New Poll - What describes your view on Firearms - Honesty.

[srothstein]

So you have no problem with your daughter getting on an airplane where most of the other passengers are secretly members of Al Qaeda (who were born here and are US citizens) and who are carrying H&K MP-5's, right?

So, how would I know if they were al Qaeda or not if it was secret?

Sure, most of the other passengers are armed to the teeth as well. And if the Al Qaeda folks tried any funny business, the other passengers, armed citizens for the most part, would make quick work of them.

So that would be OK with you, right?

How about if your daughter and granddaughter were aboard?

Do you think it wouldn't cross Al Qaeda's mind to run ops like that if anyone could carry any gun anywhere?

If so, why would you think that?

Well, it would not bother me. One reason is because my daughter would be armed and she would do her best to help them meet their maker if they did anything. I do believe the rest of the passengers would also help her, and I find it hard to believe al Qaeda would truly be the majority on the plane.

I seriously believe that if everyone carried, there would be a spike in shootings for a short time, then a new set of rules of etiquette would quickly emerge and we would have a much politer society. We would have fewer criminals, fewer idiots, and fewer people who have trouble controlling their emotions. I see this as a good thing.

[frankie_the_yankee]

I can't help but notice that you have taken one group in one scenario, and taken it to the most extreme end imaginable.

If there were no restrictions, I have no doubt that AQ would run ops like that all day long.

Before 9/11, ramming airliners into skyscrapers seemed pretty far-fetched. No more.

You can't come up with a reasonable answer to stop a group that intentionally wants to kill themselves.

No solution is perfect. So we do the best we can, right?

All the restrictions haven't worked yet, and they are continuing to test the boundaries.

Our current laws have been pretty successful at blocking AQ troops from boarding airliners with MP-5's. and shooting them up. None have done so yet. And if MP-5's were freely available with no license or background check required, and if openly carrying MP-5's on to an airliner were freely allowed, you know they would have tried it already.

They haven't.

And to answer your question, yes, I would be willing to accept that risk, because I know that my daughter will have her "hole puncher" in her handbag, will be well trained, and will drill lead through the forehead of anyone who decides to commit an act of lunacy at 35,000 feet.

OK. Fair enough.

I and most of the other 300 million of us think there is a better solution for when we fly.

[frankie_the_yankee]

So you have no problem with your daughter getting on an airplane where most of the other passengers are secretly members of Al Qaeda (who were born here and are US citizens) and who are carrying H&K MP-5's, right?

So, how would I know if they were al Qaeda or not if it was secret?

That's the problem. No license or background check to buy the MP-5's. No license to carry them. And they would be freely allowed on the airliner. You wouldn't know anything until they started hosing down the passenger cabin.

Well, it would not bother me. One reason is because my daughter would be armed and she would do her best to help them meet their maker if they did anything. I do believe the rest of the passengers would also help her, and I find it hard to believe al Qaeda would truly be the majority on the plane.

They wouldn't have to be in the majority to cause a massive terroristic disruption of our air transport system. Remember, with no restrictions, they could do it over and over again.

Would you really want your loved ones to face the risk of a massive shootout every time they flew? Think about it. If so, you surprise me.

I seriously believe that if everyone carried, there would be a spike in shootings for a short time, then a new set of rules of etiquette would quickly emerge and we would have a much politer society. We would have fewer criminals, fewer idiots, and fewer people who have trouble controlling their emotions. I see this as a good thing.

I've often thought the same thing. And Heinlein once wrote of it. But I can't see society ever putting up with the initial phase where the fools and criminals meet their eternal rewards. Some number of good people would be caught up in the die off as well.

Also, that might not be the only outcome. Some other possibilities could be much darker. So it would represent quite a risk for society.

[kauboy]

Yeah, I'm just going to have to go with KBCraig on this too.
You only argue for the sake of it.
frankie_the_yankee, consider yourself officially ignored.

And stop with the PMs already.
I think you are wrong and no amount of long posts is going to change that.