Just reading about the NSW prohibition on lasers, now. Interesting how that'll play out in terms of astronomy use.
Most states here allow non-concealed carry except in certain areas (around schools, in many public and private buildings, hospitals,etc) provided the owner has a permit. Carriers can be arrested for "disturbing the peace" by aggressive law enforcement, but that rarely sticks. We had a militia group here in Wisconsin years back that would dispense its members to the local malls to walk around with guns on their hips as a gesture of gun ownership pride. Scared the crap outa the moms walking with their kids....
Interesting data from the FBI (Newspaper: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution) Of the 10,177 homicides that involved guns in 2006, the FBI concluded that 195, or 1.9 percent of them, were classified as "justifiable" - shooting of a criminal by a private citizen in self-defense. [source: The Week, April 25, 2008, Vol 8 Issue 358] Sure, the FBI here can decide how to define such, but it's food for thought. This phenomenon of guns in private hands being a major source of "hero-in-white-hat" deeds and keeping the criminals at bay isn't easily proven by the available data.
Again, a separate issue from whether it is a 'right' to possess and carry a gun. That I leave to our courts. But the urban legend above is what I take issue with....
Regards
Scott
Quote:
Originally Posted by DARKMATTER
Interesting debate.
Never really thought much about being pro firearms, generally against them.
But what if carrying was not concealed but on "show".
Do you think this might make someone less likely to try and intimidate someone else with a firearm?
Food for thought?
I'd personally love a world without them but I am reallistic. They are available and the bad guy generally will have one. What to do?
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