IRONCHEF wrote:
I'd also think that once the armed society comes to terms with their success at deterring violence, then people would carry less often, they'd leave doors unlocked again, keys in the ignition...like they do in armed rural areas across the country.
Bschuss, I too like your experiment, but it doesn't even have to be compulsory..just "let" the citizens do what is legally theirs to do...carry if they want to. as people get paranoid in the suburban and urban areas, let them train, equip, train, practice, certify themselves and then carry. At least those paranoid people could protect themselves in parking lots, on walks, in commerce, and near the home. They could breath a little easier knowing they could protect their family from some little assholes preying on whoever comes to the park next. I'm paranoid beyond belief that my wife, who works part time some weeknight evenings, who comes home late, may get assaulted or carjacked in our condo parking lot. From our 2nd floor bedroom window, I have complete and total fire control over the parking lot and the area my wife would pull up. It's not more than 15 feet from my muzzle....if I could legally carry, or if my wife could legally carry, we wouldn't have to worry as much ("as much") about me making shots from our window..I could go down, outside, around the building to the parking lot and confront anybody assaulting my wife...whereas I'd go to jail if I shot from our bedroom at someone assaulting my wife. Yes, "gun control" in California has removed the "Castle Doctrine" from our ever diminishing list of rights...and I'd have committed murder shooting a badguy assaulting my wife in front of my eyes....just 15 feet from our home.
but don't you find it sad, IC, that your society has come to that ? That your preceived security has reached such a low that you'd prefer to arm yourselves to feel safe again ? That you cannot trust law enforcement authorities to keep crime at a reasonable level ?
You, gentlemen, speak of deterrence. A valuable concept. However, usually violence will simply breed more violence. When I look at the implications of arming large sections of the population, I am afraid putting more guns in circulation will simply lead to more people using them. A vicious circle, if you will. And soon, you could reach a point where criminals will shoot down their potential victim "just to make sure", and then take what they want from their cold, dead hands...(sic!)
Up until this day, my life has been crime-free, if you will. I have never been the victim of a violent crime, robbery, or assault, I have never had someone break into my home. I have never had a criminal put a gun to my head. The maximum level of violence I have been exposed to was probably a bar fight. You get the idea.
I have often asked myself how I would feel if I ever became the victim of a crime. Would I freak out, buy tons of self-defense stuff ( CS gas, tazers, knifes ) or simply accept it as part of the society we live in ?
I talked to someone from New York recently, who told me that in New York they're basically being robbed at gunpoint regularly. It has become part of their daily life, if you will.
And I asked the guy "but how do you feel about that ? Doesn't it make you want to get a gun, and shoot the fucker?"
"No", he answered, "I'd rather live through that experience than risk my life for a couple of bucks and a cell phone."
I can understand that in some cases, people would want to have a gun at home, to protect their families. A shotgun, for example.
About CWP's, though, I am not so sure.
Has anyone of you ever been the victim of a crime ? If so, has it affected your views on gun laws, self defense, etc ?
