Here is another message that I recieved after the writer saw my web site. Again, it is another intelligent point of view. Here is the letter, in response to seeing the gun section of my web site:

While I agree with most of your sentiments, there is one thing that is often forgotten about the Americans and their perceived fondness for personal firearms. After all the abuse you've endured up to this point in an attempt to present your case, I will understand if you don't read on - but I assure you that I haven't come to attack you or refute your previous statements.

The U.S. Declaration of Independence clearly states that the people are entitled to bring down - by force, if necessary - a government that does not represent their interests. In fact, the War of Independence did just that. By force of arms, not all of which were carried by professional soldiers.

To many Americans, it is not fear of their neighbours that keeps them armed, but fear of their own government. Many believe that the national government wishes to disarm them so that they cannot defend themselves from their own government.

And, while I am reluctant to admit it, they do have a point. A large amount of the gun control debate is about power - at least on both sides in the American debate. Gun owners want all the power they can get to defy the government (should they feel it proves necessary), while the government wants to ensure that its own power (and that of law enforce- ment agencies) isn't goig to be jeopardized by violent threats from the general populace.

I'll admit that it isn't as simple as that on either side of the issue, but it is a factor that can't be ignored, especially in America. Sadly, Americans, like so many of us, seem to be obsessing over their rights in a manner that neglects the responsibilities that should go with them.

If Americans are to be entitled to the right to bear arms (and though I am not comfortable with it, I won't say it's wrong - especially in light of the Declaration of Independence's own sentiments), then they should ALL be required to take the training to handle one responsibly. That is not just a matter of knowing how to use one, but when to use one (and not to use one), and how to store it in a safe manner. It's about having the knowledge to appreciate not just the right, but the responsibility with which you've been charged.

(That is part of the reason that states guarantee the rights of their citizens after all - it better enables them to fulfill their obligations to the state. It's not just the bribe to citizens that most people seem to think it is.)

Another factor in shooting deaths is a lack of security, as you pointed out. A co-worker of mine found that he got in fewer fights after a few years of studying karate. Not because people knew he was taking karate, nor because he'd beaten everyone who'd fight him up - but because he was secure enough in himself that either he didn't feel the need to provoke a fight or he no longer felt the need to respond to every trivial blow to his ego with violence.

And most gun owners aren't learning that sort of confidence. That is what is needed, before one should consider owning a firearm.

I did find it interesting that one person dismissed your accidental deaths by firearms argument by saying that most of those were homocides, as if that proved that firearms made children safer. Maybe a girl beaten to death in Vancouver would have survived last year if Canada had laxer firearm laws and she'd had a gun, but I doubt it. And only one person died in Taber, Alberta because the boy with the gun was persuaded to put down his gun by an unarmed acquaintance, not because others were ready to shoot him at a moment's notice. (Part of the attacker's problem in that case was a feeling of desperation - something that would have only been enhanced by attending school in an armed camp.)

Anyway, I apologize for running on for so long. I hope some of this may prove to be useful in some way for you (though not in a life-or-death situation).

Back to my main page, noframes navigation, or go here if you're missing the left-hand navigation frame!

--
If you enjoyed this page, please contact me at kunoichi@thekeep.org