  There is also the old saw that if guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have 
guns, and it is true.  Canada, the UK, France (I think) and Australia have virtually 
outlawed private posession of guns, and in all cases crime has soared.  Indeed, 
today you are safer in New York City than in the UK.  You don't HAVE to be a 
victim. 

Criminals in prison have been questioned on this point, and their only fear is 
confronting an armed intended victim.  Apparently no-one wants to be shot...  
Presently about 30 states have right to carry laws.  Now, only maybe 5% of the 
people will bother, but criminals don't know which 5%, and in all cases crime has 
gone down.  Or, they concentrate on foreign visitors whom they know will be 
unarmed.  

Some people merely like to shoot, which is a pretty harmless hobby.

Also, historically, governments that don't trust the people always limit access to 
weapons.  In ye olden days peasants were prohibited from owning large edged 
weapons - no swords or spears, etc.  More recently in the 1920's or 30's in England 
the "Leadership" was worried about a Communist revolution and outlawed guns, 
except for the gentry of course.  There was no Communist threat, but the law 
remains.  Today in Poland there is more freedom of gun ownership than in all of
 Europe.

Richard Brunner, AA1P