If you don't mind, I'd like to get into this thread.  I no longer own a 
firearm, and perhaps I could shed some light on this.
 JP> The interesting question is:  **WHY** doesn't he want to own a gun?
  There could be many reasons.  Everything from a physical disability that 
restricts strength and range of motion to a mental block that won't allow him 
to pick one up.  Society and the Press has drilled it into peoples heads for 
so long, I know several people who start shaking uncontrollably at the sight 
of a real weapon.
 JP> Does he think he doesn't need one because the police will protect him?
  Although that is the job of the police, "To serve and protect", if he 
believes that, he should realize that it takes anywhere from 5-75 minutes for 
police to arrive on the scene.  If anything does happen, they will arrive in 
time to gather forensic evidence.  That, and the way the police are starting 
to get, owning a weapon makes them consider you armed and dangerous, whether 
or not you could possibly have it one you.  I realize that there are good 
police out there, but lately all I've seen are swaggering bullies that hide 
behind their shields.  But the most important thing for that person to 
remember, is that the laws protect the criminal more that the victim, and it 
does not seem as if Lady Justice really cares about Punishment anymore.
 JP> Is he a pacifist, who believes it is more ethical to allow someone else
 JP> to kill him rather than kill another human being himself?
  If those are his beliefs, than more power to him.  If he is able to 
overcome or lacks that primal survival urge in him, than I really am not sure 
if want him in the gene pool anyway.  Pacifism should not be confused with 
stupidity.  Pacifism was taught to me that force is not used excessively or 
with joy, but in a carefull and restrained manner.  Act first only to keep 
yourself from being destroyed, and as a last resort, but when you do act, use 
sufficent force to stop you opponent, after all, your life is more precious 
to you than it is to your opponenet or your opponent's life is to you.
 JP> If he truly understands that the 2nd Ammendment *AIN'T** about hunting
 JP> and target shooting, that it's intended to keep the government in line,
 JP> and he chooses NOT to own a gun himself, what does that say, Nolan?
 JP> That, he, himself, would not put his OWN life on the line and oppose
 JP> tyranny?
  Owning weapons is NOT opposing government tyranny at this moment, but 
instead, giving the government a way to round us up and "legally" get rid of 
anyone who could face them and possibly has the drive and will to defeat the 
m.
  Now, I do own a pistol or a rifle any longer.  I was reported to CPS by a 
"upstanding citizen" for owning a firearm and having an infant.  Despite the 
fact that the firearms in question were a M-1911A1 and a M-1 Carbine 
rechambered to fit both 7.62 NATO and 7.62 Sov, and both were in a triple 
locked gun cabinet, it was decided that the children were in danger, and it 
was get rid of the weapons or lose my kids.
  I love my children more than I love my weapons, and four jack booted thugs 
standing in my home with some old crone telling me to lose my weapons really 
did not give me any options.  I turned my weapons over to the men in boots 
and recieved a reciept.  Then I promptly packed my things, gathered up my 
family and moved, since I discovered that the owning of a firearm labeled me 
a "unstable and dangerous individual with violent tendencies." in official 
documents.
  Would I lay down my life in defense against tyranny?  I have, but even 
though I refuse to quit, I know when to give up.
  I choose not to own weapons right now, worried more about my family than my 
pride, but make no mistake, when the time is right, or circumstances warrant, 
I will defend my family against tyranny.  I also choose not to own a weapon 
so as to aviod the harrasment that seems to plaque honest citizens who obey 
the law and register their weaponry.  And just because I don't own one, does 
not mean I can not lay my hands on, or fabricate weaponry.
  I am not a pacifist, despite my teachings, nor do I ask others to do what I 
am not willing to do myself, but I do not own a weapon right now because 
doing so would be more harmfull than not owning one.
  Perhaps that will clear things up.
    Mike
... ....Another Fine Message From The Shooting Gallery.......
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