RD, this is addressed to you because I didn't see the
original msg therefore had to reply to your reply.
TR> First, I certainly don't want to start a gun control debate. The
Same here.  But. . .
TR> assault type weapons in certain places. As far as I know, there's
TR> not a place in America that you can't maintain an arsenal of weapons
TR> in your home with enough ammunition to fight World War III. I'm not
TR> aware of anyone being disarmed or even discouraged from buying a
You better check the laws again.  There are several
places in the US where it is illegal to own most if not
all firearms.  Washington, DC is one.  There are even
more where handguns are totally banned, the most
infamous being a suburb of Chicago; Morton Grove.
Speaking of Chicago they passed a law several years ago
forbidding anymore handguns to be registered, which was
one of the biggest reason my father-in-law moved.  Then
you have places where you theoretically can own a
firearm but the hassle and cost of the paperwork
prevents most people from trying.
Those are just the laws covering weapons some places
have limits, restrictions and out right bans on types
of ammo.  These types are usually the ones designed for
self defence.
TR> misc. reasons in certain jurisdictions that the person has a
TR> propensity for violence because of previous actions (i.e. domestic
TR> abuse).
The DV thing is a FEDERAL law and it is retroactive.
IOW, if a person was arrested for DV 20 years before
the law was enacted it still allies to him.
In some places you lose your right to keep your
firearms when an order of protection is issued.  You
don't have to be convicted of anything just accused
because in a lot of places OoPs are issued anytime a
woman request one against her former boyfriend/husband.
TR> Please, let's not start a gun control debate, as that would
TR> violate the written rules of this echo. As far as I know, there is
TR> no jurisdiction where a citizen can't protect himself and his family
TR> in their residence, as long as certain conditions are met. Various
In a lot of these jurisdictions you are required to
retreat if possible, even in your own home.  IOW, if
someone kicks in your front door you have to go out the
back door.  I'm fairly sure Maryland is such a state
(if it hasn't changed).
Also how many gang type attacks take place in the
person's home?  Most are "street crimes" and in over
half of the states (and only heaven only knows how many
counties, cities, towns, etc.) it is illegal to carry a
firearm on the street.
TR> The Charge of the Light Brigade (Citizens) against the local gang
TR> would be against the law. That would be taking the law into your own
True but by allowing the citizens to exercise their
right to bare arms makes the life of a gang member more
hazardous.  If the gang member(s) don't know if the
lady they are about to rob/rape has a firearm under her
jacket they MIGHT not rob/rape her and if they do they
might not succeed.  When was the last time you read a
headline in the paper like this; "Woman armed with
handgun raped!"
Also if she is unarmed and some armed person hears the
commotion they could stop the crime in progress.
Time and time again studies have shown that criminals
in America are much more afraid of an armed civilian
then they are of the cops or justice system.  Studies
also show that areas with high legal firearm ownership
have low crime rates.  And the latest studies have
shown that after enacting a CCW permit or loosening the
requirements for a CCW permit crime rates fall.
TR> hands and becoming vigilantes. However, protection of yourself and
Which hasn't happened in any of the areas that allow
the citizens to exercise their right to bare arms.
TR> your family in your home with a weapon is no problem at all. Armed
Really?  Ever heard of civil suits?  There have been
cases where criminals (or their families) have sued,
and won, home owners who have shot them.
TR> invasion of most homes in America is a very bad mistake, as there
TR> are a ton of very legal guns out there in the hands of folks who
TR> know how to use them. 
Wrong.  AAMOF, the number of home invasions in the US
are increasing.  The reason is the same reason car
jacking became a problem, alarms.  As more and more
homes are wired it becomes harder and harder to break
in to them.  Unless there is someone home who has
turned off the alarm and left the door open.
I have never seen a study but I'm willing to bet that
home invasions are increasing in cities that have
strict gun control laws much faster then in cities with
lax laws.
                      Remember:  Freedom isn't Free!
--- timEd-B11
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