I've read most of this thread and I have a few responses, provided anybody is listening to anybody else at this point.
I understand Bella's position because as somebody who has--rather naturally I might add, instead of legal--concern for little'uns; WE know who you are Viper, but not many others do...everybody else is somebody else to everybody else.
And as for rhiannon...
The US and its gun problems are largely due to the tradition of heroic common-man warrior mythology that emanates from the days of the Revolutionary War. Because the victors were a largely agrarian people, they incorporated that sense of triumph into their insular, clannish pride that rural people possess and the result was an unhealthy level of aggression incorporated into lifestyle philosophies and perspectives. The idea of using force, intimidation, and violence to resolve a problem with an optimistic outlook undeterred by sense of failure is considered a uniquely traditional American identity.
Notice American action movies: a lone, tough, scrappy, working-class hero with strong principles single-handedly taking on a larger, stronger, oppressive enemy (usually with an accent and a better education) with a gun and can-do spirit...then, against all odds, HE WINS (and usually gets the girl)...
...that's the American version of the Revolutionary War story all over again.
Now, as for Viper...
Are you sure you should be making financial decisions this soon after BRAIN surgery?
I disagree with the choice because, as ASU said, red draws a lot of attention and it sends an aggressive message...usually to other aggressive people who are looking for an excuse to fight. And as we've seen countless times on the forum, there's ALWAYS people looking for a fight...just that some of them use guns instead of emoticons.
Secondly, you have to look at where you are. Here in Montana, we don't even have to register firearms (they DO perform background checks though) and we can carry weapons on bodies provided they are visible (yes, that includes a broadsword although I haven't seen anybody test it yet). You need a permit to carry a concealed one. I've been tempted to carry one with me at times, but then I realized that if the other guy grabbed it before I did, he could shoot me with my own weapon. Also, if I were to use it, I'd be responsible for any legal ramifications that happened as a result of using it...and it can be hard to keep track of all the gun laws in your head during a firefight.
People are used to the idea of people having guns on them out here--and that the gun culture makes sure that people know how to use them properly--so people rarely provoke each other with weapons. Most of the violence we have out here is brute force or with tools like hammers and knives...rarely guns.
You live on the East Coast...people are NOT used to people carrying weapons, let alone RESPONSIBLE people. And the East Coast is largely ruled by organized crime, so most of the people likely to use a gun in violence will have associates who would seek revenge should you successfully shoot one and be exonerated for it. So in all likelihood, your actual beneficial use of it might invite more trouble by people are more accustomed to a largely passive populace that barks and nips rather than bites.
I suspect you want to carry a gun because you feel that there's a likelihood that you might need it one day. I agree. However, having it on display is a foolish decision because violent types often take stock of their surroundings--especially the defensive capabilities of other citizens--before acting out. There are also people who want to carry guns because they're itching for the opportunity to use them...you don't want to run across one of them. Also, the police are uneasy about civilians acting on their own behalf...as concerned as cops are for public safety, they are more concerned with their paternalistic role as absolute arbiters of public affairs and are more likely to come down on you to send a message to other citizens than to applaud you.
The only way carrying a gun works is if you know the law, a realistic understanding of ballistics, and if you keep it concealed. I thought of doing that...but a conceal-and-carry permit is not worth putting my fingerprints on file.
That is absolutely the polar opposite of comforting to say the very least, and part of why there are so many accidental shootings in this country every damn year. How it happens in the movie in your head is one thing; in reality, lunatics are *fast* and have way less to lose and by the time you drop your Hollister bag and Cinnabon to even reach for your gun it's all over.
It's also less about relying on the gun, since it would only be an option if immediate, life-threatening danger were imminent, and only under those circumstances.
