Another shooting in the USA. Remind me about the reason for having guns again.

jay pettitt on 6/9/2012 at 13:32

Wikipedia to the rescue.

The following Americans successfully shot the government.

Booth (shot and killed by Union Soldiers)
Guiteau (hung)
Czolgosz (electrocuted to death)
Oswald (shot on live TV by a cross gun owning American)

So it looks as though shooting the government is a mixed blessing.

Thirith on 6/9/2012 at 13:39

(Which reminds me, I recently saw a fantastic production of Sondheim's Assassins at the Edinburgh Fringe, where those four feature as protagonists.)

Vivian on 6/9/2012 at 13:49

ok, so far for the necessity of handgun ownership:

1: Shooting Trees: USEFUL UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS (small tree, domestic property).
2: Shooting the Government: DUBIOUS UTILITY (as of yet, no examples considered necessary or popular by majority, and the government has tanks. NB handguns, so probably only useful for assassinations anyway).

which brings us to the thornier point: 3: Shooting Criminals. What are the stats in support of civilians shooting criminals and it being a good thing?

Phatose on 6/9/2012 at 14:45

Er...the whole "Shooting the government" thing missed the very obvious one. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_revolution)

faetal on 6/9/2012 at 14:49

Can't the tree be better dealt with using an axe or chainsaw?

Isn't shooting of the government by gun owners likely to be largely negated by air superiority, armoured infantry and non-lethal gas dispersal though? I don't think you'll get another revolution unless the army sides with the people. So individual gun ownership is kind of negated as a revolutionary function.

Vivian on 6/9/2012 at 14:50

They used muskets though, not automatic pistols.

faetal on 6/9/2012 at 14:53

Also, as an after-thought:

Quote Posted by Subjective Effect

I don't think the practical use of guns outside hunting is really an issue. Shooting at a range is just a luxury, but as far as I'm concerned thats fine.

The range I went to just had their own guns which you could use. I think it would be good to be able to use guns for sport in controlled environments if the guns stay in the controlled area. It's when you have home ownership and right to carry in public is all starts to get a bit creepy.

LarryG on 6/9/2012 at 14:54

And another obvious one: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Civil_War) The American Civil War. And of course any other armed insurrection across the world.

jay pettitt on 6/9/2012 at 14:57

rifled muskets :rolleyes:

And how many more times. The rest of the world isn't America.

Now shush while we decide on your behalf whether or not you shall have guns.

Vivian on 6/9/2012 at 14:57

AUTOMATIC HANDGUNS I AM TALKING ABOUT. Rifles are probably what you are talking about? Question was, what do you need an automatic handgun for?