In Just 3 Months Americans Bought enough Guns to Outfit the Entire Chinese and Indian Armies

February 14, 2008. 20-year-old Daniel Parmenter, Catalina Garcia, also 20, Ryanne Mace, 19, Julianna Gehant, 32, and Gayle Dubowski, 20, were killed yesterday when a 27-year-old gunman opened fire in a lecture hall with a shotgun and two handguns. Police say that 54 shots were fired. He had to stop in order to reload.

February 12, 2008. Lawrence King, a 15-year-old eighth grader, was shot in the head during class at E.O. Green Junior High in Oxnard, Calif. It's hard to say to the family of Lawrence, who died yesterday, that it could have been worse -- it could have, as there were 20 other children in the classroom.

February 7, 2008. Christi Layne, a fifth-grade teacher, was shot and stabbed by her estranged husband as her students watched. Thankfully, Layne is recovering, and the husband took his own life before being apprehended by police. Why include this in the list? It could have been a whole lot worse.

December 13, 2007. Chandrasekhar Reddy Komma and Kiran Kumar Allam, two Ph.D. students at Louisiana State University, were killed on LSU's campus.

December 5, 2007. Gary Scharf, 48, Beverly Flynn, 47, Angie Schuster, 36, Dianne Trent, 53, John McDonald, 65, Gary Joy, 56, Maggie Webb, 24, and Janet Jorgensen, 66, were killed as they shopped and worked in the Von Maur department store in the Westroads Mall in Omaha, Neb. McDonald was survived by a wife, two children and seven granddaughters; Jorgensen left behind a husband, three children and eight grandchildren. The shooter disregarded Westroads' strict policy against bringing weapons into the mall.

April 20, 1999. Two students shot and killed twelve classmates and a teacher at Columbine High School in Colorado. The high school was secured by a Gun-Free School Zone designation, but Dylan Klebold, one of the two shooters, intently followed Colorado concealed-carry legislation and actually carried out the massacre on the very day that the state legislature was to vote on the bill.

February 12, 2007. Five shoppers where shot and killed by an 18-year-old Bosnian immigrant at Seattle's Trolley Square Mall before Kenneth Hammond, an off-duty police officer who defied the mall's strict anti-gun policy by carrying a weapon while eating with his pregnant wife, heard the shots from across the mall, ran toward the gunfire, and cornered and traded shots with the gunman until SWAT team members killed him. Hammond saved countless lives, but not before 16-year-old A.J. Walker was injured with a gunshot wound to his head and 15-year-old Kirsten Hinckley lay among the dead.

October 16, 1991. A gunman drove his truck into the Luby's Cafeteria in Killeen, Texas and killed 23 people before taking his own life. He had reloaded several times and still had remaining ammunition when he killed himself. One woman, who watched both her mother and father be killed right in front of her, normally kept a gun in her purse but, wary of breaking Texas law, had left it in her vehicle in the parking lot of the cafeteria. Four years later and as a direct result of the massacre, Texas became a shall-issue state

July 18, 1984. 21 people were gunned down in a San Ysidro, Calif. McDonald's restaurant by a 41-year-old man who told his wife that he was "hunting humans." The ages of the victims ranged widely: 74, 69, 62, 45, 31, 31, 25, 23, 22, 21, 19, 19, 19, 18, 18, 18, 11, 11, 11, 9, and eight months old.

What is it going to take before we finally realize that only law-abiding citizens abide by the laws? How many more people have to die at the hands of sick, twisted individuals before we wake up and realize that the police, for all that they do and for all that they put on the line every day, cannot be where we need them at all times? How many more parents must grieve over the loss of their children before we understand that schools are prime targets for these people that want to make a statement, simply because of the knowledge that they are the only ones with the guns, that all of the power is theirs?

J_Jammer said, "The police are trained, people like you are not."

When your life is on the line and seconds count, the police are only three minutes away.

Also, all gun owners must go through training to even receive a permit.

I guess I am behind the curve here...but whoever said a liberal is a person who thinks people should not own guns, and a conservative is one who thinks everyone should own a gun?
I own a gun, several in fact. I target shoot. Since it seems I need to put a tag on myself, I guess I am a liberal in my way of thinking that we are all in this together and we each owe something to the other.
Does it make me a conservative to say that I own a gun(s)?
Many Americans own guns. The Second Amendment grants that to us, should we choose to exercise that right.
It does not make Americans criminals. It does not mean that this country is less safe because so many people own guns, or not.
Check the numbers. It is estimated that there are over 27 million guns in this country owned by its citizens. The crime rate by gun, when figuring in the amount of guns in the public sector, is a fraction of a percent.
There are other weapons and other numbers, but they are not in this thread.
If a person does not want to own a gun, it is their right. As it is a right to own one.
And for some people out there who think those that do not own a gun are cowards, perhaps you need look up the word coward and brave in the dictionary.

Guns are can't do anything to stop anthrax.

Terrorists at this point aren't going to use guns, they are going to use biological agents.

I Don't own a gun yet but I plan on getting one. Try calling the police and see how long it takes them to get to you. The sad truth is in America criminals will always have access to weapons, and even if someone came after me with a knife I am not sure if I could win. The day that mentally stable law abiding Americans can not own some type of gun is the day we are all screwed. I am not saying that every American has the right to own an assault rifle or that the process for obtaining a weapon is perfect, but the only way the government can protect you all the time is if you live in a police state, and at that point gun control is the least of our problems.

This is what happens when politicians don't think of the repercussions of their laws prior to making them.

One fatal flaw of the founding fathers is this. They practically wrote into their beginning of a country the end of it as well. How poetic.

Then every single politician thereafter could careless. Instead of trying to keep it under control they have the bright idea of doing the extreme...just take it. Ok that's not going to work.

The amount of stupid that is woven in to this is just astronomical. A perfect storm.

Why would anyone want to invade the US with guns?

It's so much easier and far more effective to invade us with goods! (or oil, hint, hint)

D'oh! Economic war, and we are really vulnerable right now.

(Yeah, I know -- I've been quite lately -- It's the new Current.com layout -- It's really a turn-off for me)

I don't think the people having guns and ammo will prevent Obama and his ilk from taking over this country and destroying freedom. Some will fight but without organization and a lot of planning it will be very difficult for an individual to defeat a police raid much less a military operation. That said, what firearms are about is freedom.
Some here refer to gun owners as "cowards" whereas the exact opposite is true. Those who do not wish to take responsibility for their safety, the safety of their families or the security of the Constitution and chose, instead, to rely on the largess of the state for this are cowardly, gutless pansies. They have no morals, no standards and do not deserve to live in a free society. Statism (liberalism) is a good place for them. I have nothing but contempt for those who wish to oppress the rest of us under the guise of "safety".

Oh, Fallen Morgan, I believe that was Kennesaw, Georgia. Everyplace that has strict gun control also has the dubious distinction of having a higher crime rate than most other places with lesser controls. Ironically, these same places with stronger restrictions on freedom are generally liberal (Democrat) enclaves. Yes, liberalism is a mental disorder.

I wonder if the "Don't mess with me I got guns" guys ever realize how childish instead if he-man they sound. Don't worry, I won't mess with you. I'll stay way away from you.

Fuck it I don't need a gun and I guarantee you I don't live in a 'safer' neighborhood than you.

This country will fall with out a single shot fired.
Firearms are not the weapons of the war on America.
They're hitting us where it really hurts. Our wallets.
America will fall because of the massive debt she has accrued. She can barely make the interest payments now, when she can no longer make them the big money people will call in the debt and America will do what ever she is told.

Thanks jh.

Everyone, type "Kennesaw" into Wikipedia. In 1982 they passed a law requiring every homeowner (I say that instead of "head of household," sounds too old fashioned) to own a gun.

Crime dropped 89%. Their crime rate is still lower than the surrounding towns.

the Gun related crimes and murder title goes to South Africa
more than 3x that of the US
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_mur_wit_fir-crime-murders-with-firearms

What makes me feel safe is having a good relationship with the people in my neighborhood . A gun would actually make me feel less safe because I have a child . Kids are naturally curious .... and impulsive . More guns means more nutters getting a hold of guns , and that hasn't historically been good .

I remember hearing about a town in Texas that passed a law requiring everyone to own a gun. Crime suddenly dropped.

To tell the truth, I didn't believe that this story would get this much attention. Then again, most of you are liberal, so I should have seen it coming.

Anyway, here's my 2 cents worth.

The modern American who buys a firearm for self-protection is saying, "I recognize that life involves danger, and by owning a weapon I accept my responsibility to protect myself and those who are entitled to my protection-- my wife/husband, children, parents, and perhaps friends and neighbors." An American who shoots at targets for recreation is practicing a form of self-discipline similar to kyudo (Japanese archery). If you are attacked by a criminal, it is the person with the armed-citizen mindset who is more likely to call the police. If you're in a car accident, this is the person who is more likely to stop and give first aid if possible, or else call an ambulance for you. The antigun activist is likely to look the other way, like the New Yorkers did when Kitty Genovese was stabbed to death. They didn't want to get involved, not even to the extent of picking up a telephone. More recently, a cab driver was attacked and robbed in the presence of dozens of New Yorkers, of whom not one called the police. You could probably bleed to death on a New York sidewalk while dozens of people walked past; these are the same people who parade in the Million Mom March and elect mayors and governors who enact handgun bans.

Many antigun activists are saying, "I do not want to recognize that life involves danger. I deserve to live in a protected environment, and I should not have to think about protecting myself, my spouse, my parents, my children, or my neighbors. This is the 21st century, and violence simply should not happen." It's the same mindset that went with the "ban the Bomb" movements of the 1970s and 1980s; they wanted to legislate the Bomb out of existence and pretend that nuclear war couldn't (and can't) happen. The mice voted to put a bell on the cat so they'd be safe. It all goes with dodging and avoiding responsibility, and the moral (and often physical) cowardice that goes with this mindset. Placing responsibility for violence on the inanimate object (the gun or the Bomb) instead of on people goes with it.

A gentleman was once defined as one who would rather be a dead lion than a live louse (or rabbit). It is really easier, though, to be a live lion than a live rabbit. Xenophon's The Persian Expedition says, "...the people whose one aim is to keep alive usually find a wretched and dishonorable death, while the people who, realizing that death is the common lot of all men, make it their endeavor to die with honor, somehow seem more often to reach old age and to have a happier life when they are alive." So it is with antigun activists and gun rights supporters. The former seek safety in ineffective laws and "this is how the world ought to be," and they find no safety; the latter look to themselves for security, and they are secure. Xenophon's Ten Thousand heeded his advice and most came safely home to Greece. Ronald Reagan and George Bush won the Cold War, not by trying to ban the Bomb, but by looking it in the face.. We, the supporters of the Second Amendment, are Xenophon's disciples, and that is why we will win; the lions will beat the rabbits every time.

No we would all be better off if no one had a gun.

But if there are at least 2 guns in this world, I want to have one of them.

What makes me feel safe is having a good relationship with the people in my neighborhood . A gun would actually make me feel less safe because I have a child . Kids are naturally curious .... and impulsive .

Cmon everyone wed be even safer if everybody had a gun!

/sarcasm

i bought the ammo .have been shooting guns since i
was a kid i dont think it makes me a coward.as far as
fighting the military i dont think it will come to that.
most of the gun sales come from people that are afraid
the goverment is going to ban sales it was a pure panic.
i do think when you consider how many guns are in america the violence is a small percentage and its
not your right wing americans doing it.

From anyone who thinks they want to take it.

and you do the entire world a favor and don't reproduce.

Hey mall dude...
Defend what's yours from what? go join the military if you're so eager to defend whatever it is you wana defend...and to the death...freak

Do your country a favor "loose your gun rambo"

Being properly armed does not mean you are a coward. Actually it is the exact oppisite, I am ready willingly and able to defend what is mine. To the death.
Anyone unwillingly to do this is a coward.

Firearms are one of the few things still primarily made in America. Plus more people are getting involved and trying to protect themselves. Maybe people are wising up to politicians that try to promise security but only provide more restraints for the average person. I've talked to many who have made their first firearms purchase and they say that they feel relieved that they have a means of protecting themselves. My mother and sister have both received concealed weapons permits. My neighbor and his wife along with many others I associate with.

Not long ago I received a phone call from an ex, while I was with her I asked for her to get her license and she did (very reluctant at first). Come to find out she told me of a situation she just had with a man that followed her to her car and tried to get in She pulled the gun out of the glove compartment and the guy ran off. She was still shaky at her home, but she thanked me for dragging her to those classes. She said that she didn't know what she would have done without it.

That's a sad state to be in...feeling insecure and unsafe, thus turn coward!!!

i wonder if they feel any safer? i don't.

"So it's not surprising then that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

-Barack Obama

When he said it, they tried to skin him for it. The truth hurts.

This comes to no surprise since our country is by far the leader in gun related crimes and murder!

Can't we go back to the days of challenging someone to a duel with rapiers when they insult or injure us?

Smith & Wesson was $20 per share in Nov.07, bottomed at $2.50, and is now back to $5. Time to get on the bullet train?

cool!

I did my part. With ammo anyway. Don't need any more guns.