lisub4one
Posts: 94
Joined: 6/9/2006 Status: offline
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I have been a legal, licensed firearms owner for over 30 years, and was introduced to firearms and competed with them well before that legal age by my family, scouting, and even my high school rifle team. I strongly support the rights of the individual to own a firearm given that they have not been convicted of any offense against society that collectively we have deemed should deny them of that right. With ownership, though, should come responsibility; safe storage, vetting by the licensing authority, training, competency testing, not unlike the process we go through to drive a car. Once licensed, so long as the individual does not do anything that would revoke their right to ownership, why should anyone else care if they own a firearm? As far as the use of a firearm to defend home and family, I see it as a means of last resort. Not so much for the impact of the aftermath on the owner, which can be significant psychologically and phisologically, but for the danger to themself should they find themself unwilling or unable to use potentially deadly force in the defense of themself or another. At that point the firearm, now in the hands of an assailant, may present a greater threat of violence, injury, and death to the owner than was originally posed by the intruder. A firearm as a means of defense requires that the owner carefully consider in advance their ability and conviction to use potentially deadly force, and make that decision part of their practice and the drills they use to build proficiency so they can act instinctively should they be faced with such a situation. I agree that a dog is a wonderful first line of defense, and have a 95 pound rescued pit mix at home who is sweet, gentle, and loving to my family, friends, and even strangers, right up until the moment he perceives you as a threat to a member of his pack. He is a key part of home security, as are good locks, solid doors, outdoor motion sensor lighting, a safe room in the house were we can barricade and call for help, and yes, firearms. While I do not celebrate the death of the attacker in this story I do not shed tears for them either, and do not think that the fact that a firearm was involved in their demise should be the central issue. A person was attacked and successfully defended themself against the miscreant who chose to try and do them harm. That, as a society, is something we should celebrate.
< Message edited by lisub4one -- 5/12/2011 6:06:53 AM >
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