An outsiders questions on US gun control.

originally posted by: nonspecific
Good god where do you live?

My location is in my mini-profile.

Is it really that dangerous there? I thought it was not too bad in a lot of the US?

A young man was murdered two blocks from my home last year and my neighbor's house was burglarized in broad daylight. While I live in what is considered an affluent town and neighborhood this does not mean dirtbags are precluded from showing up here.

a reply to: JIMC5499

Yes, your situation is an example of exactly what I think the positive side of guns are. People seem to have mistaken me as advocating control.

originally posted by: Eilasvaleleyn
a reply to: Pants3204

Then a gun will not help me, because they are already close enough that I would not have time to draw it, let alone aim and fire it. I am quite likely screwed regardless of what I try. However, I would search for an opening while trying to avoid taking critical damage, then jam a pen into their eye socket.

I have a hard time believing you're serious if you think you'd be able to jam a pen in someone's eyesocket but not pull your gun.

a reply to: Pants3204

In the set of parameters I was given, yes, I believe so. A situation where my awareness has failed me and I am incapable of simply running away is a situation where a violent attacker is already within arm's length of me. That is not a time to draw a gun. Whether I would be successful in doing so, I am not sure. It depends on who is attacking and how. It is a last resort.

A gun is large and blocky. A pen is small enough to not be immediately noticed.

As an aside observation, it feels like people seem to believe that your options are limited to:

Pull a gun,
or,
Turn around a bend over.

Is that actually the case?

originally posted by: Eilasvaleleyn
A gun is large and blocky. A pen is small enough to not be immediately noticed.

A handgun only needs to be turned toward the target to be effective while your Bic needs to be inserted into the ocular cavity to complete the self defense maneuver.

a reply to: nonspecific

Violent crime in my area is lower than a majority of first world nations, but that doesn't mean these things dont still happen.

originally posted by: Eilasvaleleyn
a reply to: Pants3204

In the set of parameters I was given, yes, I believe so. A situation where my awareness has failed me and I am incapable of simply running away is a situation where a violent attacker is already within arm's length of me. That is not a time to draw a gun. Whether I would be successful in doing so, I am not sure. It depends on who is attacking and how. It is a last resort.

A gun is large and blocky. A pen is small enough to not be immediately noticed.

That's a generalization of handguns, and maybe you should purchase a firearm more suited to that scenario if you think its a real problem. There are plenty of very concealable, small handguns that are more than capable of defending your person.

If you can reach in your pocket and grab a pen, surely you can reach in your pocket/holster and point your gun.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

originally posted by: nonspecific
Good god where do you live?

My location is in my mini-profile.

Is it really that dangerous there? I thought it was not too bad in a lot of the US?

A young man was murdered two blocks from my home last year and my neighbor's house was burglarized in broad daylight. While I live in what is considered an affluent town and neighborhood this doe snot mean dirtbags are precluded from showing up here.

I apologise if my comments seemed derogatory.

I simply do not live in a world like that and it worries me deeply.

My questions about guns and the reasoning were heartfelt if misguided.

I am at a loss as to what to say now as I have lived in some pretty rough places in the UK but have never understood the need to be armed.

I will readjust my thinking but cannot help but feel a great deal of sadness for you and others and this is not a derogatory comment.

originally posted by: Eilasvaleleyn
As an aside observation, it feels like people seem to believe that your options are limited to:

Pull a gun,
or,
Turn around a bend over.

Is that actually the case?

No, it isn't the case, but I don't want to get slashed up in a knife fight or even worse be left with only my fists. Not even the greatest of hand to hand fighters stands much of a chance against a knife. Guns provide the highest absolute advantage in a violent encounter, which is what you want when your life is potentially on the line.

originally posted by: Pants3204
a reply to: nonspecific

Violent crime in my area is lower than a majority of first world nations, but that doesn't mean these things dont still happen.

See my above comments to Agustusmasonicus sir.

Just wow.

I really do not understand the world as it really somehow is.

a reply to: nonspecific

Well get used to it because violent crime in England is on its way up.

www.telegraph.co.uk...

People say #, them criminals got guns, why not me!? (Not against guns here, I love my guns!) But check this out, I know sooooooooooo many dumb #ers from school that have been busted for shooting at people, you know typical #, and they get busted and are in the next 3 months and guess what they doing again? Exactly, shooting shooting shooting... What blows my mind is that they get it from family members, friends, girlfriends, etc. whom can buy guns legally, so yeah.. Just leaving that there..

a reply to: IsIt5Yet

Those people are known as criminals, the kind of people who aren't affected by gun controls.

originally posted by: Pants3204
a reply to: nonspecific

Well get used to it because violent crime in England is on its way up.

www.telegraph.co.uk...

How does that answer my question though?

That is just a news article and that was never the question?

Have another go chap, you might do better next time...

a reply to: Eilasvaleleyn

Never though that for a minute.

a reply to: nonspecific

What question?

My point was that your naivety may soon come to an end due to the fact that England is quickly becoming a more violent nation.

originally posted by: nonspecific
I apologise if my comments seemed derogatory.

No worries, I did not take them that way. I think I know you and the missus well enough that I know you are good people.

Here is the thread about the young man who was murdered. This vile piece of s*** killed him for no reason other then he wanted to kill some people.

originally posted by: Pants3204
a reply to: nonspecific

What question?

My point was that your naivety may soon come to an end due to the fact that England is quickly becoming a more violent nation.

Evidence that is not a MSN tabloid source please?

In anticipation.



The fact that I actually live here and experience this will go in my favour.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

originally posted by: nonspecific
I apologise if my comments seemed derogatory.

No worries, I did not take them that way. I think I know you and the missus well enough that I know you are good people.

Here is the thread about the young man who was murdered. This vile piece of s*** killed him for no reason other then he wanted to kill some people.