To own a gun or not to own a gun?

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Breaking Nassau County News "... There’s been a nearly 111 percent increase in home burglaries in the County during the first six weeks of 2012, according to new crime statistics. Overall, including businesses, the spike is 69 percent..." (Source)

As time passes the question of gun ownership is becoming extremely relevant!

With a stagnant economy, unemployment remaining at stubbornly high levels and prices for the staples necessary to feed your family and to heat your home continuing to rise, the desperation and angst in society is becoming increasingly palpable.

What brings me to reach this somewhat obvious conclusion?

Anecdotal evidence or maybe the fact that a neighborhood not very far from mine in both geographic and socioeconomic terms has had ten home robberies over the past month.

The perpetrators have not been caught so determining the exact reasons for why the crimes were committed or the neighborhood selected cannot be determined.

Were they looking for prescription medicine to feed a habit?

Material goods to sell on the street for drugs?

Was it just for kicks, the thrill or the adrenaline rush?

Or was it to steal something, anything that could be sold in order to get food to feed their hungry family?

Whatever the reason, what is known is that if economic conditions in the United States don't improve these types of crimes may become even more prevalent and the criminals more desperate.

To own a gun or not to own a gun, an anecdote!

A little over two years ago the hypothetical question was asked here about how, based on the following scenario, ones ideology and sociology would effect how a person would react to the ultimate threat on either their own life or the lives of family members.

The Scenario

You're walking down a deserted street with your wife and two small children.. 



Suddenly, an Islamic terrorist with a huge knife comes around the corner, locks eyes with you, screams obscenities, praises Allah, raises the knife, and charges at you. 



You are carrying a Colt Model 1911 45 cal. automatic pistol, and you are an expert shot. 



You have a mere seconds before he reaches you and your family. 
What do you do?

Democrat's Answer: 




Well, that's not enough information to answer the question! 
Does the man look poor or oppressed? 


Have I ever done anything to him that would inspire him to attack? 


Could we run away? 


What does my wife think? 


What about the kids?

Could I possibly swing the gun, like a club and knock the knife out of his hand? 


What does the law, say about this situation? 
Does the pistol, have appropriate safety built into it? 


Why am I carrying a loaded gun anyway, and what kind of message does this send to society and to my children? 


Is it possible he'd be happy with just killing me? 


Does he definitely want to kill me, or would he be content just to wound me? 


If I were to grab his knees and hold on, could my family get away while he was stabbing me? 


Should I call 9-1-1? 


Why is this street so deserted? 
We need to raise taxes, have paint and weed day and make this happier, healthier street that would discourage such behavior. 


This is all so confusing! 
I need to debate this with some friends for few days and try to come to a consensus. 

... 





Republican's Answer: 



BANG! 



Redneck's Answer: 




BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

BANG!

Click..... (Sounds of reloading)

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! 
BANG! BANG! 
BANG! Click

Again, to own a gun or not to own a gun?

Forgetting for a second about the anecdote, as the potential for crime and threats to life, limb and family rises, do ordinary people in ordinary neighborhoods and with ordinary lives pack legal heat as an insurance policy against an attack of some kind?

And if you choose to do so are you sure that you are going to be willing to use it? Nothing will escalate a confrontation faster than pulling a weapon so if you are not prepared to use it then most likely you shouldn't have it. And if your not quite sure if you would be willing to use it, then you still most likely shouldn't have it.

That said the question still remains! If civil and social unrest could be in your future, what steps are you willing and able to take in order to prepare?

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