Americans defend and exercise their right to keep arms to the death. This is a well known fact.

What I want to know is how many of you have ever had to use said arms (can include knives, kali sticks etc, but not a chair or bottle :rolleyes:) and on how many occasions? What happened?

It baffles me because I understand the principle behind keeping arms but America is one of the only countries where it's executed to such a large degree and in practice I don't honestly think they're as needed as many think. I'm not asying I don't think people should be able to, I don't care about what people own I just want to see how many people have actually had to defend themslves with these arms.

I've been in several situations where my obviously being armed probably saved me a lot of trouble. That counts some of my friends. Especially while I was escorting females back to their apartments/homes/vehicles. Due to work, I've had to live in some of the "murder capital" cities of the US, where violent crime is especially high. I almost couldn't decline, reasonably.


We're the only "first world" or "civilized" country with the First Amendment as well. Does that baffle you?

Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers of the US, has said something to effect of "The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it."

Despite the fact US crime rates are below that of the UK, it's estimated that 1 in 4 are directly affected in some way by violent assault.

My question is why are you concerned at all with a freedom guaranteed in the Bill of Rights when there is no apparent harm in such? Less so than owning pools or automobiles per year.

4 unfortunately, including a chair.

I understand the principle behind keeping arms but America is one of the only countries where it's executed to such a large degree and in practice I don't honestly think they're as needed as many think.

Hmmmm, I wonder why that is?

Hmmmm, I wonder why that is?

I don't think many of the situations that people get into actually require a weapon to defend themselves which is why I wanted to know if someone who has had to use one, what actually happened.

...or are you just trying to be a prick?

I don't think many of the situations that people get into actually require a weapon to defend themselves which is why I wanted to know if someone who has had to use one, what actually happened.

...or are you just trying to be a prick?

Your political leanings are of no mystery to myself, but I wouldn't think many of the regs here would know them. I'm just pointing out inconsistencies when I see them.

To my knowledge, states this side of the pond all have laws forbidding the use of any "deadly weapon" (which firearms are included in the definition) except under specific circumstances, one such being self defense. Any other time you use them you are at the mercy of the local constabulary as to whether you get an assault or brandishing charge. It's not like someone can pull out a gun on a store clerk because she shortchanged him a nickel and said something about his mother.

Your political leanings are of no mystery to myself, but I wouldn't think many of the regs here would know them. I'm just pointing out inconsistencies when I see them.

To my knowledge, states this side of the pond all have laws forbidding the use of any "deadly weapon" (which firearms are included in the definition) except under specific circumstances, one such being self defense. Any other time you use them you are at the mercy of the local constabulary as to whether you get an assault or brandishing charge. It's not like someone can pull out a gun on a store clerk because she shortchanged him a nickel and said something about his mother.

I'm all for an armed populace. It's a great idea.

I just don't think everyone who has a weapon for self-defense/has used it for that purpose really needs/needed to use it.

I'm just looking for insight dude.

The idea isn't that we all feel the need to use weapons at any given time shit happens. However, should a situation occur in which a weapon may be of use ... it's better to have it and need it, than to need it and not have it.

Maybe it's just the fact that I'm in love with the idea of an armed populace. Regardless, I value the lives of law-abiding citizens over those of violent criminals, and applaud anyone who sends them into the next dimension upon their intent or attempt to victimize another.

As a matter of fact last week in my city one man was sent to his maker during an attempted burglary. Good riddance, say I.

I have personally been in situations where having a weapon encouraged detente from both parties.
Particularly if you get to draw before the crook did.
So in my experience, weapons are peacekeeping instruments.

Fine, ignore my question about the First Amendment. The US has it, your country doesn't. I don't think most people need to use the First Amendment as many times as they do.

So what? Care to comment?

I don't think many of the situations that people get into actually require a weapon to defend themselves which is why I wanted to know if someone who has had to use one, what actually happened.


Serious guestion.

But since you're not them, who cares what you think?


I'm sure there are plenty of politicians who think that since you make more than enough to survive with basic necessities, you make "too much" money. You don't need that money. In fact, if you really pry, they would love to redistribute your wealth and feed starving children, clothe the homeless, provide the homeless with apartments, research more cancer treatments (something I've personally done a little of in my younger days), combat obesity, etc. They may think it's more of a societal danger than the lowly death toll firearms pose every year.

Haven't had to fire my weapon with the intent to kill although I wish I was able to in Iraq. Closest I came to self defense was beating 3 punks down with a collapsable baton for trying to jump me.

I'm sure there are plenty of politicians who think that since you make more than enough to survive with basic necessities, you make "too much" money. You don't need that money. In fact, if you really pry, they would love to redistribute your wealth and feed starving children, clothe the homeless, provide the homeless with apartments, research more cancer treatments (something I've personally done a little of in my younger days), combat obesity, etc. They may think it's more of a societal danger than the lowly death toll firearms pose every year.

That's even a less bitter pill to swallow than what I suspect they really want to do with that money. I'm fundamentally opposed to socialism to begin with, but if they were actually serious about pissing that money into the lower class, that wouldn't piss me off as much as using it against civil liberty.

It baffles me because I understand the principle behind keeping arms but America is one of the only countries where it's executed to such a large degree and in practice I don't honestly think they're as needed as many think. I'm not asying I don't think people should be able to, I don't care about what people own I just want to see how many people have actually had to defend themslves with these arms.

So, there's a minimum number of people you have to shoot before you can be considered a responsible gun owner?

Does that seem... directly backwards... to anyone else?

0 times. Guns are not just for defense. They are for going hunting or to the range for some paper punching or other target shooting. People like to go out and just plink cans and other stuff.

Also I keep guns for home defense. I really don't want to have them use them but they are ther eis need. Also i have a couple rifles and a pistol for a SHTF situation.

Firearms are a part of the US culture.

0 times. guns are not just for defense. they are for going hunting or to the range for some paper punching or other target shooting.

Very true. I used to shoot competitively. It's amusing that some attorney generals would have you believe that's all firearms can legitimately be used for... outside of LE and .mil.

I may border dangerously close to politics here but:
The problem with all of these left- leaning, liberty- grabbing politicians seems to be that they want a society where everything is determined based on need alone, and not on the individual's will.
Seems that they haven't read Nietzsche; willpower is what makes the human being a superior creature.

I may border dangerously close to politics here but:
The problem with all of these left- leaning, liberty- grabbing politicians seems to be that they want a society where everything is determined based on need alone, and not on the individual's will.
Seems that they haven't read Nietzsche; willpower is what makes the human being a superior creature.

Sounds more like inoffensive psychoanalysis to me ;-).

Sounds more like inoffensive psychoanalysis to me ;-).

Thanks :D

Once, but not a shot was fired.

Some very drunk guy knocked on my door and attempted (and succeeded, shitty apartment deadbolts!) to force his way through my front door when I informed him he couldn't come in. I took a few steps back to the closet where I retrieved my Mossberg and curtly escorted him back as he recovered from his initial "oh shit" reaction. I wish I had said something cool and Eastwood-esque like "Wrong house, motherfucker!" but it was more of a quick *pump shotgun* *shove loser* *slam door*.

I then called the police, because I'm not some kind of vigilante, though they didn't really do anything except pat me on the back for not killing anybody and admonish me for having a firearm. I wish they'd find that bastard, he owes me a new door.

I'm not as into immediate preparedness as I used to be. Most of my guns are locked up, instead of loaded within arms reach like they used to be, save for a .357 by my bed and a Benelli M2 (I felt the need to upgrade) in the closet, and that has a quick access trigger lock on it too.

As far as the need for self defense, I'm glad my guns "go to waste". I don't want to have to defend myself, let alone kill another human. Justified though it may be, it's not the kind of thing I can just walk away from.

As far as the need for self defense, I'm glad my guns "go to waste". I don't want to have to defend myself, let alone kill another human. Justified though it may be, it's not the kind of thing I can just walk away from.

http://i43.tinypic.com/2moa4c2.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/2moa4c2.jpg

I couldnt help but laugh at that.

I couldnt help but laugh at that.

oh so clever!

martian luger king has graduated from the technical school of trolls and also has a certificate in narcissism and a certificate of BIG EGO. he also has a certificate in know-it-allness and he has one in never being wrong. he thinks he can insult people by saying they are "gay" which really does nothing.
martian judging from your comments to me like "ilovechronic is narcisistic" and then it turned out to you were the one who was very narcisistic I can now deduce you are probably the one that is homosexual here.
Now go run along and play with your airsoft guns you loser. Are you really on weapons and combat all day dude? seriously get a life. This is not a very active forum so you may want to find something more active.


I am not into that homo shit martian I AM STRAIGHT, sorry.

ilovechronicanalfissure

oh so clever!

martian luger king has graduated from the technical school of trolls and also has a certificate in narcissism and a certificate of BIG EGO. he also has a certificate in know-it-allness and he has one in never being wrong. he thinks he can insult people by saying they are "gay" which really does nothing.
martian judging from your comments to me like "ilovechronic is narcisistic" and then it turned out to you were the one who was very narcisistic I can now deduce you are probably the one that is homosexual here.
Now go run along and play with your airsoft guns you loser. Are you really on weapons and combat all day dude? seriously get a life. This is not a very active forum so you may want to find something more active.


I am not into that homo shit martian I AM STRAIGHT, sorry.

How many times am I going to have to tell you that if you do not respond, the trolls stop?

I wasn't trolling, even though I sometimes do troll (but often my opinion is simply too off of the board and gets designated as trolling simply because of the nature of shitkind) you cannot label everything you do not understand and everything that offends your gigantic ego as "trolling". That is by far the most abused and misused word in the world. I'm quite certain that if a woman is abused every thirteen seconds or so, the word "troll" is abused every thirteen milliseconds.

Let me add something to this thread in order to bring aid to it's massive derailment;

Once upon a time I decided to go out for a walk an hour after midnight. I was thoughtful enough to bring with me my ASP baton (no CCW). Anyway long story short I find myself walking around a storage compound when I see someone sitting on a curb placing something in to their coat. They were clearly homeless or on the brink of it. I decided I didn't even want to get involved so I just veered to the right, in to the street so that I could get back to a more residential part of town. Anyway soon after doing so I here the same guy holler "ay man!!" and suddenly I hear some pretty quick footsteps looming near. When I heard the footsteps I knew I was in deep shit and my "fight-or-flight response" kicked in. It was like stepping over a rattlesnake or some shit. Anyway I IMMEDIATELY whipped out my baton, and cocked my arm back, and spun around like white lightning, striking this motherfucker in his wrist with all of my pivoting might which floored him like a stack of dimes. There's no doubt his wrist was shattered. I looked at him and saw that he had a map in his hand, and realized what a fucking asshole I am. The poor guy couldn't have been but twenty five years of age but he looked weathered, and he was bawling and begging "why". Turns out he just wanted directions. Well I jogged home that night and I've felt really guilty about it ever since.

Personally, I think only race car drivers need seatbelts.


:-/

Personally, I know at least 100 people who in my opinion don't need oxygen .
But its not my place to say...

i had to push some crazy mofo down some stairs once.

I carry a pistol when I'm not at school (because apparently politicians dont see a need for self defense in a university setting...) and fortunately I have never had to use it. I've used a knife once, someone got pissed at me over something incredibly stupid and mundane, and decided the best way to convince me to go along with him was to try and choke me. luckily all I had to do was pull out the knife and be like 'back off or I'll cut you the fuck up' and things didn't escalate past that.

There was one other time I almost needed to get out my pistol, but the problem was solved non violently before it got to the point of needed to use force.

I've used a knife once, someone got pissed at me over something incredibly stupid and mundane, and decided the best way to convince me to go along with him was to try and choke me. luckily all I had to do was pull out the knife and be like 'back off or I'll cut you the fuck up' and things didn't escalate past that.



do you think there could have been the potential for things to get nastier? eg. if he has a knife and agrees to go stab-for-stab?

do you think there could have been the potential for things to get nastier? eg. if he has a knife and agrees to go stab-for-stab?

Of course there was that risk, but my reaction was almost a reflex. It was the only choice that I could come up with in the time I had...