As my son would say,
YOU ROCK, NICOLO!

HUG --exactly what i would say (except maybe a little less intelligently than you did )...guns are just a testimony to the very primitive and harmful spirit that is allowed to roam unchecked through "civilized" society...how is a government that solves it's problems by killing people supposed to tell it's citizens that they can't do the same thing? the whole thing is twisted and corrupted and we should all be ashamed of ourselves for what we do to each other--and may i point out, one doesn't buy a gun just as a wall-hanging. one buys a gun to kill. i believe the popular refrain from pro-gun people is "guns don't kill people. people kill people." ...all the more reason that people shouldn't have guns.

Sorry I realised after I'd posted the poll that there were some things I could have done differently and better, but I put the 'other' option because I guessed beforehand that this might happen.

I'm impressed by what you say ~ and not surprised.

Or be hurt themselves.

I guess we can all agree to disagree as long as I don't get generalized as a bad apple. A peace-loving, law-abiding citizen who is also serving inthe military, I've legally owned 3 guns for 13 yrs.and it has never been a problem for me. This is a personal decision I have made and will stick with until the day I die. I started owning guns after a home invasion that took place at a nearby home across the street. I personally am not advocating anyone to do what I do. It's his/her prerogative. But I do agree just like everyone else here that firearms have only 1 objective. And it is to kill, no matter what you use it for whether it's hunting (I don't hunt), performing your duty (police/military/govt.work), personal protection, or target shooting. Because of that, a gun needs to be handled responsibly and used in a lawful manner. I know we all agree that a gun in the hands of an impaired person, criminal, mental case, or untrained/immature individual is nothing more than an accident waiting to happen.

Yes Tequila, but the problem is that you often don't know who the impaired person, criminal, or mental case is until they have taken their gun and killed somebody.

If fewer people bought guns, then there would be fewer guns made, which means that fewer guns would be out there, which would mean fewer gun deaths. It isn't rocket science.

Hi Tequilla--"This is a personal decision I have made and will stick with until the day I die."
While i agree with your decision for now, you have thought it out and weighed with experience--but for goodness' sake don't lock yourself in to a decision and give up freewill in the matter.i believe i would never use a weapon to kill again, i would rather not speculate on what may change my mind, perhaps it would be losing my mind in a fit of unawareness.--nicolo

I have my own freewill. Everybody does. Whether anyone wants to be armed, defenseless, resolute, or submissive is their choice. I choose to be armed, resolute, and free.

that's cool, cuz your risk of dying a death by gunfire has risen 4 fold. but hey, its your choice.

Gunfire? Anyone can die of gunfire whether you have a gun or not. Especially in the news, half of those that died were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Guns have nothing to do with it. They are not some bullseye that says "shoot me!". I carry my pistol concealed so that they don't know. Please!!! You are more at risk of being gunned down if:
1. You pick the wrong friends.
2. You go out at night more often.
3. You go out looking for trouble.
4. You hang out with gangs.
5. You engage in criminal activity, especially home invasions.
6. You go to crime-infested area.
7. You engage in combat, especially in the military or police.
8. Being totally oblivious to your surroundings.
9. Underestimating the situation or assailant, such as not watching his/her hands.
10. You brandish your gun to everyone or carry it out in the open.
11. You use poor tactics in a shootout (ex.=not using proper cover).
12. You allow the assailant to get a hold of your gun.
13. You run out of ammo or your gun malfunctions in a shootout.
14. You handle your gun carelessly (negligent discharge).
15. Not avoiding the situation if it's safe to do so.

Even if you choose not to carry a weapon or remain a pacifist, you are still not immune to the dangers of getting capped by a bullet, slug, or shotgun shell. Criminals are sociopaths and they don't care! And to think it won't happen to you makes you naive and in denial.