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This makes it sound like the US is in a state of constant warfare. While this may be accurate, it does make one wonder why citizens of a country supposedly in p

This makes it sound like the US is in a state of constant warfare. While this may be accurate, it does make one wonder why citizens of a country supposedly in peacetime should constantly be watching out for and dodging bullets.

xxpor 5y ago
People are incredibly poor at risk estimation. Just having a gun in your home for self-defense is a net negative, because of the risk of accidents and how much easier it becomes to commit suicide. But for a lot of folks, their gun ownership is tied up in their perception of what it means to be a man. Protecting your family and all that. It's terribly toxic.
- burner556 5y ago
  What’s toxic is having somebody breaking into your house and not being able to do anything about it except call the police who might or might not show up in the next 15 minutes. What’s toxic is when only criminals have guns and you cannot protect yourself with equal force.
  - xxpor 5y ago
    That's exactly my point. For the average person, it's not a net win to have that gun around. The chance you'll be the victim of a random occupied home invasion is VERY VERY small.
    - burner556 5y ago
      I agree with you, however: I’m not willing to give up my individual freedom to protect my family for the benefit of the group. If you are, cool. Also, my eyebrows are raised at the idea that protecting your family is toxic in your OG comment. Come again?
      - xxpor 5y ago
        I protect my family by making the world a better place/supporting structural solutions to problems. Not by pretending I'm going to be a hero by shooting someone that just wants stuff. Unfortunately for a lot of folks on the right, they do think that's what'll happen. What will actually happen is something like this: https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/texas-toddler-gun-car-shoots-mother-sibling-82105585 https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/texas-toddler-gun-car-sh... In the worst cases, people's gun collections become a significant contributor to their ego. See also: lifted trucks.
        burner556 5y ago
        Thanks for your input. How do you know somebody crashing through your window just wants stuff? What if they can kidnap your wife / hold somebody hostage to get even more stuff. Is that a risk you’re willing to take? Agreed with your point on ego, it is sad. I would just add that responsible gun owners keep their guns locked up at all times especially with children in the house. Can’t say everybody is responsible but the benefit is worth the risk from an individual level IMO Look at the Mexicans. They have absolutely no way to protect themselves from criminals. No rights to own guns. No functioning police force. No functioning government. They just live in fear and constantly get fucked.
        yawaramin 5y ago
        Is the solution to Mexico's situation to arm everyone in greater quantities? Is the US suffering from those levels of crime? What's the likelihood that a random person will experience a home invasion/kidnapping scenario in the US? Now what's the risk of kids finding the guns in the house and accidentally discharging them? What's the risk of increased suicides? Someone firing a gun because they got into an emotionally heated argument? There are many factors. It's not clear-cut. If we followed your reasoning, we would never step outside the house, because a drunk driver might crash into and kill us at any moment while we're walking outside.
        burner556 5y ago
X6S1x6Okd1st 5y ago
The second amendment & what it's become since it was penned goes a long way towards explaining it.

xxpor 5y ago

People are incredibly poor at risk estimation. Just having a gun in your home for self-defense is a net negative, because of the risk of accidents and how much easier it becomes to commit suicide. But for a lot of folks, their gun ownership is tied up in their perception of what it means to be a man. Protecting your family and all that. It's terribly toxic.

burner556 5y ago
What’s toxic is having somebody breaking into your house and not being able to do anything about it except call the police who might or might not show up in the next 15 minutes. What’s toxic is when only criminals have guns and you cannot protect yourself with equal force.
- xxpor 5y ago
  That's exactly my point. For the average person, it's not a net win to have that gun around. The chance you'll be the victim of a random occupied home invasion is VERY VERY small.
  - burner556 5y ago
    I agree with you, however: I’m not willing to give up my individual freedom to protect my family for the benefit of the group. If you are, cool. Also, my eyebrows are raised at the idea that protecting your family is toxic in your OG comment. Come again?
    - xxpor 5y ago
      I protect my family by making the world a better place/supporting structural solutions to problems. Not by pretending I'm going to be a hero by shooting someone that just wants stuff. Unfortunately for a lot of folks on the right, they do think that's what'll happen. What will actually happen is something like this: https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/texas-toddler-gun-car-shoots-mother-sibling-82105585 https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/texas-toddler-gun-car-sh... In the worst cases, people's gun collections become a significant contributor to their ego. See also: lifted trucks.
      - burner556 5y ago
        Thanks for your input. How do you know somebody crashing through your window just wants stuff? What if they can kidnap your wife / hold somebody hostage to get even more stuff. Is that a risk you’re willing to take? Agreed with your point on ego, it is sad. I would just add that responsible gun owners keep their guns locked up at all times especially with children in the house. Can’t say everybody is responsible but the benefit is worth the risk from an individual level IMO Look at the Mexicans. They have absolutely no way to protect themselves from criminals. No rights to own guns. No functioning police force. No functioning government. They just live in fear and constantly get fucked.
        yawaramin 5y ago
        Is the solution to Mexico's situation to arm everyone in greater quantities? Is the US suffering from those levels of crime? What's the likelihood that a random person will experience a home invasion/kidnapping scenario in the US? Now what's the risk of kids finding the guns in the house and accidentally discharging them? What's the risk of increased suicides? Someone firing a gun because they got into an emotionally heated argument? There are many factors. It's not clear-cut. If we followed your reasoning, we would never step outside the house, because a drunk driver might crash into and kill us at any moment while we're walking outside.
        burner556 5y ago

X6S1x6Okd1st 5y ago

The second amendment & what it's become since it was penned goes a long way towards explaining it.