Thread: Whats your opinion on automatic weapons?

I think I speak for many people in that I have never thought of purchasing a gun, am not fascinated by them, was never in the military or law enforcement, don't know how to use one, don't hunt, or have seen a picture with the explanation "this is an automatic weapon." In an emergency I might hurt myself or some innocent person, but on the other hand I might save myself.

This is probably why the subject goes back and forth without going anywhere. You have law enforcement people on one side trying to protect both us and each other, and you have gun enthusiasts on the other side who are knowledgeable and pose no threat. The rest of us are in the middle, not really knowing who is more right. Occasionally people who usually don't have firearms are touched personally by a tragic incident and develop an opinion based on that experience.

The question is, what should the average person with no particular interest in firearms need? If you need a firearm, I'd also say you need some experience using it.