Main > Everything Else
It has beGUN.
1UP:
You forget, this is also the country where someone can be prowling on your roof with intent to burgle, rape, or kill, trip and fall thru a plate glass skylight, impaling themselves on some pointy sculpture on your mantle, then sue YOU for negligence. The law seems to do more to protect criminals in places where they shouldn't be, than it protects you in your own home.
I don't know how many times the cops have been lambasted for shooting someone 14 times after they came forward pointing something at the cops. Sometimes it's a gun or knife, sometimes a wallet or cell phone. But you know what? When you are surrounded by 20 bored street cops, a K9 unit, a swat team and a helicopter, DONT RUN AND DONT F-ING POINT ANYTHING AT THEM!!
Apollo, don't worry. The only people here who go around shooting indiscriminately are the gangs, and they don't get their guns legally in the first place. Even then, if you stay out of the wrong neighborhoods (trust me, you will know) you have very little chance of getting involved in any violence.
Most deaths from shootings are from dumbasses who don't know how to store their weapons safely away from the hands of their own children. I definitely think we need to require a certification in gun safety and marksmanship in order to qualify for a license to carry, even at home.
People who carry guns with them in public are just asking for trouble. Unless you're quick-draw McGraw, the weapon will likely be used against you. If you get mugged or car jacked, the best defense is always to throw away your wallet or keys, then run and scream your head off. But I think you should have the choice of keeping a gun in your own home for self defense. There is absolutely no reason for anyone to intrude and threaten you in your own domain, and if they do, they should understand the risk they are taking.
I personally think you should be able to shoot someone DEAD if you are reasonably sure they don't belong in YOUR HOME at 3am, and they refuse to leave immediately. In most locales, if the assailant is moving toward you when you fire, rather than away from you, you're covered. Of course, you should "try" to shoot to disable them, but in the heat of the situation, I don't think the courts should fault you for missing your mark. ;)
And I didn't even vote for Bush...I'm just sick and tired of having the hands of the cops and the general public tied, while the criminals are allowed to do whatever they want, knowing that there are a million loopholes that will protect them or shorten their sentence. Hey, I've got a loophole: you don't invade the sanctity of my crib, and I absolutely promise not to blow your head off, and we're both happy. The choice is yours, but don't put me in a position where I have basically no choice but to shoot.
teef two:
No no no, I'm not getting drawn into yet another gun debate on a bb.
[sarcasm]I'm happy to live in a country where the criminals have the right to prosecute the homeowner if they are attacked when (oh I can't resist a Bushism here) burglarising your property.[/sarcasm off]
patrickl:
Is it legal to leave a loaded handgun laying around the house so your kid can shoot himself (or his friend) with it?
DYNAGOD:
--- Quote ---Is it legal to leave a loaded handgun laying around the house so your kid can shoot himself (or his friend) with it?
--- End quote ---
in my state (MA), all guns in the home must be stored in a locked container or equipped with a tamper resistant mechanical lock or other safety device, properly engaged so as to render the gun inoperable by the owner or other lawfully authorized user.
The penalty for each violation of this law can be severe: up to $10,000 in fines and ten years imprisonment in state prison, and revocation of your LTC or FID.
Dartful Dodger:
--- Quote from: patrickl on November 18, 2004, 04:47:32 am ---Is it legal to leave a loaded handgun laying around the house so your kid can shoot himself (or his friend) with it?
--- End quote ---
Is it legal to leave a knife or scissors laying around the house so your kid can stab himself (or his friend) with it?
Is it legal to leave car keys laying around the house so your kid can runover himself (or his friend) with it?
Negligent people should not have the right to raise kids, but they do.
This topic is about gun laws changing for the better, not about neglectful parents.