US Supreme Court extends gun rights

[Alakazam17]

Good. The second amendment explicitly protects the rights of the populace to own handguns, and for good reason.
Situation 1: guns banned
Criminal: doesn't care about ban, has gun
Me: no gun
Me == dead
Situation 2: guns not banned
Criminal: trouble getting gun due to criminal background checks
Me: gun
Me == fine

I'm planning on buying a handgun soon for protection, and possibly a shotgun for home defense. Meanwhile, my combat knife will have to do the job.

If it's so hard for the criminals to get guns if they're not banned, won't they just resort to breaking into your house while your not home, and getting the gun anyway? >_<

Maybe it's because I don't live in a country where can walk into a grocery store carrying a gun while nobody bats an eyelash, but I'm somewhat surprised by all the positive reactions to the original post. Yes, I do see the logic in saying that banning guns hurts the "good" citizens more, but I'd still like to think that there's a better way. For instance, banning guns from the common-folk should decrease the chances of guns being handled illegally. Because if twocows' home was broken into, there would be no gun to swipe.

But then there's illegal production and smuggling from abroad to worry about, heh. Though seriously, I think that, and not whether or not anyone can get their hands on one legally, is what should be the main concern for worry.

 

[Åzurε]

If it's so hard for the criminals to get guns if they're not banned, won't they just resort to breaking into your house while your not home, and getting the gun anyway? >_<

They could, but unless they're stalkers too, they don't know whether people could be in there or not. For all they know, somebody could already be holding onto the gun they want, with a bullet in the chamber.

You know, a bunch of what's running through my head ventures into psychology. Self-preservation versus selfish gain, thrillseeking and rebellion... It's all convoluted if I try to type it out.

Maybe it's because I don't live in a country where can walk into a grocery store carrying a gun while nobody bats an eyelash, but I'm somewhat surprised by all the positive reactions to the original post. Yes, I do see the logic in saying that banning guns hurts the "good" citizens more, but I'd still like to think that there's a better way. For instance, banning guns from the common-folk should decrease the chances of guns being handled illegally. Because if twocows' home was broken into, there would be no gun to swipe.

You're exaggerating. People who don't care about laws don't care about laws. It's simply the path of least resistance to getting what you want, and assuming what you want is a gun, it probably wouldn't be too hard. Small countries banning guns bordering other countries that don't... There's something problematic there.

But then there's illegal production and smuggling from abroad to worry about, heh. Though seriously, I think that, and not whether or not anyone can get their hands on one legally, is what should be the main concern for worry.

Nails on heads, sister. If law-abiding people can't protect themselves as effectively as criminals.... Where does that leave you?

 

[twocows]

If it's so hard for the criminals to get guns if they're not banned, won't they just resort to breaking into your house while your not home, and getting the gun anyway? >_<

Maybe it's because I don't live in a country where can walk into a grocery store carrying a gun while nobody bats an eyelash, but I'm somewhat surprised by all the positive reactions to the original post. Yes, I do see the logic in saying that banning guns hurts the "good" citizens more, but I'd still like to think that there's a better way. For instance, banning guns from the common-folk should decrease the chances of guns being handled illegally. Because if twocows' home was broken into, there would be no gun to swipe.

But then there's illegal production and smuggling from abroad to worry about, heh. Though seriously, I think that, and not whether or not anyone can get their hands on one legally, is what should be the main concern for worry.

If my home is broken into, I will wake up because I have a dog, and my dog will be sure to let me know what's going on (he's very noisy and not a fan of intruders). Nobody's going to swipe anything when I know they're there and I have a shotgun next to my bed. Not to mention if a criminal wanted a gun, they'd probably check somewhere that actually looks like it might have guns, not a random suburban home. On the other hand, if someone breaks into my house and I'm not allowed to have a gun, they'll probably have one anyway (far more likely scenario than them breaking in to get a gun). Now I'm at risk because I have no way to defend myself, so I have to stand by and watch my place get robbed, and possibly myself or my dog get hurt.

The background checks don't prevent criminals from getting guns, they just make it harder. It's not really about stopping them from getting guns as it is about arming the citizenry so they can defend themselves. Criminals usually go after easy targets that look like they have a lot of valuables so they can get some quick cash. They're less likely to go after people who are armed because they might get hurt.

And in most places in the US, you can't walk into a grocery store with a non-concealed weapon and have people look at you normally. I'm not sure it's even legal to do that.

 

[FreakyLocz14]

If my home is broken into, I will wake up because I have a dog, and my dog will be sure to let me know what's going on (he's very noisy and not a fan of intruders). Nobody's going to swipe anything when I know they're there and I have a shotgun next to my bed. Not to mention if a criminal wanted a gun, they'd probably check somewhere that actually looks like it might have guns, not a random suburban home. On the other hand, if someone breaks into my house and I'm not allowed to have a gun, they'll probably have one anyway (far more likely scenario than them breaking in to get a gun). Now I'm at risk because I have no way to defend myself, so I have to stand by and watch my place get robbed, and possibly myself or my dog get hurt.

The background checks don't prevent criminals from getting guns, they just make it harder. It's not really about stopping them from getting guns as it is about arming the citizenry so they can defend themselves. Criminals usually go after easy targets that look like they have a lot of valuables so they can get some quick cash. They're less likely to go after people who are armed because they might get hurt.

And in most places in the US, you can't walk into a grocery store with a non-concealed weapon and have people look at you normally. I'm not sure it's even legal to do that.

Whether if that's legal or not varies. Some place don't allow guns in public, some require a license, while some allow easy carry as long as it's not concealed.