Hi Tread,

KittyKaiti and AngryPostman answered your questions better than I could have. In the United States we have ten amendments to our Constitution known as the “Bill of Rights” that guarantees certain freedoms. It is fundamental to our system of governance--indeed our very “way of life.” The first right is the “freedom of speech” that is so well known. The second is the right “to keep and bear arms.” Our country was founded on the principles of individual rights and the right to be free from tyranny. What is commonly known as the “revolutionary war” was actually a war for independence. One of the ways of insuring our independence and freedom was to support an armed populace. We take this right quite seriously.

When I joined this forum, the last thing on my mind was guns! However, I started this thread in response to the beating of one of our members. Yes, there are sometimes people out there that want to hurt others--even kill. I grew up in one of our most dangerous cities--Detroit. Check it out on the Internet if you like. We lived in a “good” neighborhood by comparison but there were still burglaries, robberies, assaults, rapes, and murders. Yes, there is a police department but the reality is they arrive “after the fact” and typically don’t provide a deterrent for hardened criminals. In the end, you really must be prepared to defend yourself.

Alternatives to guns include Karate or Judo, chemical sprays, “tasers,” or knives. Not all of these are legal in all 50 states and if you are small or outnumbered, aren’t going to do much good anyway. Many of our members are also the target of “hate crimes.” Often these involve some kind of physical assault usually by more than one attacker. There are well documented cases of gay, lesbian, or transgendered individuals who have been beaten or even killed by their assailants.

My original post recommended learning to shoot and carry a gun for self defense. You can read my “profile” for more about me if you like. Currently I live in Indianapolis which is relatively “safer” than Detroit. However there was an incident a few years ago in one of our downtown parking garages where I am absolutely certain that the fact I was “carrying” saved my wife and myself.

Hope this helps you to understand a little more about the reasons for owning a gun. BTW what country are you from? Also I like your avatar!

Andrew