Far be it from me to cause any controversy as a complete newbie but I felt I had to say something regarding the state of affairs here in the gun control forum.

As you see this is my first post and making it the Gun Control forum pretty much will tell you what my first and foremost priority is with regards to political matters.I am unashamedly a single issue voter.

I am quite surprised at the lack of knowledge of more than a few people who are obviously anti gun and also at a few who say they are pro gun.I have read through most of the gun control forum and have heard a Semi Automatic Firearm described as a Full Auto.I have heard varying different opinions as to the law and its various different interpretations that are completely false.I have heard some of the most hideous bunk regarding .50 caliber weapons I have ever heard in my life.

One of the biggest points that seems to be raised on this particular forum is as follows.

The question of the Militia arguement. This was by far the only arguement that the anti gun crowd could come up with to try and usurp the second amendment and has been going on since the sixties.Its an age old and well worn out argument that even the most prolific of Anti Gun Organisations no longer even use as it is such a poor argument with no merit and certainly not based even in reality or fact.

Anyone who even uses this approach is so out of touch with recent events by the Brady Bunch aka Handgun Control inc etc. that for them to use this material I would question their commitment to the Anti Gun cause.

One of the worst things I have heard on this forum is the term 'illegal gun'.

Can anyone please explain to me what this term means? I am at a total loss trying to figure it out.

I am the first person to stand up for anyones right to free speech even if that conflicts with my own opinion.However I do hold the belief that if one engages in a public debate one should at least have their facts correct before doing so.

Look forward to all and any comments.

"This is mainly for the gun supporters."

I are one. Firearms owner/collector and hunter.

"1. In the interest of keeping our country safer, do you think that there should be any limits placed on guns? (magazine capacity, rounds per second, automatic handguns, round size, etc...)"

There already are such limits. Lacking extremly hard-to-get special licenses, private citizens may not own fully-automatic or selective-fire weapons of any kind. Including machine guns, sub-machine guns and true assault rifles. (What are called "assault rifles" in the popular media usually are actually not. Hint a Ruger mini-14 is NOT an assault rifle simply because it has an after-market, high-capacity magazine on it.)

In the days of Bonnie and Clyde, it was actually fairly easy for citzens to get such weapons as Thompson sub-machine guns and Browning Automatic Rifles. Not anymore. So therefore, it's a mis-statment to say something like people can buy "more powerful weapons than ever before."

"2. Also, why is it that the people yelling loudest about national security, who are willing to sign away our rights in the interest of public safety, are the ones most staunchly opposed to restricting guns? Gun violence in America kills more Americans every year than all terrorist attacks totaled. Why are we willing to go to such great lengths for safety from others, but not for safety from within?"

I think you've been called on this already. Yes, many of the gun/hunter crowd are very conservative.. but even the most conservative of my friends don't really support the Patriot Act or the current approach to the "War on Terror." One of my MOST conservative friends, himself an Army veteran said, just the other day, "It's time for us to get the Hell out of Iraq."

And I for one am vehmently opposed to ANY restrictions on privacy, freedom of speech/expression and so forth. Especially when somebody is trying to feed me that old B.S. line... "Oh, but it will make you SAFER."

Regardless to who like it or not I will always carry my
sidearm with me where ever I go, and the other piece
I keep it at home for family safety.

I'm not a big gun lover, but I will definitely say this:

Tighter restrictions on firearms are only going to affect the people that obey the law.

The criminals of the country would then be given a bigger advantage over law abiding citizens than they already have.

People who own guns must not understand the path towards peace whatsoever. I would rather be struck down unharmed than own a gun.

You presume much about people.

I own several firearms, and am quite peaceful. And in most circumstances, yes, I would rather be struck down than harm another person.

But weakness can also encourage violence sometimes. Complete and uncompromising pacifism is one of evil's greaties allies, IMO.

(The "peace in our time" deal with Hitler, anybody?)

Home invasions and forceful carjackings are all but unheard of where I live.
It's an area where gun ownership is simply accepted as a fact of life for most people.

I do not think that's mere coincidence.

Ever heard of Ghandi?? Apprently not

I think it is because you live in freaking Wyoming.... where carjackings and home invasions don't happen much. You guys probably off and hurt each other with the weapons more than you do criminals.

Hev,
I presume you meant that you would rather be struck down Unarmed rather than own a gun.Thats all well and good and if you are willing to go so far as to let someone harm/murder/maime you for standing up for what you believe in then indeed to me that is very commendable.

Whilst I consider myself to be a peaceful person I have to live in reality.
That reality is that there are people out there who because of their own selfishness and greed and laziness are ready and willing to visit violence upon myself and family to get whatever they want.

I have heard some say that a gun owner has no right to be judge jury and executioner.When someone is breaking into my home or trying to carjack me or is so hopped up on meth they are totally out of control I can only say one thing.

I do have that right to be judge jury and executioner. Why should I as a law abiding allow some whacked out drug crazed moron put my family or myself at risk? They have no right to do so whilst I have every right to respond with force to stop them.

One of the first things any decent CCW class will tell you is not to reach for your weapon immediatley.Evaluate the threat try and retreat try not to elevate the situation in any way.If after these and other things do not work or are not happening then and only then should you draw your weapon.

The only time a weapon should be drawn is if you are in immediate fear of your life or the life/lives of those you are protecting.

Is my life the life of my child and wife worth more than a criminal who wishes to harm us? Yes without a doubt.

My carry piece is not the primary weapon I carry.My primary weapon is my brain and sense of good judgement.

To deny anyone the right to defend themselves their family or property is nothing more than criminal insanity itself.

Will there ever be peace such as you desire in any of your posts? I do not think so.It would be nice but there will always be those out there that do not wish it because they are not willing to work for it.

Very well said FL.

Ghandi's way works well in some situations. Not so well in others. I sincerly doubt it would have done much to stop the likes of Hitler.

Yes, carjackings and home invasions in freakin' Wyoming don't happen much FOR A REASON. Trust me, we have our share of meth-heads and other criminals out here, and they steal whatever/whenever they get the chance. But the unwritten rule saying: "Bust into somebody's house when their home or try to take their car when they're in it... then expect to become well-aquainted with Mr. 12-guage" probably prevents much of a certian type of stealing.

Weakness and helplessness tends to feed some people's baser, predatory instincts. For everybody's sake, including there's, I see no reason or sanity in creating a situation that encourages them to indulge in those instincts.

And considering the number of guns vs. the number of people here, accidental shootings and gun killings are relativley low. Most people here respect firearms and are properly trained in how to handle them.