Did you know that most crimes involving guns are of a nature that the weapon used is already illegal? So what would furthering restrictions on guns do? Increasing gun control regulations would only seek to further restrict the law abiding citizen's ability to defend himself. Regulations are already of a nature that the criminal or the person intent on commiting an unlawful act has more rights than that of the accosted. For example, if a person whom is armed breaks into your house, you are not permited to use leathal force until that person actualy draws (aims) the weapon at you. Unless you, the homeowner, are the reencarnation of Billy the Kid, you will not be able to draw your weapon and fire a shot before the burglar, whom already has his weapon pointed at you, proceeds to squeeze his pointer finger.

Do people kill others with guns? Yes, people do use guns to hurt or kill people, but this is only a means of which a person intenting to inflict harm on another achieves his goal. In prison systems, inmates do not have the means to obtain a gun to kill others. However, with a little enginuity they obtain other weapons such as home made knives or "shanks" to acheive the same goal. The United States Navy defines Deadly Force as, "the force a person knows or should know to cause death or serious bodily harm". Never in their definition does one see "gun" mentioned. Society has taken what a gun is out of context. A gun is a weapon, and weapons such as the prisoners "shank" kill people. Society would find the ability to ban devices which could be used to harm others (weapons) impossible. They would have to ban guns, swords, knives, bats, rocks, whips, sling shots, Mike Tysons teeth, Jackie Chan's hands, etc.

The point is, if guns are further regulated then the average citizen will not have a chance of defending themselves. Even if we could keep both criminals and law abiding citizens from obtaining guns the only true means of being completely safe is for everyone to be confined to a straight jacket and reside in a padded room.

- Ian

I don't really know where I stand on this one because you could easily make the argument both ways. I mean who's to say what would happen if guns were outlawed. People are still going to find way to get a hold of them. But then you could say make it legal for everyone to have one. In order for that to happen everyone would need to want a gun and that might not be the case. You could make the argument that if everyone owns a firearm the world would be much safer because an unarmed person makes an easy target for a criminal. Although that criminal doesn't need a gun to attack an unarmed person they could use a knife or anything. Maybe if criminals knew everyone were protected they would be a little more hesitant about attacking civilians. If you don't have any means of protecting yourself you would be at the criminals mercy. Even if you were protected with any type of concealed weapon there is no way of knowing when an unsuspecting criminal while try something. If they sneak up behind you and stick you up they'll probably make sure you drop of any means you have of protecting yourself and you most certainly won't have time to draw your gun if you are already being held up. Even so there is still no evidence that firearms increase crimes and violence.

- Dontae

In class on Tuesday we covered the pro's of having the availability of guns being issued. As a class we came up with all these rules and regulations that would benefit and protect the whole community, but little did we think of all the negatives/cons. I think it was Drew that said that the only thing worse than a criminal with a gun is an inexperience citizen with a gun,how wrong you are my friend. I pose the question to you once again, What's worse than a criminal with a gun, besides your regular everyday citizens? I'll tell you, something that's worse than a criminal is a TRAINED criminal!!! Let's be honest, half of the guys out there trying to knock over a liquor store are inexperience in the art of weaponry. If we train and educate people as if its just a driving license, there could be hell to pay. In PERFECT EARTH, everyone gets along and everyone wants to earn a honest living.. But in REALITY if we put guns into trained hands of the modern day thugs, then gang warfare could escalate to a whole new level.

I don't want to seem one sided, I understand the positives of more people feeling safer in knowing that they can protect themselves. But is that sense of safety worth the lives that will be lost and the crimes that will inevitably take place. I'm not saying that everyone who will have a gun will automatically be violent or break the law, but certain people are already going to break the law, and a possible bad situation could escalate to a worse situation if that potential criminal is trained.

- Josh

Josh makes a GREAT point. If people have to go throught a training before someone recieves a firearm then life could turn out to be much worse than it is now. These trained criminals will be able to aim better and they will know better ways in which to kill someone. Also they will come to realize how to plan out an attack much better and learn how to cover their tracks. Now-a-days criminals are stupid and leave many clues behind so that we may be able to catch them.

Sara Jane

4 Guns

Incredible "trialogue," lots of proleptic turns, great job.

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