"The right to keep and bear arms!"

[azsnowman]

Seems everytime you turn on the news, someones gotten shot, someones been killed by someone using a handgun! Following these tragic stories, someones crying *Gun Control, Ban handguns*

Should handguns be banned, if so, WHY?

The right to bear arms is our constitutional RIGHT To remain a free country, we need to bear arms, we need to protect ourselfs! With the crime rate ever climbing these days, you bet your rear I've got handguns and rifles in my house, I keep a loaded sidearm in my nightstand at all times "just in case". In the words of Charleton Heston, "They can pry my gun from my cold, dead hands!"

Dennis

[streetsoldier]

Hell...Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my gun!

NO, handguns, so-called "assault" rifles, shotguns, BB/pellet/paintball guns should NOT be outlawed. Period.

Remember, folks..."Those who beat their guns into plowshares WILL PLOW for those who DON'T."

The Second Amendment was placed there as the "fourth (and ultimate) check" on unbridled abuse of Federal power; the understanding was that each citizen should have his own rifle or musket, powder and shot, of a type equal to, or better than those supplied to the Army...in consideration of the possibility that a tyrant would someday hold the Oval Office and employ our Army against the citizens of these United States. An attempt at internal suppression was to be met with far greater firepower BY the citizens themselves, thus rendering any such move impossible.

Re-examine the minutes of the Constitutional Convention, and notes thereof (taken by the delegates themselves) if you are in any doubt as to its intent.

"An armed man is a CITIZEN; an unarmed man is a SUBJECT." Believe it.

[azsnowman]

" !"

Dennis

[coriolis]

I don't own a gun. In my own situation (and location) I consider an accident to have a higher probability than the need to use one in self defense. Once the kids are out of the house I may well become an owner. But I'm on your side AZ.

[Lindaloo]

Well... I believe in your right to bear arms. Florida passed a law and armed it's citizens and the crime rate decreased 80% since. ALL states should follow suit.

[mf_dolphin]

I have a right to bear arms and anyone who tries to take them away will find out I know how to use them Personally I have no problem with registering my arms or even having them "fingerprinted". After all we register our cars...

[southerngale]

Yes we have the right to bear arms!! Banning them would only take the guns away from the good, honest folks. The criminals would still get guns. Armed criminals/Unarmed civilians. Oh yeah, that's a better situation.

[Aslkahuna]

upholding California's gun control laws, the Ultra Liberal (dare we say Communist) 9th Circuit Court of Appeals stated that the 2nd Amendment Does NOT confer to each and every private citizen the right to own a gun.
The issue is now headed for the Supreme Court.

Steve

[Lindaloo]

upholding California's gun control laws, the Ultra Liberal (dare we say Communist) 9th Circuit Court of Appeals stated that the 2nd Amendment Does NOT confer to each and every private citizen the right to own a gun.
The issue is now headed for the Supreme Court.

Steve

AGAIN?!! Good grief!!

[azsnowman]

Join the NRA!!! All dues go towards fighting the 9th circuit court of Communists!

Dennis

[mf_dolphin]

No wonder they are the most overturned court. They can't read!

[ColdFront77]

It does make sense, having a gun increases the chances of an accidental shot to yourself or your loved one in the house.

[azsnowman]

Yes Tom, there are some serious ramifications to owning a sidearm, however, it's called paying attention to detail. Never leave your weapon loaded when young children are around, always use a trigger lock, make SURE there are no rounds chambered and ALWAYS keep your weapon locked up.

Dennis

[Aslkahuna]

the 9th Circuit is using a very strict interpretation of the phrase "right to bear and keep arms". Their thinking being that the word is "arms" and not "guns". I happen to have a crossbow and a very large Bolo knife in my house therefore I am armed but without a gun-however, should I desire to purchase a firearm (which I may have to soon for protection on chases in remote areas) my thought is that guns are included in that phrase.

Steve

[ColdFront77]

By the time you unlock your gun, take the trigger lock off and load it you may not have time to defend yourself, anyway.

While unlocking the case the gun is in, unlocking the trigger lock and loading it you could unfortunately mishandle the gun without meaning to and cause a problem.

Just a thought.

[mf_dolphin]

Arms as defined when the constitution was written was understood to mean rifles. The revisionist liberals will try anything to twist that phrase. I've also heard the arguement that the phrase is meant to mean State Militia. BS is what I say.

[JetMaxx]

My dad is a law enforcement officer...so I grew up with guns..so did my little sister. We were taught to LEAVE dad's guns alone. We knew they were for only one purpose...to kill the bad guys -- but just as fire and sharp knives, were extremely dangerous and could easily kill us or our friends if mishandled. I never messed with dad's service revolver, nor his rifle and shotguns...nor did Becky or our friends.

I was trained in the proper use and safety of a .22 rifle at age 8...began practicing with a .38 revolver at 11. Becky began plinking targets and learning how to safely load a .22 rifle when she was 7. A gun is a tool...in trained hands they save lives, but when used by criminals or the untrained, they take lives...many times innocent lives.

A motor vehicle is the same way...they can transport people safely, but if abused or driven by an idiot/ impaired driver can kill several lives...those inside and those just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Yes, a revolver can be used to commit suicide...but so can a razor blade, too many pain pills, and a garden hose run from the tailpipe to car window. One of my friends from high school took her own life by jumping from a high ledge in the north Georgia mountains only weeks after her high school graduation.

I'm not a gun nut and never have been. At age 41 I own the same .38 revolver I bought at 19 for my security job...I keep it cleaned and it looks new. I've owned a pump shotgun since age 18. I don't need an assault rifle, nor do I want one. The only rifles in this house are a couple old .22's that belong to dad. I've never cared for hunting, so I own no hunting rifle (I'd much rather go fishing).

I hope and pray I live to 100+ and never have to kill anyone breaking in my home, trying to harm my family and I. I don't want trouble, but am prepared both gunwise and mentally if I have to defend us...and have no problem using deadly force to do it.

I'm not a gun nut, but support my right to keep and bear arms 100%. I'd much rather own guns and never need them -- than to need a gun someday and not have one

PW

[azsnowman]

You stop and think about it, "IF" they really ban handguns, this isn't going to stop ppl from owning them, for crips sake, look at illegal drugs, there are MORE illegal drugs than LEGAL drugs in this country. Take for instance the Middle East......when I was in the Navy, stationed aboard the carrier in the Med, we pulled into Alexandria Egypt, first thing we saw upon entering the city were these *Opium Bars*, pay 2$ for a *hit* off the water bong sitting in the middle of the bar, go about your merry way. No need for the DEA over there, the murder rate in the Mid East is virtually 0% along with robbery etc, all things tied to drug trade!

Ban handguns, you might as well give up the rest of your freedoms, lay down and play dead!

Dennis