Poll: Do you believe in the Second Amendment?

[CaptainKoala]

I saw the 'hardest country to invade' thread and it made me thing about the 2nd amendment. I always believed in the right to bear arms, but that thread gave me a whole new perspective on it. Because if you're trying to invade America, and you somehow get past its military, you have an army of citizens literally 3 or 4 times bigger than the Army, but just as well armed waiting for you. And I think that is just another reason that it is important to be able to own guns. Anyways, what are your thoughts?

Also, what are your thoughts on other countries policies on guns?

 

[TheIronRuler]

We have civilians with fire-arms, usually for their profession as a security guard.
When it comes to hunting there are about two hundred with hunting license, which is small.
On the other hand, I'm in Israel. Army can operate in our soil, we have armed police, we have armed military police, we can call up the reserves in half a week.
We're secure.

The reason why we don't have people walking around with a pistol is because we don't have a "gun porn" culture here were " 'Tis our right to shoort stuff!". We each serve in the military so we know our way around fire-arms, and when the order is given to mobalize the reserves each takes up a rifle and shoots the enemy.

I know that your military needs a confirmation from Congress to operate on you own soil, but you have the national guard and plenty of folk with hunting license and a rifle.

 

[MorsePacific]

I think owning a gun is fine. Most people use them for sports and leisure and not, you know, wanton murder, so that's okay. I do think it needs to be restricted, however.

No citizen should own assault weapons. Period.

 

[Craorach]

I'm not American.

If the country I was living in decided to give that right to it's people, I would leave, immediately, no matter what hardship or difficulty I would have to suffer.

The gun porn, hyper aggressive, might makes right attitude that it encourages revolts me to my very core.

Edit : Licensed firearms used for hunting or target shooting, kept securely and recorded, are fine. The process for getting a permit should include gun safety courses and a requirement that you own a secure location to keep them, separate from the ammunition, at all times.

 

[Arakasi]

I don't like guns.

But I think that bows and swords and that kind of stuff should be legal.

 

[Thaluikhain]

Yeah, I think that the federal government should be able to take on the debt of the states which didn't exist at...oh, you mean the US second amendment.

No. A good idea at the time (though personally I'd interpret the original meaning differently than most anyway), but no longer useful.

Also, the US government has been playing fast and loose with it anyway, though that's an unrelated issue.

No citizen should own assault weapons. Period.

"Assault weapons" haven't been defined. Assault rifle/carbines, yes, but not "assault weapons".

 

[Psycho.Gane]

I think owning actual assault rifles should be banned. most of the criteria that lists assault weapons can also apply to WWI-era rifles. I think we should be using the current army definitions of these fabled "assault weapons". And, if it comes to banning guns that are supposedly more deadly due to barrel shrouds and pistol grips, I would like the general public to be informed on what they actually do.
this vid pretty much explains what I mean:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfKADcfE90U

 

[T5seconds]

The right in itself is merely saying, you have no right to take out guns away. It isn't saying hey you bugger, here's a mac-10 go batshit. We regulate our gun system heavily. Saying you would leave because your government gave you more rights would be silly.

 

[Zarobitt]

I completely believe in the Second Amendment and the statement "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms", but of course not everyone should have that right. Owning a weapon of that power is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. It requires a certain mindset and a level of maturity. I, being from Arizona(one of the most lenient gun states in the entire USA) and having been raised a police officer as a parent, have been around guns and gun safety for most of my entire life. I was always taught of the responsibility in owning and carrying a gun, something I take very seriously. I view it as a means of protection and am fully capable of using it in a life or death situation and for nothing more than that.

Although I do believe that the original intent of the Second Amendment was giving the people the right to have guns for the purpose of maintaining a well armed civilian militia, I think that evolving society still has the right given to us by the Bill of Rights, regardless of the changing social times since it was written. However everyone is entitled to their opinion, mine mostly comes from how and where I was raised.

I currently follow my beliefs and own two guns myself, a Smith&Wesson 4013 which I keep at home for personal protection as I am not yet old enough to carry a concealed weapon according to local laws, and cheap Chinese knock off of a Russian rifle that my dad gave to me.

 

[Jerubbaal]

My opinion isn't one of your choices. I belive that the Second Amendment only guarantees a collective right to bear arms, not an individual one. That being said, I think the individual right to bear arms is awesome, I just don't think it's a right guaranteed by the Constitution. Though the Supreme Court disagrees with me on that one, so whatever.

 

[MrMixelPixel]

I HATE guns.

However, I do think people have the right to own them. They can be used for safety, hunting, etc.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

No, not at all. When considering this law, you have to think of the context in which it was written. Back then, when guns were nowhere near as deadly and they were still fighting Native Americans, sure. Now? Not so much.

 

[Worgen]

well I believe it exists, if that is what you mean

 

[FalloutJack]

Sure, why not? Unlike some people, I'd actually exercise responsibility. I'd take that Howitzer just to be a show-off. It'd be a waste to fire it, though, unless the neighborhood tank was stolen.

 

[dyre]

If America ever falls, it's not going to be from a ground invasion, and armed civilians aren't going to be able to do jack shit when the nukes hit the ground >_>

That said, I do believe in the right to bear arms in the US. The country is so infested with guns that a ban on firearms wouldn't do anything to stop criminals. We're not really good at banning stuff anyway. Look at Prohibition, the war on drugs, etc.

 

[Midnight Crossroads]

For the most part, I'm in favor of extensive gun rights. I find the idea of criminalizing law-abiding citizens for sake of paranoia to be absurd, cowardly, and short-sighted. It doesn't fix the underlying social problems which create violence in the first place. All it does is create the illusion of safety.

 

[Trippy Turtle]

Even if you think you will handle it responsibly there is no saying everyone will. How many shootings have been in America compared to Australia? I feel so much better not having guns in Australia because nobody having weapons is a lot safer then everyone having weapons.
Off topic (Kind of): If you were getting mugged, and new you were in no serious danger as long as you gave over your money, would you shoot the person doing it?

 

[Leadfinger]

I love guns, and I see no reason why I shouldn't have a couple. However, the thought of other people owning guns, i.e. the drunk wife-beater down the street, the guy with anger management issues at my office, my ex-wife, etc., makes me uneasy.

 

[Phasmal]

No, I dont like guns.
I wouldnt have one in the house.