Firestart wrote:

Owning a gun for protection is making two statements:
1) I am afraid of criminals
2) I don't believe our society is based on laws
1) is simply not true. When I drive a car, I wear a safety belt. When I ride a bicycle, I wear a helmet. When I leave my house, I lock the door. Do I do these things because I am afraid of a car wreck, or of falling off my bike, or of a burglar entering my home? No, these are simple precautions, taken out of common sense, and not motivated by fear. Owning a defensive firearm makes me no more afraid of criminals than owning a security system or dog.

2) is equally untrue. There are laws governing the ownership and use of firearms, and it is the duty of every gun owner to be well-versed in those laws. There are legal conditions that must be met before lethal force may be employed in self defense, and the gun owner who does not learn these may indeed find himself in jail.

You advocate the banning of firearms, citing potential for harmful misuse and the fact that you feel safer without them around. Which position is derived from fear?