Originally Posted by tore (Post 1079348)

I'm convinced that when society endorses or even encourages the acquisition and use of guns for anything but hunting animals, that will generally speaking promote violence. Weapons made to scare, defend against or even kill people become a part of society and people's lives more so than they would otherwise, even to the people who don't own them, for example because they feel they might run into someone else who does. It changes the way people interact and think about eachother and even if that change in one individual is very slight, when it affects everyone, it can have a measurable effect.

Originally Posted by RezZ (Post 1079593)

What about keeping the power to overthrow a corrupt government?

Originally Posted by RezZ (Post 1079593)

What about keeping the power to overthrow a corrupt government?

Originally Posted by Janszoon (Post 1079631)

I don't think hunting rifles and handguns would really do the job in that situation.

Originally Posted by RezZ (Post 1079593)

What about keeping the power to overthrow a corrupt government?

Originally Posted by The Batlord (Post 1079888)

This is the only reason that still gives me pause. I don't know that I can get behind it though. Like Janszoon said, what good are hand guns and hunting rifles gonna be against an Abrams tank with Predator air cover and artillery support. Sure, we could start a guerilla war, but we'd need actual military grade weapons and home made explosives to be able to do even the slightest amount of damage.

Originally Posted by crash_override (Post 1081761)

You REALLY think that everyone in the military would side with the Government in that situation. There would be rogue factions all over the place commiting mutiny and jacking high grade equipment. Basically the same as every revlolution in history.

If your cause is pure enough, and your enemy is hated enough, revolution will succeed. So long as we have guns to protect our homes from being overrun by martial law.

Originally Posted by tore (Post 1082525)

You want to keep guns in society in case you need them for a bloody revolt against your government? You've got a democracy .. Can't you just wait until the next presidential period? ;)

In all seriousness .. That sounds pretty crazy to me and a poor justification for endorsing guns in society.

Originally Posted by tore (Post 1082525)

In all seriousness .. That sounds pretty crazy to me and a poor justification for endorsing guns in society.