Why do so many US citizens have guns?

1. 65

   maddotposted 12 years ago

   Why do so many US citizens have guns?
   
   Please don't answer that it's your constitutional right;  it may be in your constitution but you have a choice - to own a gun or not own a gun. So why do so many US citizens choose to own a gun when you regularly see the horrors that result from gun ownership.

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2. 65

   MarcoMarksposted 12 years ago

   The only horrors resulting from gun ownership is the ILLEGAL ownership and criminal use of them.  And that's the reason so many US citizens MUST LEGALLY own them - to protect themselves and loved ones against ILLEGAL users.  The rule of the social jungle today is that you must have equal or larger defensive power to protect yourself against the evils of this world - in other words "survival of the most powerful."  If you can't see that, you're a pacifist just waiting to be violated.  If you believe anything other than the way the jungle actually is, you have been severely misled by an anti-gun media and anti-gun groups who regularly lie, misinterpret statistics for their own selfish gain, and push a Liberal agenda.   If you think the police will be able to help you in a violent attack, calculate that an attack takes less than one minute and it would take more than 5 minutes for the fastest police response.  You could be dead for 4 minutes before they get there.
   
   My brother saved himself and his retail employee from an armed robbery by having a legally-carried licensed handgun to take down a prison inmate who had only been out for 3 months.  A shopping mall near me was shot up by a gang and one guy in the parking lot was killed on Christmas Eve.  My wife and I had planned on going there during that time but decided against going because of street traffic.  Don't think I wouldn't have used my concealed weapon to save us and take out the shooter(s) if possible.  If more citizens had the guts to carry concealed the rate of violent crime in this country would drop more than 75%.
   
   We are surrounded with scores of sociopaths who feel no guilt when committing violent crimes, including murder, so we MUST carry protective lethal weapons or remain gullible willing victims.  Every state with concealed carry licensing has seen a 25% or more drop in violent crime since beginning their concealed carry programs.  Today only Illinois is stupidly holding out and forcing their citizens  to remain walking pigeons just waiting to be raped, robbed, carjacked, and killed.

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3. 78

   LVidoni5posted 12 years ago

   I can only speak for myself, but I own a gun because I enjoy going to my parents house in the country and using it for sport. I shoot targets and stumps, those sorts of things. We also enjoy shooting clay pigeons from a thrower with my dad's shotgun. On that note, there are lot of hunters in the US that have tags for elk, deer, geese, duck, etc. So in conclusion I would say sport shooting, hunting, and home security are the top reasons so many Americans own guns.

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4. 88

   BizGenGirlposted 12 years ago

   This hub is an answer to a question posted in the answers section, from a querent who wanted to know why so many U.S. Citizens own guns, when there are so many horrible things that happen involving gun violence.
   I have decided to post my response... read more

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5. 53

   Greyaxeposted 12 years ago

   Maddot, you in essence have answered your own question, has violent crime not gone up in Australia since the ban on legally owned handgun and semi-auto longguns. As the old bumper sticker says and as England and much of Europe and Mexico has found when guns are outlawed only outlaws will have them.  The sociopaths that have weapons for the most part did not obtain them legally and those that did are a fairly small number. But yes I do own firearms for protection, hunting and competitive shooting.  I have taught 2 sons, my wife, several ex girlfriends over the years and proud to say hundreds of soldiers how to shoot and in a few years will help my sons teach their children firearm safety and shooting.  I pray that none of them ever have to use a weapon against another human being but I want them to have the knowledge and the ability to be able to do so.  When seconds count the police are only minutes away.  By the way the Second Amendment doesn't pertain just to firearms, it is the "right to bear arms".  People seem to be confused by that but yes it is an inalienable right a right that we feel does not come from the government and that the government can not take away.  So your government has taken something from you that was not theirs to take.  Ponder that and instead of asking why we own firearms ask why you don't, as the criminals take over your cities.

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6. 65

   maddotposted 12 years ago

   Americans, guns and constitutional rights is a smoking issue. Any questioning of the issue gets the blood pressure going and the insults flying. Why Americans are so attached to guns is one of life's mysteries. In this article, while the massacres continue in the USA, gun lovers reveal their reasons for owning  a gun or guns. read more

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7. 89

   mcrawford76posted 12 years ago

   It is my belief that if EVERY American household had firearms that there would no longer be a need to use them.
   
   P.S. I own a Winchester 12 gauge pump action shotgun, and would not hesitate to use it on anyone who came in my home with the intent of harming my family.

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8. 60

   smzclarkposted 12 years ago

   because they need to protect themselves from all the US citizens that have guns, that's why :-)

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9. 61

   ringlawncareposted 12 years ago

   Personally speaking--I think people are scared! Scared because of all the media attention of the past 20 years! Gang violence, terrorists, etc. I really do believe we don't know how to fight with our fists anymore.
   
   I understand we need law and order, and people need to hunt, but what else would you really need a gun for?
   
   Of course there are many arguments: sexual assaults, robbed, or car jacked it is understandable. Are we that insecure or unaware of our surroundings that we actually feel we need a gun for our protection? How fast would one be to react to a situation mentioned above that a gun would be justified?

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10. 60

    Dubuquedogtrainerposted 12 years ago

    I think it is a part our heritage - cowboys, ya' know. Also, men like them just because they are men and men tend to like guns as well as hunting. I guess a man would have to say why men are so attracted to guns and hunting. Women tend to like shopping - same thing, except no one usually dies! However, some women like hunting and some men like shopping! Guns can come in a variety of models and collectors and war buffs find them interesting. Also, in this country, because of our culture (and our constitutional right) we tend to think of guns as a way of defending ourselves if necessary. I know how to shoot a gun and am a certified sharpshooter but have absolutely no interest in shooting anything living. Everyone's different, but in this country people just like guns and want to own them.

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11. 79

    Jack Burtonposted 11 years ago

    this is a good question. I have also wondered about similar questions. Such as:
    
    Why do so many people wear seal belts in their car when we regularly see the horrors that car accidents can do?
    
    Why do so many people have small fire extinguishers in their home when we regularly see the horrors that home fires can do?
    
    Why do so many people lock their doors at night when we regularly see the horrors that home break-ins can do?
    
    Why do so many people put surge protectors on their computers when we regularly see the horrors that lightning strikes can do?

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    1. 65

       maddotposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       and your point is?

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    2. 79

       Jack Burtonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       That maddot can't fathom the "point" tells us everything we need to know about why he has to ask such questions about gun ownership.

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