Gun Ownership

The recent tragedy in Aurora has got me very strongly considering purchasing a gun. I have never owned one, and I have generally been against gun ownership. I do believe that it changes the way a person thinks when he/she carries one. On the other hand had I been in that theater at the time I would have wanted one. As much as I hate violence I would have tried to shoot the guy to protect myself and the others.

ABC ran a story on the frequency of mass killings in America. The frequency is going up. Since the Virgina Tech shootings in 2007 there have been 52 incidents where 3 or more people have been killed. A total of 221 people have been killed. One man actually opened fire in a Pittsburgh gym because he couldn't get a date. No joke. Basically, our society is becoming more violent every year.

abcnews.go.com/WNT/video?id=9020231

At this point I'm still on the fence, but the more I think about it the closer I move towards purchasing a gun. I realize that some here will be strongly against it and that's fine. If you could share your views and give me a reason not to start carrying one I'd appreciate it. My heart tells me to be completely non-violent ah la Gandhi, my head tells me that our society has degenerated to a point where it may be stupid not to carry one. This is kind of my last ditch effort to resist the temptation. Any opinions are welcome.

Yes, I also sometimes feel like defending yourself and others is necessarily at times. But what I did, was buy a little key chain pepper spray bottle, you can use it if you are going to be mugged, if you are in a place that is being robbed, etc. The stream shoots about 20 ft, and it is extremely painful and uncomfortable, and you will never be charged with any kind of attempted murder or anything like that.

It also costs much less, and there is no chance of having an accidental shooting and having a horrible situation like that.

In my opinion it is also an easier alternative to carrying a gun around everywhere. I just put it on my keys, and forget about it, then if you ever need it, it's there.

Thanks for the tip. I didn't know pepper spray came on a key chain. I'm not sure how much good it would have done in that movie theater. The shooter was wearing body armor and a face shield. I do believe that carrying a gun changes the way a person thinks. This is not a decision I take lightly. Drawing a gun in public also increases the chances of getting shot, and it's pretty much a guarantee that the police will be called and an investigation done.

There's a lot to think about. My heart tells me that I should be completely non-violent like Gandhi. My head tells me that society has degenerated to a point where I should carry a gun to be able to shoot the next mass killer. I'm really not sure if carrying a gun will bring me peace or rob me of it. The more I think about it the closer I get to purchasing one. I just haven't quite wrapped my head around it yet.

Guns don't kill people. People kill people.

A gun sitting on a table in an empty room is a harmless object.

A gun in the hand of a human is a lethal weapon that can cause devastation.

Stay aware and you will find that you can lead yourself along a path that will not see you experience a situation where your life is endangered by a human with a weapon.

As I said....there is nothing wrong with guns. The problem exists in the mind of the person holding the gun.

At least seven people, including a gunman shot by a police officer, have been killed in an attack on worshipers at a Sikh temple in the Milwaukee suburb of Oak Creek, Wisconsin, on Sunday, police said.

DamauriDreved, if you don't mind me asking do you carry a gun?