While many here might not condone the

[DonaldBabbett]

keeping of an atomic bomb by an American citizen, isn't it safe to say that most here would agree that any law-abiding American citizen should be allowed to keep any weapon, tactical equipment or protective gear that virtually any police or sheriff's department in the nation has?

This might include:

battering rams
submachine guns
select-fire rifles
tear gas
bullet-proof vests/body armor
gas masks
riot gear
night-vision gun sights
night-vision devices
pinpoint microphones
electronic surveillance equipment
telephone bugging equipment
spy gear
sting operation gear as spy cameras, etc.
attack dogs
working trained bomb dogs

[MrOrange]

Agreed for the most part (much "spy gear" should stay with the CIA), but I would word it differently: The cops aren't allowed to have anything that the general public can't.

[morfeeis]

In my opinion if you can afford it and it doesn't harm anyone else, you should be able to own it (including nukes).

[R Dale]

keeping of an atomic bomb by an American citizen, isn't it safe to say that most here would agree that any law-abiding American citizen should be allowed to keep any weapon, tactical equipment or protective gear that virtually any police or sheriff's department in the nation has?

This might include:

battering rams
submachine guns
select-fire rifles
tear gas
bullet-proof vests/body armor
gas masks
riot gear
night-vision gun sights
night-vision devices
pinpoint microphones
electronic surveillance equipment
telephone bugging equipment
spy gear
sting operation gear as spy cameras, etc.
attack dogs
working trained bomb dogs

I don't think the average citizen should have everything the police has because we don't have a need for them nor would it be legal to use some of the things the police have. What would we need a battering ram for? why would want to bug someone phone that is not you own? what would you need tear gas for? As for body armor I think it would be ok to have and night vision devices I see no problem with. As for machine guns and stockpiles of ammo I think would be ok provided they are kept at a secure location and the guns only used at a range that allows them. Same with attack dogs they should only be at a secure location not in residential neighborhoods.

[bohoki]

In my opinion if you can afford it and it doesn't harm anyone else, you should be able to own it (including nukes).

well a nuclear bomb or any weapon of mass indescriminate death N,B,C

even simple explosives should be controlled mainly because we have the whole us army protecting our nukes

and explosives are additive you see this even with the tannerite or safe and sane fireworks (see video of 1000 sparklers going off all at once)

there are jerks out there taking the tannerite and buying enough to fill a freakin 5 gallon bucket then place it under a car i mean sheesh you see why the gun grabbers gain ground

[spfabrication]

I used to get the keys to them all the time.

[uechikid]

Agreed for the most part (much "spy gear" should stay with the CIA), but I would word it differently: The cops aren't allowed to have anything that the general public can't.

Hmm, if I'm not mistaken LE can have select fire rifles. They can also carry batons, in CA civilians can't. They also have standard capacity magazines. That's just off the top of my head.
To the OPs point, I agree that civilians should be able to protect themselves as they see fit, pretty much.

[CWDraco]

The 2nd A provides for the typical citizen to be allowed arms for defense of freedom.

A Nuke is not a defensive arm. While a case can be made for a good offense is a good defense, the destruction of innocent people is not a defensive act covered under civilian freedom.

Voting and strict control of our Government is our control over Nukes. As is our control over our Military.

[spfabrication]

And of course any Special Weapon worth it's salt is ALWAYS under TWO PERSON CONTROL, darn it.

[Noble Cause]

In my opinion if you can afford it and it doesn't harm anyone else, you should be able to own it (including nukes).

I'm not far behind you, but I guess I draw the line on nukes, for various
reasons. As you know, the chances of the generally public being allowed
to legally own nukes is one infinitesimal smidgen point above Zero, so any
discussion on same is just a interesting debate on something that will
never happen into the foreseeable future of mankind.

So Let the Wild Speculation Begin !

In an Alternate Reality, Nukes are legal to own after you go thru
a Nuke Permit Process.

The vetting officials have just ok'd a Permit for a veteran purchasing
a nuke for his mining consortium. Their records show him to be an
upstanding citizen, with several awards, and even a Bronze Star Medal.

His name is Timothy McVeigh.

So the 168 people originally killed in a horrific act of domestic terrorism
now could swell to Millions of innocent people because of One person
irrationally deciding they needed to die.

Of course, that's just one example of things Ending Badly, but I'm sure
many more can be conjured up without much effort.


Noble

[DonaldBabbett]

And of course any Special Weapon worth it's salt is ALWAYS under TWO PERSON CONTROL, darn it.

I want a weapon or defensive tool that is suitable for an American rugged individual, not necessarily a crew of two or more.

I can pretty much handle a mounted Browning 50-cal machine gun SOLO for home defense in my special "bat cave" bunker house provided the gun is already loaded with a full belt guarding the only door that enters and exits my crib. Perhaps, the venerable M2 is not truly a "Special Weapon" but this gun is certainly worth its "salt peter" (pun intended).

[Victor Cachat]

I would want said citizen to have more stringent tracking and security measures than our average PD.

[Quiet]

IMO...
All small arms should be legal with no registration requirements.

[BeFrank]

Responsibility

I don't think the average citizen should have everything the police has because we don't have a need for them nor would it be legal to use some of the things the police have. What would we need a battering ram for? why would want to bug someone phone that is not you own? what would you need tear gas for? As for body armor I think it would be ok to have and night vision devices I see no problem with. As for machine guns and stockpiles of ammo I think would be ok provided they are kept at a secure location and the guns only used at a range that allows them. Same with attack dogs they should only be at a secure location not in residential neighborhoods.

I don't presume to know what you would "need" but that's not the issue, the issue is the regulations made from fear. Of course anything you have you have the moral obligation to use, handle and store responsibly. It's no different from owning a large tractor, loader or rock crusher.

[MarikinaMan]

I personally draw the line over something that will take out more than a city block. Thats just me.