If there were no guns, crime would still exist. Only they'd be committed with bats, swords, and other medievel or makeshift weapons. Like prisons, for example. Despite the rules not allowing inmates to have guns, prison assaults against cops and inmates happen too frequently. Here are some prime examples in prisons that can used as makeshift weapons from everyday items:
-bent metal fork
-shanks
-feces
-workshop tools
-rolled up magazines hardened w/ toothpaste and water

Dude, if you wanna xxxx with the big dogs, you've gotta site references.

Here are a few to get you going.. and they are in real medical journals ... not some throwaway leaflet you can buy at the gun shop.

Guns in the Household
Kassirer JP
N Engl J Med 329:1117, October 7, 1993 Editorial

Gun Ownership as a Risk Factor for Homicide in the Home
Kellermann AL, Rivara FP, Rushforth NB, Banton JG, Reay DT, Francisco JT, Locci AB, Prodzinski J, Hackman BB, Somes G
N Engl J Med 329:1084, October 7, 1993 Special Article

Mortality among Recent Purchasers of Handguns
Wintemute GJ, Parham CA, Beaumont JJ, Wright M, Drake C
N Engl J Med 341:1583, November 18, 1999 Special Article

So what are you saying - that if we gave prisoners guns that the amount of violence in prison would be unchanged?

It might be less amount but violence, which is a part of life, still happens. Sure, guns are easier to use to carry out violence in larger numbers. But, in the hands of a trained and responsible law-abiding citizen, it gives him/her a much bigger chance in prevailing over a larger, stronger, and armed assailant. What are you gonna do if a larger man who is coked up on PCP (feels no pain/strikes to vulnerable areas don't work/it happens)) is choking you with his bar hands and can't/wont let go? You don't have a knife or other weapon. Despite its misuse in crimes, guns still have its advantages when it comes to ending a lethal situation quickly and effectively. If not, then cops, soldiers, and trained/licensed citizens wouldn't be carrying or using them. Despite not being reported in the local news (pretty much biased anyway), there have been situtions that have ended in the suspect running away or giving up without even a shot being fired or blood being shed because of the intimidating presence of a gun. As for sources, there are just as much sources that defend or oppose the use of a gun. You want sources? There are many too look for. Try starting with the NRA. Either way, all sources are just based on empirical data. Too many factors. And besides, the medical community is anti-gun and is definitely not the source for me to believe.

Have you ever owned, carried or even practiced with a gun in your life? If not, your perceptions of guns are based on movies and some mainstream media material. Until you, you will never understand. It's best we stop this now.

If you are talking to me - I will answer -
I have shot rifles at target ranges several times as a teen. Never did much for me.
My dad also owns a 22 caliber rifle and shoots gophers in his back yard. He can recite the NRA mantra by heart.

I happen to love archery - have loved it since I first tried it at about age 6. But I'm not licensed to walk around with a loaded quiver.

I don't hunt animals period. And no I'm not a vegetarian.

I am a pacifist. My risk of dying by gunfire is lower than yours.

What makes the risk lower? There are a lot of factors I've already mentioned as stated above that makes anyone at risk, no matter what. I also don't hunt. And, in all my 12 yrs. as a gun owner, I have never faced gunfire. It's because I have avoided the bad habits mentioned in my previous post. Avoiding those bad habits won't make me avoid getting shot but it lessens the odds. I'm curious, though. Despite your experience with a rifle, what made you change your viewpoint? I just wanna know so that I can understand. You are entitled to yours. It's a free country isn't it? I know I can't change mines but it's much better to understand one another. Believe me. I've got friends who hate guns but it doesn't get in the way of my friendship with them.

WHat makes my risk lower? I don't know. I just know the stats... see the references I listed above, which are based on solid objective research... or else it couldn't get published in the journal.

What changed my view? I'm not sure I really "had a view" when I was younger. I tried just about everything as a child and teenager - just to try it. Some things I liked, some things I didn't. I didn't "hate" guns - I just didn't get into them.

As an adult - I simply think that we would have alot less gun violence, if we had alot less guns. The stats are on my side.

I don't hate gun owners. Like I said - my dad is one of those "guns don't kill people" kind of guys - and I still love him. But we don't talk about guns. I'm pretty annoyed that the neighbors next to me fire their b-b guns within pissing distance from my yard - but what can I do. I live in Tennessee. I just make sure my kids are indoors when the neighbors are doing target practice. Likewise, I don't hate you either Tequila - just trying to probe your thoughts... as you are free to do with me.

Your neighbors definitely have issues. They are not suppose to be firing BB guns unless their yard has an adequate backstop and a high wooden fence where they can't alarm neighbors. If it bothers you, you can either let them know or just call the cops and let them handle it. Anyway, just don't believe every sources that you hear. There are various sources, whether pro or anti-gun. It's just a matter of what we believe on our own freewill.

They have no fence. In fact their back yard borders on a popular walking trail through the neighborhood. Heck, each property is only on 1/4 acre. Its not like we live in the woods.
Anyway - I have no problems with you Tequila, you sound like a safe gun owner.