Thread: Firearms: The Common Person & the Criminal

Originally Posted by RareBreed

the physically weak are vulnerable to the physically strong.

It's strength of mind that counts.
In the end the physically strong will always be outwitted by those with the most between their ears.

It's strength of mind that counts.
In the end the physically strong will always be outwitted by those with the most between their ears.

I would love to believe this, but I don't believe this is necessarily true.

For instance:

Grizzly Bears are not as "smart" as human beings. However, if you find that you come across a startled Grizzly Bear in the wild, the only thing your superior brain is going to be good for is realizing that it is all over.

This kind of logic easily applies to human-human interactions. Ask any "nerd" that has had an abusive bully.

One must not discount circumstance, situation, and luck. The best a "smart" person can do is understand the above and apply that understanding to yield the best possible result for any situation. Unfortunately, sometimes the "best" possible result for a situation is loss or at the worst death.

As far as the topic of this thread is concerned, I usually support second amendment rights to a certain extent. This is a touchy issue for sure, with great points made throughout the spectrum of opinions (and experiences).

On another note, imagine if the government outlawed straight razors for being too dangerous for personal use?

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

The first day on the job our director addressed us right after swearing in and to this day I remember what he said about handguns. He said too many people strap on a gun and it makes them walk ten feet tall.

I've always thought when you sit down and run through all the scenarios in which you might have use for a handgun most of them put the carrier at a distinct disadvantage to the perp. Couple that with panic and trying to shoot at someone shooting back at you and a moving target, most out there including trained LEO are simply not prepared for that. Too often the gun itself can escalate a robbery into something much more. Too many think a handgun is the solution when it in fact can be just the opposite.

Just a thought.

That's my take on the situation as well. You put it across far better than I could.

Originally Posted by altshaver

Grizzly Bears are not as "smart" as human beings. However, if you find that you come across a startled Grizzly Bear in the wild, the only thing your superior brain is going to be good for is realizing that it is all over.

My brother-in-law has worked for 40+ years as a transmission line surveyor for BC Hydro in Canada. Surveying deep in the bush has meant a few man/bear encounters over the years, including the Grizzly. Luckily for him, none of them could have been startled. He is still with us and still surveying (retiring soon, bears permitting).

Originally Posted by altshaver

On another note, imagine if the government outlawed straight razors for being too dangerous for personal use?

I don't see the gov doing that but if you like salt in your food buy all you can. That is next on their list.

It's strength of mind that counts.
In the end the physically strong will always be outwitted by those with the most between their ears.

True to some degree -

But I used the cut and dry statement I did because it really boils down to the physically strong having control over the physically weak & handicapped.
Who do think will wield knives & blunt objects better, I think a stronger person has the upper hand on that.

Do you think a little old grandma could fend off an average sized assailant?

How about someone who is paralyzed or physically bound to a wheelchair?

These people seem like easy targets huh? And guess what that’s what crooks prey on, the weak and defenseless people.

"A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government."
- George Washington


I'll leave it at that, as it has been said you could write volumes on this topic.
Thank you all for your opinions and hearing mine.

Thank God I am an American.

Born into the house of a WWII vet, I was taught about guns at an early age. I was also taught about love, honor, family loyalty respect for others as well as myself.
There were always loaded pistols in the house.

Hunting and fishing taught me a respect for all animals, and to only take what you needed.

Some of my most memerable times with my father were during some of these outings.
I owned my first pistol at 13, at 16 I had a Rugar 44mag.
Dad and I went shooting every weekend for years. At the time I could reload 44's for 1 1/2 cents a round after casting the projectiles.

Now at 53 I am eaten up with degenerative disc disease.
We live in a very nice house on a lonely road with a better homes and garden style front yard.
Yes we have worked very hard and spent our money wisely.
It sure makes me feel better knowing that if six hoods come up my driveway to break in or try the one guy knocks on the door then when you answer 5 more charge in trick.
I am up to the task of protecting my family and myself from being a victom.

Yes I know the there are a lot of deaths from firearms. But face it mankind has always reached for the best technology available for protection as well as the destruction of others.

Silver2

And here I sit, living testament to many sides of this story.

My father owned a shooting gallery in Coney Island for many years. Those sturdy little .22 short gallery guns qualify as "assault weapons" under the definitions of the Brady bill gun ban.
To ban that most terrifying of weapons, the awe inspiring "rimfire" yea, that was making fine use of our government resourses.

Its interesting that in places where gun bans exist, violent crimes NOT using a gun have increased. Really, is it so much better to be raped at knife point or beaten with a club, then it is to have guns used instead?

I remember the interview with one of the british soccer mob leaders, when asked if they would be brawls if the cup was held in the states, saying "not likely, crazy yanks carry too many guns"
Many people seem to consider it manly to engage in beating people up.


I myself, back in my inglorious youth, ran with a rather dark circle of friends.
And I had absolutely no trouble at all procuring a semi auto handgun, which I carried with me all through the streets of the location with the most strict gun laws, and most difficult to obtain a permit, NYC.

Being 5'5 and a whopping 130lbs, I have been a target of abuse my whole life. So on the night I was assaulted by 5 idiots, you know what I did?

Thats right... NOTHING! because I KNEW I was just going to get punched around, and that pulling a weapon would just make things worse.
I was taught proper use, and respect for what guns can do, and what they cant, and what my own abilities are.
Not only was there no need for me to draw (they were just bullies picking a fight) but there was no way I would have been able to be certain of taking them all down, and certainly, not a single one of them was worth going to prison for.

Education, I believe is key.
These days, I want to be legal, and within the law, but should it be necessary, I want to be able to defend my family from the kinds of people I used to hang around. Being much older, and more fragile, I dont think I am even willing to be punched around any more.
Yea, education, and better enforcement of existing laws.
That, and people need to learn to be nicer to each other....

"Hey you Kids!" "GET OFF MY LAWN!!"

Crime exists everywhere except maybe some really little isolated out of the way hamlet somewhere no one ever heard about however criminals aren't a bright bunch for the most part. They use what they need to get the job done. If no one has guns they don't need them too. They'll use a baseball bat or club. If people have knives they'll get bigger ones and if people have guns well they'll get bigger ones too. That's just the way it is.

If you ever need to use a weapon and are successful remember those two old corny sayings. 1-Dead men tell no tales and 2-better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.( Interpretation not supplied.)