Originally Posted by criticalprocess

This is mainly for the gun supporters.

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...)

Originally Posted by mytmouse57

hk,

Much of what you say is true. But if differs from area to area. In my part of the world, guns still very much ARE a a basic tool. We use them to hunt for food. And some people, such as range riders who work alone in remote areas, really do need them for protection against such beasts as grizzly bears.

And carefull with the "designed to kill" argument. A firearm is desinged to launch a projectile at a high velocity and relative accuracy into a target.
Saying all guns are designed for combat (to kill people) is like saying there's no difference between a broadsword and a steak knife. Yes, you CAN kill somebody with a steak knife.. just like you CAN kill somebody with a hunting rifle.
But a hunting rifle ain't a selective-fire infrantry weapon. There IS a difference.

Design has nothing to do with it. It's the intent of the person behind the weapon.

And yes, we have a proffessional police force. And yes, that's really nice. But even the best police force in the world has a response time. And in many cases (such as a 95-pound woman being attacked by a 350-pound would be rapist/murderer) it's all gonna be over long before the police get there.
I'd rather that 95-pound woman at least have the choice to be packing a .357 -- provided she has the proper training.

Originally Posted by nuttyjoe

Again, I will agree. I like your addition at the end of the proper training. That has always been one of my caveats of any firearm legislation.

Originally Posted by mytmouse57

Yes, and all cars, wristwatches, and bongs criminals have were probably purchased legally at one point too.

So?

Originally Posted by knot_e_lady

Gee, I didn't realize that cars were used for no other purpose then killing someone.

Originally Posted by mytmouse57

ONLY CERTIAN GUNS ARE DESIGNED SOLEY FOR COMBAT (killing people) TO SAY ALL GUNS ARE DESIGNED ONLY FOR KILLING PEOPLE IS JUST AS IGNORANT AS SAYING THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A STEAK KNIFE AND A BROADSWORD.

Originally Posted by mytmouse57

Anyway, for me the point has never been, "crooks have guns, so we need 'em too."

The point for me is that guns in the right hands eliminate the "easy victim" factor that can encourage violent crime.

Look, again, if a 350 pound man wants to attack a 90 pound woman, he doesn't NEED a gun. But if SHE has one... or if the seed is planted in his mind there's a good chance she has one... well then, all of the sudden the prospect of attacking her becomes a little less juicy.

Likewise, three or four strong, young men don't NEED guns for a home invasion against a middle-aged accountant and his family. But if the family has one.. again, it make the prospect of them far less enticing.

Once again, I point to the atmosphere here where I live. We have, I'll bet, just as many people per capita who are the type who would think about trying to pull off, say, a car jacking.

But in Wyoming, you would be, to put it bluntly, fucking insane to try a car jacking, because odds are pretty good you would get your fucking head blown off -- because virtually EVERYBODY has guns and knows how to use them out here.

Again, whether the crooks have guns is irrelevant. Because they are usually the type of person to seek a victim WEAKER than they are.

Originally Posted by knot_e_lady

So, what uses were handguns designed for besides killing people? And I specifically state 'handguns' because that's what the majority of criminals use.