The AR-15: Americans' Best Defense Against Terror and Crime

[ylee]

Originally Posted by ajdo

Such a rediculously statement ! It's like saying "who has not lived here is the US IS AN IDIOT and could not understand the American life". Guns have existed way before the US were even on the map, 13th century or so.

Anyway, my point here is not whether one should own (war) guns in their home or not, it's the viral video above has nothing to do with Guns and Sports but a Gut-Wrenching Politicized Propaganda video. If you want to hear such propaganda on daily basis, listen to Rush Limbaugh or open a Rush L. link on AA with a link to his radio station.

The topic should stay but video should go !

Douglas was quoting me, so let me proffer that I speak as an immigrant and can offer multiple perspectives. Having lived in Asia as a child I was raised in a crowded country where a sense of hierarchy is strong and authority is accepted with less aversion and skepticism. When the government (which is freely elected in the country I was born in) states an initiative people tend to follow. America on the other hand is strongly individualistic and we have a flat social hierarchical structure when it comes to interpersonal relating. Also, while guns have existed for a long time prior to America's existence, most cultures evolved before the invention of firearms. In America's case this country was born in part because its people had guns. Combine this with wide open spaces and a strong sense of self-determination especially for people who live in rural areas. One of the things that arise out of this is America's gun culture. I am not saying Americans are inherently superior for having guns. But what I'm writing is my assessment of why Americans are extremely reluctant to give up our rights to own weapons despite paying a heavy price for that right. This explanation in and of itself I don't think is controversial. We are still a young country and its people are fiercely individualistic. This is not a value statement.

[Jack in Wilmington]

Originally Posted by essjay

Australia used to suffer mass shootings using automatic weapons like the AR15 until the government cracked down on them, by banning them. Since Port Arthur there has been exactly zero mass shootings using weapons like this.

I agree the ban did stop lawful owners having some fun at the range or chasing piggies around the paddock but we saved countless lives by agreeing to the ban.

There is much more I could say but its pointless, especially on AA where moderation is quite heavy handed.

I just hope that you guys all make a decision soon thats based on common sense about the types of guns a person may own before more innocent people lose their lives.

You can defend yourself using a glock 9 etc..., but there is no place for guns designed for war nlike the AR15, SKS etc.. in the home.

That's what I say. If you think you need any assault weapon at home for protection, you need to move.

[ajdo]

Originally Posted by ylee

Douglas was quoting me, so let me proffer that I speak as an immigrant and can offer multiple perspectives. Having lived in Asia as a child I was raised in a crowded country where a sense of hierarchy is strong and authority is accepted with less aversion and skepticism. When the government (which is freely elected in the country I was born in) states an initiative people tend to follow. America on the other hand is strongly individualistic and we have a flat social hierarchical structure when it comes to interpersonal relating. Also, while guns have existed for a long time prior to America's existence, most cultures evolved before the invention of firearms. In America's case this country was born in part because its people had guns. Combine this with wide open spaces and a strong sense of self-determination especially for people who live in rural areas. One of the things that arise out of this is America's gun culture. I am not saying Americans are inherently superior for having guns. But what I'm writing is my assessment of why Americans are extremely reluctant to give up our rights to own weapons despite paying a heavy price for that right. This explanation in and of itself I don't think is controversial. We are still a young country and its people are fiercely individualistic. This is not a value statement.

I understand your point of view, I also lived in many parts of the worlds as well.
It was the far-west in Europe and the rest of the developed world way before the far-west existed in the US of A. Individual gun owning protection was replaced by what we call in the developed world "Police". Is the police perfect in any developed country, no! Can anyone stop every lone woof or groups of fanatics who want to be on Facebook or CNN, I don't think so. People kill with kitchen knives these days so why should we not all wear baionnette and swords on daily basis ? Because we chose to live in "society" and agree to let the police defend us inside the country and militaries outside, we even pay taxes for this. The far-west is long gone, deal with it ! I personally have no issue with owning guns to use as a sport. When terrorist on NoFly list can by military or "any" type of gun for that matter, one wonders where our values stands as Americans! If these people could only by kitchen knives they would still be able to strick but with much less casualties.

[BuffaloBill]

AR-15 with red dot scope is my choice for home defense. I want to have the advantage on the bad guys, nothing less than equal footing. Why move when many robbers target exclusive neighborhoods. Not complex, not emotional, just common sense.

[Mikado463]

Originally Posted by Robert_Anderson

This is a complex and emotional issue, and not entirely in the spirit of AA topics.
.

Robert, that's why it's in the shooting sports section ! nothing wrong with emotion IMO, after all many on here express it in the various other 'sub topics' with in the forum !

Originally Posted by ariess

Against my better judgement I'll throw in two cents.

I totally get that there are many gun owners who are responsible and careful, that their ownership is for self defense and that it has saved them before.

However, let's accept at face value for the sake of discussion the analyses which show that a gun in the home is more often misused in a domestic abuse, suicide, argument ender, etc than for self defense. That means it's like Casino gambling. You might win, but odds are most will lose.
I wonder why most gun owners feel their gun will be used only to save them if the data shows it's more likely to bring them or someone they love harm?

My own related experience was my Dad had a 45 in his night table drawer for defense for many years. The only time it was sought was when he developed dementia and my mom and ultimately the police had to wrestle it away. We were lucky that time nobody was shot.
I'd wager this kind of experience is more common than gun owners expect.

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado

many other uses for our firearms other than defense, myself, along with others here have hunted and competed in a variety of shooting sports. I do not own an AR-15 or variant thereof but respect the right of those who do lawfully.

[Front242]

Check out "Who Here Owns EBR's (Evil Black Rifles)" on this forum.

It looks to me like guys who have already gotten Stillpoints for their Sub Zero refrigerator and are running out of things to buy move to assault rifles as another form of man-jewelry.

[gtubes]

Love it for home defence, but have some diapers handy, turn the lights on in your living room with this pointed at the offender and he'll be sure to shit his pants!

[Douglas]

Is the US really such a dangerous place that people feel the need to arm themselves to the teeth....suddenly I feel very lucky living in Cape Town , South Africa.

[ajdo]

Originally Posted by Douglas

Is the US really such a dangerous place that people feel the need to arm themselves to the teeth....suddenly I feel very lucky living in Cape Town , South Africa.

+1

[BuffaloBill]

"Is the US really such a dangerous place that people feel the need to arm themselves to the teeth....suddenly I feel very lucky living in Cape Town , South Africa."


theguardian: South Africa 'a country at war' as murder rate soars to nearly 49 a day

A total of 17,805 murders were committed from April 2014 to March 2015 as authorities struggle to stem violent crime
South African police officers in Cape Town
South African police officers try to contain a protest against the lack of policing in Masiphumelele, Cape Town. Photograph: Nic Bothma/EPA
Agencies in Johannesburg
Tuesday 29 September 2015 13.26 EDT Last modified on Tuesday 29 September 2015 18.27 EDT
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South Africa’s murder rate has jumped 4.6% in the past year, with almost 49 people killed every day.

A total of 17,805 murders were committed from April 2014 to March 2015, an increase of 782 deaths from the year before in a population of 54 million.

The government admitted authorities were struggling to tackle the problem, but said the 10-year trend showed a decline in overall crime. Opposition parties and analysts criticised the numbers and said there was a lack of clear strategy to bring crime under control.


Violent protests erupt in Cape Town district - in pictures
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The murder figures, which have risen each year from a low of 15,554 in 2011-12, reflect a reversal of what many had hoped was a long-term progress in reducing violent crime.

“17,805 is a number I would expect from a country at war,” said Dianne Kohler Barnard, shadow police minister of the main opposition, Democratic Alliance.

Armed robberies, carjackings and burglaries also increased, showing the country “lacks clear strategies to reverse this dangerous trend”, Gareth Newham, of the Institute for Security Studies thinktank, said.

“That robberies have increased raises questions about the extent to which police resources are being effectively used. With some of the best technology in the world, and more than 194,000 personnel, the South African police service should be better able to reduce crimes such as robbery.”

The police minister said South Africa needed “to tackle the violence within our communities”. “To think we can resolve the issue of murder on our own is effectively just hallucination in a sense, because it’s a social problem. It’s a problem that’s got to be tackled at the level of family units,” Nathi Nhleko said.