Agreed on all counts. But I would add that we need to compare ourselves not only with other states, but with other similarly large countries with similar problems. Then we get much more perspective... nitro
Violent crime rate would be reduced if you increased the capacity to carry a concealed weapon? Try a different route. Perhaps it is access to health care, or access to work, or access to a decent place to live, or a community that cares about those that are within it's scope. THOSE THINGS reduce crime rates, not guns. If you are afraid of getting mugged or rapped, get a really big powerful dog. Trust me, they will cross the street when they see you coming. nitro
"Violent crime rate would be reduced if you increased the capacity to carry a concealed weapon? " Several studies have shown this. "Try a different route. Perhaps it is access to health care, or access to work, or access to a decent place to live, or a community that cares about those that are within it's scope." Agreed. This is the better solution, and focuses on the real issues. "If you are afraid of getting mugged or rapped, get a really big powerful dog. Trust me, they will cross the street when they see you coming." This will certainly help, but not always. The problem with big powerful dogs is: 1) People in metropolitan areas usually cant have them because of yard requirements, etc Renting a place with a yard big enough for a dog which wouldn't be considered CRUEL would triple my rent in san diego. Finding a place that even allows a big dog, is EXTREMELY difficult. I have a cat, and that disqualifies me from 90% of the rentals. 2) Big powerful dogs can be very friendly - and therefore useless. 3) Useful big powerful dogs, the kind that will actually attack, can get you thrown in prison, like that lady in San Fran whos dog KILLED someone. Her life is ruined. A citizen with a firearm is far more capable of making the correct decision rather than a big powerful dog. Just look at all the issues with pit bulls killing people. Mauled children, people, etc.... Yet ANOTHER example of MISUSE by a person. It's NOT the pit bulls fault, yet they are often blamed as being inherently dangerous dogs, instead of the owners that beat them and have them fight other dogs for money. Focusing on the dogs, or the guns, or whatever detracts from focusing on the real issue. I would like to see people discuss the issues that nitro and nihaba brought up in their posts instead. WHAT is the source of american violence? Some people see racism in Hestons comments, but is he really that far off? Historically, people KILL one another for the slightest of differences. The catholics and the protestants for example. In a country as mixed with ours, that is also violent, what else would you expect? However, we also know that black on black crime is also very prevalent? Why is that? Is it cultural? Or does the reason really have more to do with the economic ladder and poverty? I have never heard a really good argument to explain american violence. peace axeman
Surf, Do you own a dog? Ever hear that predators do not like to confront that which is going to cause them risk? The prefer easy targets, and will forgo you with a 120 pound dog that can take a 275 pound middle linebacker down and rip his throat out at a whim. They are able to sense all sorts of things that aren't even in our dimension of imagination. Although there are always wackos that will pull a gun on a bullmasfiff or a pitbull, you better not miss, and even if he does get the dog, he will have to shoot the dog several times in ordert to kill it, that buys you time, and remember, the goal is to intemidate you, not to shoot you. This person has just increased their odds of getting caught by 10000 times by choosing this scenario as a target. nitro
yes, i own a very large dog. he is very protective of his "turf" and having him makes me feel better leaving the family alone despite having high tech security system, cameras, etc. his senses are way more atuned than mine, which is another reason we have him. but i do not walk with him in the city, etc. it's tough to take a dog into a restaurant, etc. home protection is a good reason to have a large dog, its seems impractical to walk a dog every where you go. best, surfer
I wish I could own a dog Fortunately, I don't need a guard dog or firearm these days. But I could be wrong. peace axeman
axe, I have not gotten to any of your responses mostly because you rarely state your opinion, but "studies" and other nonsense that you deem to be "proof." Your opinions aren't yours, but someone else's. I can set out to prove anything I want by suppling a "study." Look at all the "diets" that have changed their minds about what is or is not good for you, several times over, based on "studies." As far as not having the capacity to have a dog, unfortunately many of the things you point are valid and it would be cruel to have a dog simply as a self defense and not as a friend. But I will leave this subject on the note that having a dog, even a small dog, is a great deterent to a presumed aggressor simply for the reason that a dog does not fear for it's life and in the streets, will cause a comotion, and in the house is ten times the deterent that an alarm is. My reason for pointing this out is that people point out all kinds of facts for the need for guns. I think they are silly for 99% of all cases in the presence of a police force or an army hired for their respective purposes. Specilization works on all levels. It is the reason Michael Jordan does not maw his own lawn, or why Mike Tyson has a "body guard." It is too bad that we will not be around to see history's judgement of us. A culture brilliant in it's manipulation of nature and brilliant in it's insights, but essentially "emotionally" disfunctional when it comes to a simple a thing as living in peace with one's neighbors, all justified in the name of fear. Karl Marx had it right many years ago: Man is essentially an economic animal. Meet these economic needs, and most other issues that arise as a result of a lack thereof become non-issues. nitro