2nd amendment, right to bear arms. thoughts?

Be sure to vote, I am curious where most atheists stand on this issue.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Matt Coulthurst on February 2, 2012 at 3:40pm

Am I correct in assuming that you wish to have these handguns for self-defence in your home?

If so, while I respect your right to feel safe - especially in one's own home - you'd probably be poorly served by a gun in most home invasion scenarios. One of your kitchen knives would, in all likelihood, be a better choice.

Point: How does one tell the difference - at the gun shop - between a law-abiding citizen and a criminal?

Point: What obligations do the police have, if not to protect the citizenry?

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Permalink Reply by Matt Coulthurst on February 2, 2012 at 3:51pm

That is kind of the point I am making.

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Permalink Reply by Sophie on February 2, 2012 at 4:08pm

Matt, this is all I can really say in response:

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Permalink Reply by Richard E. Robertson on May 1, 2013 at 5:35pm

I have a friend (an actor) who worked with him recently (Cowboys & Aliens). Does that count? :p

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Permalink Reply by Matt Coulthurst on February 2, 2012 at 5:27pm

Because a market place on a movie set is EXACTLY the same as your kitchen. :P

Yes, I get it - and I also think many guns are a fantastic melding of both form and function. Don't get me wrong - I like guns. They're sexy, loud and are a blast to shoot (no pun intended). I'm also in favour of responsible gun ownership.

However - when you are in a violent confrontation with someone within the confines of a house, blood pounding in your ears, adrenaline making your hands shake, plus the quite real possibility that it will be at night and thus poorly lit, a "fuck-off-big shiny" knife is a better force multiplier than a handgun. Years of training and practice can offset these factors, though, if you were willing to put in the time.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Sarbeck on April 27, 2013 at 4:37am

Matt, does "blood pounding in your ears, adrenaline making your hands shake" describe you?

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Permalink Reply by Ed on February 2, 2012 at 9:00pm

"you'd probably be poorly served by a gun in most home invasion scenarios. One of your kitchen knives would, in all likelihood, be a better choice."

I am not a fan of bringing a knife to a gun fight. Or even suggesting a female should engage a male intruder in hand to hand combat. A firearm allows you to maintain your "comfort zone."

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Permalink Reply by Unseen on February 2, 2012 at 10:03pm

I always wonder about people who feel they need a gun to protect life and limb, in case of a home invasion, for example. If that is the real reason they need a gun, do they also have a home defibrillator? I ask because someone having a heart attack in the home is a far more likely event than a home invasion.

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Permalink Reply by Gabeline Stavis on February 10, 2012 at 8:47am

Wouldn't that depend on your location and health? Where I live, and with my good health, I'm much more likely to experience a home invasion. If I had a heart condition I might invest in a home defibrilator, just as I would have an EpiPen on hand if I had severe allergies.

No, one can not plan for every scenario, but using the whole country (or world) to come up with odds doesn't work either.

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Permalink Reply by Unseen on February 10, 2012 at 9:21am

Why do you assume a defribrillator would only be useful based on your own health? You might have a guest or visitor who has a heart attack. One has a first aid kit primarily for oneself, I suppose, but also to handle any situations that happen in or near the home whether or not they benefit just oneself.

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Permalink Reply by Gabeline Stavis on February 10, 2012 at 3:30pm

I haven't assumed anything. I'm speaking of my entire family. Any one of us is more likely to be intruded upon (where we live) than have a heart attack. And if anyone comes to my house they can bring their own defibrilator if they have a heart condition. :)

Like i said, we can't plan for everything, but if I move to Florida I'm not going to say I don't need hurricaine insurance because the people in Canada aren't likely to get hit by one.