I reply as someone who owns a few handguns (5 pistols: an IMI Jericho in 9mm, a Beretta 92FS in 9mm, a Beretta PX4 in 9mm, a Springfield Armory 1911 in .45ACP and a Ruger Mk II 22/45 in .22LR).
First, I absolutely believe in the right to bear arms. That goes along with my stance of ultimately being libertarian. In my mind, people seem to forget a major thing when arguing for the banning of substances or firearms or the like: those who wish to commit criminal actions such as dealing or killing with said items won't be deterred. Look at the failed 'War on Drugs' in the U.S., I may not agree with drug use, but I'm not so bold as to declare that I know what is right for everyone and that my opinion is absolute. Plus, from a financial standpoint, the taxation of these substances (along with more responsible spending by the government) could greatly aide my country.
Returning to the topic at hand though, firearms are only as harmful as their users. There is no such thing as accidental discharge of a firearm, only negligent discharge. Education and respect for what a firearm is capable of can turn firearms from being something frightening to being something extremely useful. Trying to lump them into the 'bad' category while disavowing the good they can do.
For instance, did you know that in the U.S., there are between 800,000 to 2.5 million fewer violent crimes due to defensive handgun use per year? And keep in mind, that doesn't necessarily mean that shots were fired, as I know that wielding a handgun alone can be enough to scare off would-be attackers. Add to that the enjoyment that may be derived from competition shooting, and other sports with firearms (I don't hunt personally, though some do which is both a means of recreation and of supporting oneself in terms of food).
My whole point can be boiled down to this: firearms aren't to blame. Assuming you could ban firearms to the extent that they wouldn't be available on the streets (which would take some serious degree of work that might not even be possible, as people can make 'Saturday Night Specials', cheap and highly dangerous firearms due to their shoddy craftsmanship), people will resort to other methods such as bladed weapons (which, if you've never seen someone sliced up be a blade, it can be terribly disfiguring and make someone's life a nightmare if they even recover fully). People with the desire to do harm to others will continue to do harm to others. The only thing you definitely accomplish by outlawing firearms is stripping lawful citizens of their right to own firearms and protect themselves.
What about the police, you ask? Well, in Washington D.C. (where guns are outlawed, btw), there was actually a trial awhile back. A girl and her roommates were gang-raped and the police had been summoned. They never showed, and this went on for hours. The girls took the police to court, claiming they had not fulfilled their job as officers of the peace. Well, the courts ruled in favor of the police saying that the police had no obligation to respond to a given situation. I dunno about you, but I'd be extremely angry that the police (often cited as a reason for the banning of firearms, as they 'serve and protect' leaving no reason for civilians to possess firearms) didn't have to respond to my distress calls, and I couldn't even defend myself adequately.
A tool is neutral. The person wielding it is the evil behind an attack. I can stab someone in the chest with a screwdriver and hit their heart, killing them. I can beat someone to death with a tire iron. I can run someone over with my car. Does that mean all of the above need to be banned? No. We need to be educated as a society, and if anything we must make people more accountable for their actions, instead of blaming the methods they used.
That's just my opinion. I've owned guns for two years, and I haven't shot a single person. Will I carry one of my pistols for protection? Yes, and legally at that. And if the day ever arrives where I have to use it, when someone endangers my life, I will take responsibility for my actions.
-Corey
