What to say when people ask "why would you ever need a gun?"

[ghostrider]

Its a safety device just like my motorcycle helmet:

# I hope to never have to use it, but it could save my life.
# If I need it, there is no substitute.

[AEA]

Luby's

[5thGenTexan]

Because the odds of a cop being where you need him to be are NOT good.

[isa268]

Just show them a picture of the Warsaw getto and say "never again".

[Keith]

I don't carry a gun because I'm paranoid.
I carry a gun because there are real threats in the world.

I don't carry a gun because I'm evil.
I carry a gun because I have lived long enough to see the evil in the
world.

I don't carry a gun because I hate the government.
I carry a gun because I understand the limitations of government.

I don't carry a gun because I'm angry.
I carry a gun so that I don't have to spend the rest of my life hating
myself for failing to be prepared.

I don't carry a gun because I want to shoot someone.
I carry a gun because I want to die at a ripe old age in my bed, and
not on a sidewalk somewhere tomorrow afternoon.

I don't carry a gun because I'm a cowboy.
I carry a gun because, when I die and go to heaven, I want to be a
cowboy.

I don't carry a gun to make me feel like a man.
I carry a gun because men know how to take care of themselves and the
ones they love.

I don't carry a gun because I feel inadequate.
I carry a gun because unarmed and facing three armed thugs, I am
inadequate.

I don't carry a gun because I love it.
I carry a gun because I love life and the people who make it meaningful
to me.

Police Protection is an oxymoron. Free citizens must protect themselves.
Police do not protect you from crime, they usually just investigate the
crime after it happens and then call someone in to clean up the mess.


Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to
take an ass whoopin'.
....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

**********************************************
A LITTLE GUN HISTORY


In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. From 1929 to 1953, about
20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
------------------------------

In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
------------------------------

Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945, a total of 13 million Jews and others who were unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated.
------------------------------

China established gun control in 1935. >From 1948 to 1952, 20 million political
dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated
------------------------------

Guatemala established gun control in 1964. >From 1964 to 1981, 100,000
Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
---- ------------- -------------

Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000
Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
------------------------------

Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to 1977, one million
educated people, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
-----------------------------

Defenseless people rounded up and exterminated in the 20th Century because
of gun control: 56 million.
------------------------------

It has now been 12 months since gun owners in Australia were forced by new
law to surrender 640,381 personal firearms to be destroyed by their own Government, a program costing Australia taxpayers more than $500 million dollars. The first year results are now in:


Australia-wide, homicides are up 3.2 percent.

Australia-wide, assaults are up 8.6 percent.

Australia-wide, armed robberies are up 44 percent (yes, 44 percent)!

In the state of Victoria alone, homicides with firearms are now up 300 percent.
Note that while the law-abiding citizens turned them in, the criminals did not,
and criminals still possess their guns!

While figures over the previous 25 years showed a steady decrease in armed
robbery with firearms, this has changed drastically upward in the past 12 months,
since criminals now are guaranteed that their prey is unarmed.

There has also been a dramatic increase in break-ins and assaults of the ELDERLY.
Australian politicians are at a loss to explain how public safety has decreased,
after such monumental effort, and expense was expended in successfully ridding
Australian society of guns. The Australian experience and the other historical facts
above prove it.


You won't see this data on the US evening news, or hear politicians disseminating
this information.

Guns in the hands of honest citizens save lives and property and, yes, gun-control
laws adversely affect only the law-abiding citizens.

Take note my fellow Americans, before it's too late!

The next time someone talks in favor of gun control, please remind them of this
history lesson.

With guns, we are 'citizens'. Without them, we are 'subjects'.


During WWII the Japanese decided not to invade America because they knew most Americans were ARMED!

If you value your freedom, please spread this anti-gun control message to all of your friends.


The purpose of fighting is to win. There is no possible victory in defense. The sword is more important than the shield, and skill is more important than either. The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental.


SWITZERLAND ISSUES EVERY HOUSEHOLD A GUN! SWITZERLAND 'S GOVERNMENT TRAINS EVERY ADULT THEY ISSUE A RIFLE.

SWITZERLAND HAS THE LOWEST GUN RELATED CRIME RATE OF ANY CIVILIZED COUNTRY IN THE WORLD!!!
IT'S A NO BRAINER! DON'T LET OUR GOVERNMENT WASTE MILLIONS OF OUR TAX DOLLARS IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE ALL LAW ABIDING CITIZENS AN EASY TARGET.
I'm a firm believer in the 2nd Amendment!

[LostInAustin]

Great post Keith. Thanks!

[whumble]

Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to
take a whoopin'.
....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

[TDDude]

I've been using the seatbelt example for years. Then I remind them that cars won't pass a state inspection without them. Manufacterers can't sell a car without them. Airbags add several thousand dollars to the cost of a car and the huge majority will never be used.

Next I ask if and why they lock their doors.

If I KNEW that I would be in a wreck that day I would stay home. I certainly wouldn't drive to the spot where the wreck takes place.

If I KNEW that I was to be the victim of a home invasion, I'm not really sure what I would do. But it could involve anything from staying away that day (probably not), to getting better door locks, to pre-digging a couple holes in back of the garage. Most certainly it would mean getting my family out of the house first.

With family, (Mom) I simply explain that I live in Houston and there are places I'm required to go that can be just plain dangerous. That always gets a knowing look of approval. I never explain that those places include the CVS that is next door, or to church, or to the nearby Krogers or even traveling to my hometown.

Since very few people know I carry a gun, I rarely get questioned. But it's wise to have the answer ready.

[C-dub]

Just read the paper or watch the news.

[ammo two]

Great post Keith. Thanks!

Gotta agree, that is interesting to read.

[eyesoftexas]

My response depends on whether or not I'm feeling pithy.

Not pithy:
I refuse to leave my family's well-being at the mercy of someone else's good will for them (or, more accurately, the lack of it). YMMV.

Pithy:
Guns are like parachutes -- if you need one and you ain't got one, you'll never need one again.

[TexasGal]

This was posted on another forum. I think it is one of the most convincing things you could show to a person who asked why you should carry. If it did not convince them or at least make them understand why you do, I don't know what would. Warning, don't play this with kids in the room. It's scary.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nu5j8C2H ... re=related

[KD5NRH]

I might need it to pistol whip someone who keeps asking dumb questions

[E10]

It isn't a matter of need. It's a matter of civil rights. I carry a gun because I can - the Second Amendment to the US Constitution and the laws of the State of Texas both confirm my right to do so. I don't have to justify it, just as I don't have to justify my right to practice the religion of my choice, or speak my mind, or peaceably assemble, or petition the government. The right to keep and bear arms is no less important than any of the other rights enumerated in the first ten amendments. I carry for the same reason I know I am free from quartering soldiers in my house without my consent, free from unreasonable search and seizure, free from double jeopardy and self-incrimination, and entitled to due process and just compensation if my property is taken for public use, &c., &c.

Of course, I can go on through the entire Bill of Rights, but you get my drift. The inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (had it not been for slavery, the third would have been 'property', but I digress) include the right to defend ourselves, and the right to have readily at hand the means to do so.

[Keith]

Video says it all!!!