[MILAMBER]

Originally posted by Animal: Milamber, You are in fact quite correct, we do strongly disagree. I, personally, see absolutely no logical purpose for a gun. Gunpowder was invented for no other reason than to kill. A weapon of mass destruction. How many people have been killed by guns? I couldn't even begin to comprehend how many, but I'll wager that the death from bombs and chemical weapons don't even compare to guns. Chemical and Biological weapons were abolished and their usage condemend (although some still try to develop them) because of the way they kill people. So is killing someone with a gun a better alternative? If each and every gun owner were responsible enough to understand the devastation that these weapons cause, then I would not take issue with them, however it is not a responsible world we live in. Just take a look at the news. This is, however, just my opinion, and not intended to insult. Arming every member of sociecty with a gun is a recipe for chaos.

Here we go again:

"Gunpowder was invented for no other reason than to kill."

Actually, gunpowder was invented by the Chinese and initially used for fireworks. Gunpowder wasn't used as a weapon until the Chinese developed trade with the western civilizations via the silk road. Check your facts there player.

"A weapon of mass destruction. How many people have been killed by guns? I couldn't even begin to comprehend how many, but I'll wager that the death from bombs and chemical weapons don't even compare to guns."

Here is the government’s definition of a "weapon of mass destruction":

Identifical definition is used in FY97 National Defense Authorization Act, Public Law 104-201, September 23, 1996 (quoted at http://www.fas.org/nuke/control/ctr/...r3230-2.html), giving it added field-context credibility
(1) The term "weapon of mass destruction" means any weapon or device that is intended, or has the capability, to cause death or serious bodily injury to a significant number of people through the release, dissemination, or impact of--
(A) toxic or poisonous chemicals or their precursors;
(B) a disease organism; or
(C) radiation or radioactivity.

Guns don't quite fit this definition there sport. By your definition all of our cars would be considered “weapons of mass destruction”.

“Chemical and Biological weapons were abolished and their usage condemend (although some still try to develop them) because of the way they kill people. So is killing someone with a gun a better alternative?”

There is no situation here that demands an alternative! Even if there were, guns would never be considered an alternative to bombing anything! Regardless of that even, chemical weapons are nothing when compared to a Hydrogen Bomb. Do you want to know something really ironic? Nuclear weapons, the mother of all weapons that massively destroy, have been one of the biggest reasons our planet has not yet engaged in WWIII. For decades, the threat of nuclear war has kept people in check. What does that do to your theory? Imagine that, a weapon of mass destruction inciting peace instead of war!

“If each and every gun owner were responsible enough to understand the devastation that these weapons cause, then I would not take issue with them, however it is not a responsible world we live in.”

You speak as if guns have a mind of their own. They are MERELY TOOLS. Guns don’t create devastation, their owners do. It is fundamentally impossible for an owner to understand the devastation an inanimate object can create. As you so aptly said, “…it is not a responsible world we live in.”. That is it exactly! The problem is with the people. If you take guns away, people will still kill people. It’s inevitable.

“Arming every member of sociecty with a gun is a recipe for chaos”

Of course it would be. Nobody here is advocating arming every member of society with a weapon. In fact this is the first it has been mentioned and I think it’s a crazy idea. I have no idea why you even said this. Lets try and stay realistic, ok?

Lastly, of course I don’t take undue personal offense to your opinions. Guns have helped pave the way to create this wonderful country we live in where freedom of speech is allowed. In fact, guns are out there right now, as we’re having this lovely conversation, protecting your rights. Do you value your rights friend?

[ 05-03-2002, 02:45 AM: Message edited by: MILAMBER ]