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There was a discussion going on yesterday about personal rights and your option to exercise those rights vs. having laws in place giving you no options, you do what they tell you.

This specific instance had to do with carrying a concealed handgun, but it extends to all rights as a human.

My personal belief is that having the right gives one the option to do something within the context of the law. It is not mandatory. You do not have to exercise your right, but having options is nice. To have no option and having no choice, then what is the point of having a brain? Being force to have a lobotomy may be the next step because thinkers will then be dangerous.

JMO

Zee

Any thing that we call a victimless crime is an infringement on our rights !!

Once in awhile there's a thread that really interests me and this is one.

I'm with you on rights. Having the right to carry a concealed weapon doesn't mean you have to carry just as having the right to abortion forces no one to have an abortion. It's a matter of choice and it's nice to have that choice.

I think most people are quite capable of making rational decisions for themselves and big government, the religeous far right and other groups need to stay out of one's personal choices.

I think there are plenty of examples in the world of times or places where people were and currently are limited in their choices. If I wish to own or carry a weapon then I wil do it. If a female relative or friend wishes to have an abortion then that's their choice and I would rather see it done in a hospital than a back alley hack shop. And finally, I don't need the church to sanction my value system or my right to divorce. There are simply too many people, organizations etc.. that think they are better suited to make decisions for us. I say no thanks... My head is quite capable of greater functions and is used for much more than a hat rack.

I stand up and applaud you.... you have conveyed my thoughts exactly.

Zee

and what an intelligent head it is

Thanks from a fellow libertarian. Little l, not big L as in the party. I'm just for liberty.

I don't want the far right or the far left, or anything in between for that matter, making my decisions for me. I have a gun, no one's going to take it away from me. I don't carry it anymore, but I have the option if need be. I don't believe in abortion, but I'm not going to take that option away from any woman who feels it's necessary for them.

We either make our own choices, or choose to allow others to do it for us. I personally feel I can make better choices for myself than any government.

Thanks Zee, Darlynda and Bev,

Your comments are appreciated but I had hoped for a little more discussion. I hate being a thread killer..

I legally carry a concealed handgun on a daily basis. I don't take my decision to carry lightly.

I'm not a police officer, a private investigator, a bail bondsman or a bounty hunter. I don't deal with criminals on a daily or professional basis. I'm just an ordinary person.

I don't carry merely because it's my right, although I'm within my rights to do so and I believe that any right not exercised is a right soon lost. I don't carry just because I enjoy firearms and shooting sports, although I do.

I don't carry because I frequent "bad" areas of town, although in this day and age, any area of town can be "bad" at times. Crime can and does happen when you least expect it.

So why do I choose to carry? I carry because ultimately the responsibility for my personal safety and that of my loved ones falls upon me. Not the police, not the government, but solely upon me. I don't go out looking for trouble, in fact, I do my best to avoid trouble. I remain alert and vigilant when in public situations, head upright and scanning my surroundings and aware of what's going on around me.

If you want the wolf to pounce, act like a sheep, blissfully unaware.

When a family member once asked me why I carry a handgun, I replied, "Because I can't carry a policeman". Don't fall into the trap of thinking that the police are there to protect you. They exist to investigate crime after it happens. Look into average 911 response times in your town and tell me the police can get there in time to "protect" you in any immediately life-threatening situation...assuming you have the luxury of enough time to dial the phone.

We all saw how the police "protected" the students at Virginia Tech. That's only one tragic, recent example.

Interviews of hardened violent offenders in prison show a complete lack of fear of the police. But one thing they do fear is coming up against an armed citizen. That's why burglars prefer to target homes and businesses when no one is around.

Statistics show that in every jurisdiction where concealed carry has become legal, violent crime has decreased. Our nation's most violent cities all share a common theme: restrictive gun laws and a population that is not permitted to carry concealed weapons, or in many cases to even own a weapon. An armed society is, indeed, a polite society.

Here's a few simple facts about the average concealed carry permit holder. No felony convictions, ever. No misdemeanor convictions within the past five years. No record of domestic violence. No history of drug or alcohol abuse. No history of mental illness. They pay their taxes, child support and other obligations on time.

They don't just carry their weapon, but they train with it to become proficient with its use. In fact, many have more training and practice with their weapon than the average police officer. They are well aware of the laws regarding use of lethal force. They hope they are never presented with a situation where they will have to draw, much less fire their weapon. And for the vast majority of them, they never will.

And still, every day in this nation a violent crime is thwarted by a legally armed citizen. Every day, a life is saved because a citizen had the tools with which to protect himself. Placing restrictions on law-abiding citizens that make it impossible for them to defend themselves is wrong.

Very well stated

Welcome to the American 21st century - it will be more fascist than Hitler's Germany.

Our phones are already tapped, our emails are sniffed, we are implanting children with IRID's, Google earth can see inside my house, ---- what next?

Have you paid much attention to Obama's Civil Defense force program. He wants people to patrol every neighborhood. Hurray, Now uneducated poor bullies can get paid by the government for their gang activities.

Next we will have the Homeland Department of Gas Coupons or the Urinals that test our piss for substance abuse or vitamin deficiencies.


I hate it all. Can't we just return to a Hobbsian form of Chaos?

I must say that my opinion is slowly changing on this issue of gun possession. Rights and options seem different than they did some months ago.

Again, a great reason for these forums. We can learn from each other.

I think that if people enter into debate with an open mind....wonders can be achieved.








I'll get off my soap box, now

somechick,

Well stated.... you have hit the point exactly.

Zee

we are implanting children with IRID's?

I have not implanted anyone let alone impregnated. I think that if this was really going on some doctor would spill his guts to the press


Google earth can see inside my house?

Do they have the power of superman? I really think not. If you say I am fooling myself... maybe so, but at least I choose not to create false panic.


what next?

Maybe reload another 1000 rounds of ammo.

Zee