Now that is ridiculous, John. I doubt you will find a single person anywhere who feels a weapon suitable for concealed carry is suitable for defense against planes or bombs. Firearms are also not useful against fires, automobile crashes and sinking ships. Firearms ARE useful for self defense. According to the best study available, in the US they are suitable for that about two million times a year.

John also wrote: ” More often than not, 7-11 clerks who are armed get shot more often during a robbery than those who aren’t.”

OK, let’s see your source for that sound bite. Did you know that 7-11 forbids their employees bringing weapons to work?

Those who fear firearms often make up “facts” because the real facts oppose their ideas. For example, you mentioned Florida. Florida has just enjoyed the lowest crime rate it has had since records have been kept.

I don’t mind if you oppose firearms. It is your choice. Just don’t try to make it MY choice.

-dan z-

There are issues with guns: do you lock them up, and risk not being able to get to them in time, but also risk a young or stupid visitor playing with them and shooting somebody, or criminal getting to them before you do… A gun sport, and gun activist, friend of mine was shot accidentialy by his son at a firing range; a seemingly safe situation (it was small cal. and single shot and he healed) Familiarity is important with guns, but when does familiarity lead to lack of safety? What is the protocol for gun use? Does the woman know how to shoot, would she? Would the teen “borrow” your guns, and who would he try to impress? All these are questions that need to be answered, and I’m not sure everyone who owns guns want to think about all this. They should.

A friend of my wife’s was at our house the other day and the topic of conversation shifted from the the normal women BS to the concerns of what the current administration was planning to do about our gun laws. The friend asked me if I had a gun in our house to which I said, I certainly do! Several as a matter of fact. She asked me if they were loaded. I said of course they’re loaded, they can’t work unless there loaded.with bullets. She then asked if I was afraid if someone was going to break into our house. I said no I wasn’t afraid of that happening, no more than I’m afraid of my house burning down but I keep a loaded fire extinguisher in the house too, just in case.

She then said you know guns kill people. I then said is that so? and I quoted something I once heard along time ago that has stuck with me for years. I replied, If guns kill people then pencils misspell words, cars make people drive drunk and spoons made Rosie O’Donnell fat! She sulled up like an opossum and dropped the subject.

Jeeze, I’ve had guns around forever. I got my first one when I was 8 years old for Christmas and too this day I have not pointed them at anybody but, if i need too I will for the protection of my family or my possessions. It works alot better than pointing my finger and saying stop or I’ll crap my pants!

To me guns are a sporting tool just like a baseball bat or a football. It’s kind of hard to enjoy the sport if your not properly outfitted for it.

Bob, this is another excellent post. Keep up the thought provoking work!

Originally Posted By Craig BieberNice story Bob. Unfortunately, I believe the fear that many Americans feel is simply a reaction to the reality that surrounds us…a reality that is all too visible in a world that inundates us with media images of the horrors and random acts of violence that are happening all over America. We didn’t get bombarded in the same way years ago when you and Claire made your marvelous trip, but it was still there on the evening news every day. The current spate of senseless killings that range from groups of policemen to rooms full of immigrants sends the message to everyone that they need to be prepared, because it can happen to anyone at any time. All of that makes it obvious to me why people who are less adventurous than you and Claire would believe that you are vulnerable on a bicycle trip like you took.

Sorry Craig. I did misunderstand. I took the “…need to be prepared because it can happen to anyone at any time.” to mean be prepared to defend ourselves.

Owning a gun does not really offer you any more safety from the typical criminal than not having one. Are you going to drive around with a pistol in your lap – just in case you might be car-jacked? Are you going to carry one into the local Walgreens – in anticipation of a possible raid by whacked out druggies? Are you going to take one to your child’s school, just in case a kidnapper or pervert happens to be roaming the schoolyard? Would you carry one in a holster or in your pocket all day in your own home, just in case the postman (you know their history) or pizza delivery guy (mostly ex-cons and crazy teenagers) decide to ring your bell and then bust through your door?

I think the Constitutional right to bear arms has been settled. We have that right to own a gun – for any valid personal purpose and self-protection. On the other hand, I see no reason at all why AK-47s and M-16s are being sold over-the-counter at gun shops and flea markets. Why would any citizen not involved with law enforcement or the military need armor piercing bullets? If I owned any of these weapons I would be in constant FEAR that someone WOULD break into my house to steal my guns or that one of my grandchildren would come for visit and decide to go target shooting in the backyard. Or even worse – what if I really pissed off my wife?

Let’s face it: Having a gun was no advantage to anyone during the 9/11 attacks. There were armed guards and military police on duty at the Pentagon when it was hit. They had no advantage over their unarmed co-workers. More often than not, 7-11 clerks who are armed get shot more often during a robbery than those who aren’t.

It is true that when the state of Florida modified their concealed weapon laws to allow average citizens to carry guns, certain types of crimes did go down. But criminals are a smart bunch, so they simply changed their approach to their job of robbing homes or mugging people. So crime went back up again almost immediately – but now the poor and elderly were the prime targets. The state’s drug dealers, most of who already carried guns – license or no – continued to die at a growing rate.

And bars on windows? Any determined burglar can get past them, but in case of a fire, homeowners and their children can’t. But they do serve one good purpose: Doors and windows with bars will drive down property values faster than any recession can.

I think it is our seeming vulnerability that may protect us. We pose no threat, and little opportunity for the bad guys. How many bicycle jackings have you heard of? They want your valuable car and the gun in the glove box, not our sleeping bag and tent. And don’t discount the kindness of strangers: In Turkey, in the middle of the Iraq war, I saw people calm a yelling young man who did seem to hate America. The others knew that a man and a woman on a tandem bicycle did not hate them, or we would not have made ourselves so vulnerable to them. Jesus got it right. It was the establishment who killed him, not random violence.

By the way, I support the Second Amendment. I do believe the First Amendment is more powerful, and better represents America to the world.

Originally Posted By Eric RushThought-provoking piece, Bob.
It would be interesting to see a breakdown, if one exists, indicatiing whether or not there is a correlation between fearfulness and armament, and, if there is, to what degree.
Not all gun nuts are fearful, and I’m sure not all fearful people own guns.
It would, I think, be perhaps more interesting to see if there is a correlation between religious faith and fearfulness. It’s been my limited observation that those of us without religious faith are less afraid of dying than are our religious brethern.

I doubt there is a direct correlation. I wasn’t talking about gun nuts, as you say, just people who thought we should have a gun. Having a gun is not always the answer to threats, or perceived threats. A police officer once told me he won’t ready his gun unless he is prepared to take a life. That is a sobering thought.

I agree with you that religious people seem more afraid of death. It doesn’t make sense considering the promise of afterlife that is central to most faiths.