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comment by mk
mk  ·  4646 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Md. Gun Law Found Unconstitutional
I haven't a clue. I don't think they are good for protection. We always had guns for hunting. I suppose if someone broke into your house, you could shoot them, and a shotgun would be the gun of choice to kill someone in a house, but I am not sure why you would. It would be better to just leave the house, if able. If you had no exit, I suppose you could corner up with a gun. But, you are likely to regret it. My pal had a blackout drunk guy break into his house (I think the guy thought he was locked out of his own). Anyway, if he had a gun, the guy might have died for it.

As for carrying concealed, I think it's ridiculous. If someone pulls a gun on you, you want to give them what they want (your car, wallet, etc.,) and walk away regardless of whether or not you have a gun. Pulling a gun in defense means that you better start shooting to kill. That's a lame thing to do over something that can easily be replaced, IMO. And most people that are shot don't go down. They are most likely to take a bullet and shoot back at you. Most people don't realize that the force of impact of a bullet is actually quite small.

I think concealed guns mostly comes from misplaced bravado. I suppose if you were in actual combat with a gun in the military, you might be able to effectively protect yourself with one, but even then, you might shoot someone nearby accidentally in the process.

The truth is, If you have a gun, the person that is most likely to be killed by it is yourself or a loved one. That's just how it goes.





haywire  ·  4645 days ago  ·  link  ·  
Your arguments, although interesting, are a bit superficial. I hold both a resident and non-resident CCW. My reasoning is simply because I can. Now, I know how that must sound. But consider the indiscriminate way that criminals act. Try to post "reason" to their actions. Their reasoning is as faulty as the crime itself.

Years ago, a doctor friend of my father's was at a drive up ATM in the Cape Coral area of Florida. While being held at gun point for what was, at the time, a $200 max withdrawal, the assailant decided not to leave a witness, and killed the doctor. Meaningless crime, and loss of life.

I hope the need for my weapon to ever leave it's holster never arises. I wouldn't want to make the decision, or distinctions, that would end anyone's life; myself included. I can't honestly say that if surprised by a would be thief that was after my wallet that I would risk my life or those with me for a replaceable, tangible thing. The event I am on guard against is the one that separates my life, or my family's life, from me.

If, as you state, misplaced bravado is a faulty reason used to possess a CCW, then I would agree that that individual is not a good candidate. I am probably a bit older than most who post on this site, so I have a benefit of years, and a even tempered disposition to help balance the distasteful possibility of ending a life.

mk  ·  4645 days ago  ·  link  ·  
Regarding the scenario that you mentioned in support of your position: The problem IMO is it is very difficult to know if a thief is going to shoot or not. If the thief does, you are most likely already out of luck. If you do pull the gun, you've escalated, and the thief will likely shoot in response. So, you might have turned a non-lethal situation into one. As a result, IMO, you either have to decide beforehand either: 1) that you will allow yourself to be robbed in most every event, and only pull the gun when you are certain that you (or a loved one) is going to be killed, or 2) consider that anyone that pulls a gun on you forfeited their life, and look for the first opportunity to kill them.

The problem with 1, is that there is only a very slim chance that you'll have certainty, and then be able to use your gun to effect. The problem with 2 is that you risk escalating non-lethal situations into one, and as it stands, most armed robbery doesn't result in murder.

When you consider the slight possibly benefit of carrying, and weigh it against the possible accidents and scenarios gone wrong, I just don't think it is worth the risks.

That said, I do support your right to carry, and I just hope that are very conservative about your carrying and use.

Also, you might be surprised at the age range here. It's pretty large.

b_b  ·  4646 days ago  ·  link  ·  
>I think concealed guns mostly comes from misplaced bravado.

Like Teddy Roosevelt said (paraphrasing): Cowardice is the worst sin known to man.

thenewgreen  ·  4646 days ago  ·  link  ·  
He then proceeded to get shot in the chest, stumbled at the podium removed a bloody transcript from his breast pocket (now with a bullet hole) and announced to the crowd "It takes more than a bullet to kill a Bull Moose". He went on to speak for nearly an hour before being rushed to the hospital. Guy was a true Bad Ass MF!

If you are a fan of Roosevelt or even just of US History, I highly recommend reading "The River of Doubt". http://www.amazon.com/River-Doubt-Theodore-Roosevelts-Darkes...

cgod  ·  4645 days ago  ·  link  ·  
River of doubt is excellent, also the Theodore Rex three volume biography is an surprisingly enjoyable read for it's size.
b_b  ·  4646 days ago  ·  link  ·  
Thanks! Always looking for a new suggestion.
iamfight  ·  4646 days ago  ·  link  ·  
this sounds like a very reasonable position to me. i wonder if any stats are kept relating to crimes stopped vs. accidents/misuse due to concealed hand-guns. im guessing that the latter happens significantly more often.
iamfight  ·  4646 days ago  ·  link  ·  
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