[Azred]

Originally posted by Neb: Now this thread has been an important lesson, two things we have learned: #1 Gun nuts will not ever admit that not having the right to bear arms is a good idea, nor will they ever agree that they can defend themselves some other way. #2 The rest of us nuts will continue to rant about alternatives and the virtues of not everyone having easy access to guns anyway, but we'll be heavily ignored.

hmm? What? Did you say something? [img]tongue.gif[/img]

As stated before, I don't own any guns and probably never will. However, I will always defend the rights of gun owners to own their guns. Besides, I can defend myself quite nicely. [img]graemlins/blueblink.gif[/img]

Originally posted by Neb: Not really. This is an impossible discussion. Neither side will ever budge from their viewpoints. So that's how it is. We continue to ramble about what we think is right and they about what they think is right, neither succeeds in changing any opinions.

Originally posted by Epona: But you shouldn't go into a discussion with the sole aim of changing everyone elses opinion - it's unrealistic and a bit arrogant (no offense intended).

Debate is never about changing someone's mind; it is about presenting points of view. Trying to change someone else's mind leads to distortion of facts, personal attacks, inflammatory remarks, etc.

Beleive me, I wish we didn't have the nutballs out there against whom guns are necessary, but life just isn't that rosy. Ballistic projectile weapons are a fact of existence; removing them from easy access will never remove them from grey or black market access and certainly won't remove the knowledge of how to manufacture guns; anyone with the proper maching tools and training can do it.
In the end, no gun law, no matter how restrictive, has ever prevented anyone from being able to buy a gun from someone willing to sell it.

Originally posted by MILAMBER: I know our friend Avatar enjoys shooting the bow and arrow competitavely. I ask you, where is the difference between shooting bows and shooting rifles? Is archery a noble sport and shooting not? Both were initially created with the sole purpose of killing, yet exceptions are made in one instance and not the other. Why is that? I submit that shooting guns is no different then shooting a bow and arrow. Both can be dangerous in the hands of those lacking maturity and training.

Quite right! Archery is great! I plan on purchasing a bow in the future, myself. It is a shame, though, that there are no Kyudo schools in my area.... [img]graemlins/verysad.gif[/img]