Pierre wrote:
Hi Albert, thx for your reply.
1) That's what culture is all about: many differences but also some basic 'overall same principles'
2) my wish is to ride a bike from east to west as one of my German friends has done recently, one day... Oh well, we'll see.
3) you are prepared to defend yourself coz you have to be prepared since the society is what it is. But when you have to be in that state of mind, it's seems odd to me.
4) My question is in general: I saw a US documentary the other day about the differences between Canada and the US, and the fact that in the US were more deaths caused by gunfire than in Canada while Canada has a lot of guns too (sports and hunting). So why is there the difference?
5) Western Europe has seen a steady invasion of criminal gangs from the former East European countries who come here to burglar someones homes, do car and home-jacking, theft, etc., and before you know all goods have crossed the border........
.....problem with education and jobs, and self-esteem, so the path to a criminal career for a part of them is blinking.
6) But while people here talk about it, there seems to be no basic desire to arm themselves.
Pierre, thank you for your well thought out response, your english is wonderful, you are the first European who I've been able to talk about decently about this topic, it is very refreshing when someone talks about this issue with intelligence and respect, so thanks!
I've numbered you're statements for response in the quote above so:
1) You hit the issue right on the head, the question of difference in culture is not neccessarily about guns, but about the people in that culture and what they are willing to do with guns and other tools such as knives, cars, swords, etc. There are so many people who are killed by drunk drivers and other car accidents its overwhelming in this country, and it is so easily avoidable, people need to slow down and not drink and drive.
2) That sounds like a lot of fun!! I wish I could do that do, good luck with that.
3) In a way it is odd, I'm glad you at least understand where I'm coming from here. It is not that I have a mindset that when I go out SOMETHING will happen, or even that something is PROBABLE to happen, I want to be prepared for any scenario, because there are many crimes that are prevented every year by lawful citizens carrying and using firearms against would be rapists, murderers, and robbers. Example:
ArizonaRepublic wrote:
PHOENIX, ARIZONA -- A man opened fire and wounded two people before a concerned neighbor of the victims grabbed a gun and shot him, authorities said.
All three were in serious condition Friday.
The unidentified neighbor "did what he thought was right in a very deadly encounter," said Detective Tony Morales, a Phoenix police spokesman. Two of the victims, Jorge Guzman, 24, and Cardenia Guzman, 26, were reported in serious condition at Good Samaritan Medical Center.
The family relation of the Guzmans, if any, was not immediately determined.
A man suspected of shooting both of them, Martin Talavera, 26, was reported in serious condition at Maricopa Medical Center, Morales said.
Investigators believe the shooting occurred after Talavera showed up about 1:35 a.m. at a home in the 3600 block of West Latham Street, south of McDowell Road, and got into some kind of argument with the Guzmans, Morales said.
The 24-year-old neighbor, hearing the commotion, grabbed a weapon and shot Talavera, Morales said.
No charges are expected against the neighbor because police believe he acted legally by using deadly force to protect the lives of other people, Morales said.
Police withheld the neighbor's name to protect the man from possible retribution.
Reach reporter Brent Whiting at (602) 444-xxxx.
From an Arizona newspaper.
At any rate All that I stress is being prepared, being able to defend yourself should the need arise.
4) Thats an excellent question Pierre, while Canada enjoys the use of firearms, they do not have nearly the same amount of firearms nor the same amount of gang and criminal activity than we do here in the U.S. Documentary's are usually a tad one sided, especially when it comes to guns. The problem is that people look at guns and freak out because they are so deadly. But ultimately it is not the guns that are the problem, it is the person's BEHAVIOR behind a gun that is the problem. This is a SOCIAL problem, not a gun ownership one. As I said before, the difference is Canadian culture and lack of number and intensity of gangs and associated violence that there exists in major cities in the U.S.
Another contributing factor is the ignorance that many people have with firearms, most people against firearms know very little about them mechanically and legally. I study law at school so I have to know this kinda stuff I suppose. There are many other contributing factors to your question, it is a very complex one but the simple answer is culture, culture, culture. And when I say culture it has nothing to do with the stereotypical euro stance that Americans are in love with guns, etc. It has to do with social behavior, attitude, and politeness. I don't have guns because society isn't polite, I have guns because a small percentage of said society is on the fringe of mental stableness and will do anything in some cases to kill, rob, or hurt you. Its not society as a whole, its only a small percentage, so to say society isn't polite due to guns, is a gross overgeneralization.
5) So I've heard from other people, thats too bad, but I'm glad you guys have people there, or at least a smaller percentage of people that are criminals.
6) Thats too bad.
Pierre I would like to thank you once again for engaging with me a diligent conversation about this topic, if I was unclear on anything or you have any more questions feel free to ask. Thanks and have a good day.
