I think it gives some people purpose. I got my gun and I'm protecting my family, even if there is no credible threat

@MikeFlora : Ha! I think that is a pretty empty purpose. But you are probably right.

If the average guy does confront a bad guy in his house it is already too late. The bad guy already has the drop on you. An assault weapon is useless.

I don't argue this point, some people live in a higher crime area than others. Does having a firearm really help keep them safe? Or do guns make them a target? Does the average person have what it takes to point a gun at another person and pull the trigger if necessary?

@MikeFlora
It does keep them safe. They're already targets as far as the criminals are concerned.

If the person has the gun, odds are they realise the might have to use it to protect themselves and their families.

It's a basic law of nature.

@Lancer I don't agree, I don't think you can know what you would do in that situation until you're in it and then it's to late. We aren't natural born killers, it has to be learned or forced, and I don't think some people can be forced or hold their nerve long enough to hit what they are shooting at. I think it makes some people feel safe, I don't think it necessarily makes them safe.

@MikeFlora
"We aren't natural born killers?"

Human history disagrees. With the number of wars we've fought, criminals we've had and civilians we've killed as a species. I'd say killing is damn near what makes us human. It's the only thing we have in common with each other in this world. Sure you might not like to accept it but that's the way it is.

@Lancer As a group most definitely, individually not so much.

@MikeFlora
Fair enough. But we all have the potential to be killers. No law will ever be able to stop that.

@Kojaksmom
It's a form of population control and also works well to distract and oppress the working class. The Australian government releases criminals who steal cars, invade homes, etc. if they are below the age of 18 and don't even arrest them when they miss their court hearings. It's a method of ensuring these crimes continue to keep the working class focused on their day to day security rather than paying attention to government decisions and corruption.

They say they can't do anything since the offenders are children but in reality it is a terrorist tactic. Spreading fear and terror throughout the streets of Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. Ironically where a bunch of African and Middle Eastern refugees were "re-settled" but that must just be a coincidence. Jut like the fact that Africans stab 14 year old boys in their face, rob liquor stores during the middle of the day, attack pedestrians out in the city having a few drinks at night. And that's just my city, Melbourne and Sydney are much worse off.

The powerful want to oppress and distract the working class. It's this kind of shit that makes us mad. A father was arrested for accidentally killing a man who broke into his home and was outside his daughters room at 2:00 am. Now if you arrest the law abiding citizens then you're going to get a revolt. Law abiding citizens are now becoming vigilantes, baseball bat and knife sales have increased a lot in the last few years. The police recognize this threat too, they are powerless to stop it because if they actually try to intervene they're called racist, oppressive, bigots, etc.

@Trajan61

@Lancer As the world becomes more overpopulated wars and criminal activity will become more commonplace and the need to protect yourself will become more important. The gun will be the best tool to do so as it allows a weaker person to hold off a stronger one. Here in the US were still allowed to own a gun for self defence. In a lot of other places in the world guns are severely restricted or forbidden so you are at the mercy of the mentually Disturbed and criminals. I live in the country myself and I’m tired of criminals stealing my property and I intend on trying to stop it. The police very seldom show up to stop a crime. They just show up afterwards to try to solve it and prevent more crimes. Hell most of the time on stolen property they don’t even make much of an attempt to solve it as they are to busy with more serious crimes.

@Trajan61
You're right. As they say, when seconds count the police are minutes away. I appreciate the police and understand that they're generally overworked or underfunded in some police departments. Couple that with a few bad corrupt cops and the situation doesn't look like it'll be getting any better any time soon. Especially with the criminals getting more confident in their crimes.

Which ones are the good guys, and which ones are the bad guys?

@MikeFlora sarcasm