Just Curious. Really - USA Gun Ownership

[Duncan Edwards]

I appreciate that your guns will have to be taken from your cold dead hand. I merely fear that your hand might become cold and dead sooner than you might wish.

I suppose in the broadest sense that is statistically possible. The reality is that the closest I've ever come to harm from a gun is with a high school hunting club many years ago. I don't carry a gun for the purpose of going armed and hope I never have to. In fact when my daughter was born eleven years ago I did like other family members and sent all the handguns over to my father's house. My home defense is built around a large, aggressive looking, dog and that has served very well. Dog is always on duty and has a visible deterrence factor that I can't get with a gun. The only time I will ever point a gun at anyone is when I have made the decision that they have to die. Not to frighten or intimidate but as my grandfather taught me - You never point a gun empty or loaded at anyone or anything you don't want dead. And if you have made that decision then go ahead and pull the trigger before something worse happens. For that I have a shotgun with an ammo sling and it even sports a bayonet. I don't keep it loaded but I always treat it as if it is. I can trace my family back at least six generations on both sides and even though they were likely all gun owners there is no record of gun violence among them. My great-great uncle was even sheriff of a local town during the First World War and we still have his pistol. He never drew it for anything but target practice.

Most of that body count from guns comes from alcohol, accidents from careless gun owners who weren't taught by their grandfathers, suicides, etc. Criminal activity actually accounts for a very small percentage and that is more likely to be one bad guy preying on another. The likelihood of my actually encountering an armed bad guy and being in a position to resist with my own weapon is absurdly small. I'm doubting my cold dead fingers will ever have to be pried from anything but my wife someday.

[tempman]

I don't own guns and I've never had any need to own a gun.

But then again I live in England where it really it sunshine and lollypops.

[Lomax]

My home defense is built around ...

It's the fact that you've even given thought to home defence is what bugs me. OK, sure when I leave my house I make sure the door's locked - but that's to guard against a burglar getting in whilst I'm elsewhere.

That anyone might force entrance when I'm in - that's a contingency I see no reason even to consider. And even if they do, they can have the televison (insured) and the computer (insured - and the data's backed up). Nothing I own is worth a human life.

However. We've had this discussion before, without any Road to Damascus moment.

Finis.

[Duncan Edwards]

My home defense is built around ...

... Nothing I own is worth a human life.

However. We've had this discussion before, without any Road to Damascus moment.

Finis.

Again, I agree with you completely. Referencing what Danger Girl said earlier, its different here. I think you would have to come live with us for a while to understand.

[schlamm]

Sunshine and lollypops eh?

Really now, fancy a stroll through Picadilly circus or a ride on the tube after dark? no?

Ok then, how about going for a pint on foot in the heart of London after a nice meal...
Oh, those pesky gangs might bother you, but I feel so much safer knowing that the nearest Bobby is standing at the ready to give them a stern talking to should they attempt to mug me....

[Mynock]

My home defense is built around ...

That anyone might force entrance when I'm in - that's a contingency I see no reason even to consider. And even if they do, they can have the televison (insured) and the computer (insured - and the data's backed up). Nothing I own is worth a human life.

So you're telling me that this NEVER happens in the UK? Never!?! Shit, maybe I should move across the pond.
What are your chances of having a housefire? Pretty small right? Probably like one in a few thousands.....but I'm sure you have smoke detectors in every room of the house and fire extinguishers in places like the kitchen and furnace area where fires are most likely to break out right?
Stastically speaking, it's highly unlikly you'll ever need to make use of a smoke detector. However, if that one in a million chance does occur, and you don't have it, there's a good chance you're going to end the day dead.
You have absolutely no concept of how fast things can happen and how bad shit can get, and for that, I almost envy you.

[tempman]

Sunshine and lollypops eh?

Really now, fancy a stroll through Picadilly circus or a ride on the tube after dark? no?

Ok then, how about going for a pint on foot in the heart of London after a nice meal...
Oh, those pesky gangs might bother you, but I feel so much safer knowing that the nearest Bobby is standing at the ready to give them a stern talking to should they attempt to mug me....

Yes, actually it is.
I wasn't prepared to give away such private info but nevertheless-
I have lived in 5 locations around the UK. I was brought up in the rural hills of Yorkshire. I went to university in Edinburgh. I then moved to inner city Manchester for a couple of years after graduating, then I got a job in central London. Now I live in Bristol (with a planned move back north soon).

I've been out in those cities at night. I've been drunk in those cities, I've jogged and cycled through those cities. I've never once been mugged, attacked, burgled or had any vehicular damage done. Ever. Neither have my girlfriend, my parents, my siblings, my friends or my old colleagues or course mates.

I do read about violence in inner cities in the UK, but here, as even Alan Partridge once pointed out, it's mainly gang on gang problems. Crime is highly concentrated in some locations but overall, as the available statistics show it's a very safe place to be.
My last 2 local GMP force's list the previous months crimes. In an area the size of a small town all I ever see are "Burglaries- 3, Car theft- 6, violent attack- 0..."

[Duncan Edwards]

I do read about violence in inner cities in the UK, but here, as even Alan Partridge once pointed out, it's mainly gang on gang problems. Crime is highly concentrated in some locations but overall, as the available statistics show it's a very safe place to be.
My last 2 local GMP force's list the previous months crimes. In an area the size of a small town all I ever see are "Burglaries- 3, Car theft- 6, violent attack- 0..."

I can believe that. It's not much different where I am.

Gang, we're beginning to go in circles so it's probably time to shut this one down. I want to thank everyone for remaining civil, as always, in the midst of a what is an emotional issue for many. It's always interesting to hear others thoughts, particularly those in other countries.

Have a nice day.