scrubbedexpat099

In this case?

SultanOfSwing

I'd say the gun didn't do Mr. Doyle any favours at all in this case. Fair enough, he shut up the bloke that was running his mouth, but he'll do some hard time for it in the end.

Hardly seems worth it, when all he needed to do was tell the guy to **** off and call the fuzz if he didn't.

audio

If I feel safer, I will be happier at least and maybe my heart will keep pumping a bit longer, particularly with my 45 at hand.

kimilseung

Three key questions.
1. Does the recreational benefit of guns out way the risk?
Life is a risk, so probably.
2. Do guns make you safer.
All the stats seem to indicate no.
3. Is your property worth more than a criminals life?
No for me, though others opinions will differ.

RoadWarriorFromLP

So the facts don't matter, only your emotional state. That's comforting.

scrubbedexpat099

Yes to all 3.

Next question.

RoadWarriorFromLP

If it was up to me, I would allow rifles and restrict handguns. Handguns are too easy to conceal and too convenient to use.

SultanOfSwing

1. The risk can be diminished by using a trigger lock and gun/ammunition safes in the home, and virtually eliminated by keeping your guns at the range, if that is something that can be done.

Failing that, there's a risk in everything. I could break a leg playing football, but I don't let it stop me.

2. No, they don't. Irrespective of what reason they are bought for, the gun itself isn't going to do anything to make you safer. It's how you keep and operate it that will determine how safe you are.

3. Hard to answer this one as life only has subjective value. One thing though, property aside, I value my life over a criminal's, so I'm damn sure not going to risk being put away for killing someone unless I was sure beyond reasonable doubt that my own life, or that of someone close to me, was in danger. If not, run like **** wins every time.

kimilseung

The next question is to ask you to cite credible references for a 'yes' to #2. That question is not answered by an opinion.

SultanOfSwing

That would work.

People really should be keeping shotguns for 'home defense' anyway. The low velocity rounds make the risk of collateral damage from stray bullets go away, but they have excellent stopping power, if that's your ultimate goal.

scrubbedexpat099

They were statements not opinions.

It is up to you want you want to do or think, only becomes an issue when you want to force your opinions on other people.

sir_eccles

It's Florida, stand my ground laws will probably mean he doesn't do any time. Getting out of your car to initiate a confrontation is usually seen as making you the aggressor regardless of what the other motorist has done.

kimilseung

...even if shot in the back?

SultanOfSwing

Though, it did say in the article that the police were not considering this a stand your ground case. Perhaps he'll still get what's coming to him.

It appears there was a witness who said they saw Gonzalez back off before he was shot, so maybe that affects it.

scrubbedexpat099

His issue would be holding wife and child, can not see much justification for that and a much easier charge to make stick.