But by Golly Gum they do speak with a very loud voice then, what on earth happened to democracy? It isn't the loudest voice that should hold the day but the one with the mostest votes? right? Oh wait I forget its the one the with mostest $$$ that speaks the loudest and we all know where the NRA puts their $$$ to work.
I don't think that has anything to do with the point I was trying to make, which is that because of the small number of armed citizens, there obviously are not going to be overwhelming numbers supporting the concept that armed citizens can effectively protect themselves. AND FOR THE RECORD, I am not a member or active supporter of the NRA. So we are alike in that respect.
You seem like an intelligent person who really cares about protecting your family and yet you manage to persist in ignore the fact that carry gun isn't the protection you think it is, may in fact create danger that would not have existed without it, puts your family at risk from an accidental shooting (do you know the statistics on accidental gun deaths? by toddlers?) and that you are far better off being vigilently aware of dangers and making yourself less of a target in that way.
I think that in some cases you may be very correct, but I think the problem is you are applying cookie cutter logic to every single individual and situation. I am OCD safe with my guns, in relation to my child. I also think I am "far better off" being both vigilantly aware of dangers, AND, being armed. That is my opinion.
I think I will abstain from commenting on the whole ocean full of prejudiced comments in that lot.
Yes there are social problems associated with violence. Getting a gun is not any kind of solution to any of them. You'd do more by starting a non-profit to help educate some of those kids and beeing a positive male role model for them. Just enrolling in a 'Big Brother' program will do more than buying a gun.
That is a good point. I personally volunteered with my local Big Brothers chapter mentoring a young guy for the better part of three years. I also am the executive chair of a non profit organization in my community called Community Fatherhood, which helps to promote and support fathers being an active and responsible influence in the lives of their children. These experiences along with my many mis-adventures, friendships and hard learned lessons as a child and a young man have helped form some of my feelings, which are expressed in the above quoted prejudiced thoughts. 
Meadow, I believe very strongly that your opinions and views are exactly the right ones for you. I just don't feel they are all for me. That is not to say that I don't agree with a lot of what you say, it just means I don't think they are applicable to everyone. I also think there are deeper causes for violence in our country that need to be addressed rather than just saying "get rid of guns".
