Why are guns good for America?

[Vanguard]

Don't worry, it's a rhetorical question. Anyone with a sliver of common sense could answer that question favorably to the pro gun side. The problem is, not everyone has common sense. Some just have an irrational fear of firearms while others "know someone whose brother's, friend's, cousin" was injured or killed by a firearm. Someone from either side of the argument can go on the internet and, in less than a minute, find "facts" and statistics to support their side of the argument.

I want to list just some no nonsense, statistic free, common sense reasons why guns are good for America. Please add to the list if you can think of more.

1. Freedom. Guns provided America with it's freedom and have maintained our freedom ever since.

2. Protection. Guns allow a person to provide protection to their family and work as an "equalizer" for people against criminals.

3. Sustenance. Guns allow a person to hunt (if need be) and provide food for their family.

4. Responsibility. Guns, along with adult supervision can be a very good tool in teaching responsibility to kids.

5. Guns, or the over regulation of them, can act as a warning sign of over reaching government. Throughout history, when a government has tried to control it's people, they have confiscated the weapons from the populace. In a way, the legal possession of firearms instills a sort of confidence in our government that they are not intruding too much into our lives...yet. Keep an eye on this one though, especially in California. I'm preaching to the choir on this one here.

...anyone else have any?

[rojocorsa]

Perhaps a means to make an honest living?

Undeniably, the civilian arms industry is important to this country. Though there are a lot of screwball FFLs and gunsmiths, many of these people can make a living because of guns.

[Uriah02]

1. Responsibility as a Citizen - we can protect ourselves without having to rely on the gov't to provide for us.
2. Safety - Common sense dictates a victim that can fight back makes criminals think twice.

[Brendan Sullivan]

Perhaps a means to make an honest living?

Undeniably, the civilian arms industry is important to this country. Though there are a lot of screwball FFLs and gunsmiths, many of these people can make a living because of guns.

Civilian arms as well as military.

What nation has two thumbs and boasts both the world's largest defense budget and is the greatest exporter of firearms?

[encore889]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW8BZ7pRt28&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEbXuwDiUSo&feature=related

[Vanguard]

Nutnfancy's vids are good but he could say just as much with a lot fewer words.

[PhantomII]

An armed person is a citizen.

An unarmed person is a subject.

[Hopalong]

Guns are as American as Mom and apple pie. So are cars. You could substitute "car" for "gun" in the original post, and nobody is advocating getting rid of cars.
If anyone wonders about the meaning of "militia", read up on American History. If not for the Concord Militia, Lexington Militia and others, we'd be sending our tax $ to the Queen.
Guns ARE America. Go to Boston, walk the Freedom Trail. See the statues of Minutemen with their guns leaning up against their plows.
When the British marched out of Boston on April 19, 1775 (it was actually the 18th when they left) they were headed to Concord to capture guns, cannon, and gunpowder from the Rebels. (They had also tried this at Salem and Portsmouth in the weeks and months prior, for the same reasons) On all three occasions the rebels knew they were coming and moved the stores, but at Lexington Green the Rebels met them with an armed militia, where "the shot heard 'round the world" rang out, and the rest is history.
Go to Lexington Green, see the statues of armed Minutemen and cannon, recite the Concord Hymn. Guns ARE America, uniquely American, constitutionally American.
How soon some forget...

[Vanguard]

Guns are as American as Mom and apple pie. So are cars. You could substitute "car" for "gun" in the original post, and nobody is advocating getting rid of cars.
If anyone wonders about the meaning of "militia", read up on American History. If not for the Concord Militia, Lexington Militia and others, we'd be sending our tax $ to the Queen.
Guns ARE America. Go to Boston, walk the Freedom Trail. See the statues of Minutemen with their guns leaning up against their plows.
When the British marched out of Boston on April 19, 1775 (it was actually the 18th when they left) they were headed to Concord to capture guns, cannon, and gunpowder from the Rebels. (They had also tried this at Salem and Portsmouth in the weeks and months prior, for the same reasons) On all three occasions the rebels knew they were coming and moved the stores, but at Lexington Green the Rebels met them with an armed militia, where "the shot heard 'round the world" rang out, and the rest is history.
Go to Lexington Green, see the statues of armed Minutemen and cannon, recite the Concord Hymn. Guns ARE America, uniquely American, constitutionally American.
How soon some forget...

You sound like an Appleseed Project instructor.

http://appleseedinfo.org/

Everyone should go to one of these....and take your family.

[Hopalong]

You sound like an Appleseed Project instructor.

http://appleseedinfo.org/

Everyone should go to one of these....and take your family.

I hadn't heard of this group, but I'm all for it!
I have lived in California for 36 years, but.....
I was born and grew up in Boston, 12 miles from Lexington Green.
Patriots Day, April 19, Bunker Hill Day, June 17, and Evacuation Day, March 17 are holidays in Boston.
Every year, the Boston Public Schools took the kids on a field trip to walk the Freedom Trail. I've been back dozens of times, usually bringing with me a Californian who's idea of American History is "First Taco Bell 1968".
Started shooting riflery 50 years ago for scores.
Damn, I ought to be the poster boy for this outfit, or get some kind of kickback!
I'm amazed at how little people know about American History, and how ingrained to the core, guns are a part of it.
Thanks for sharing that link.

[Lead Waster]

I don't think they are good or bad, they are just a fact of life.

Many people liken them to tools. So why are hammers good for America?

At this point in time, it is certain that a lot of people in America have guns, so why be one of the people who don't?

They are just a fact of life, just like cars and oil and fast food.

[Cali-Shooter]

Guns are good for America because they will help keep invasions at bay. If every one of it's citizens are able to rise up in arms against a foreign invader, then America cannot be annexed by force without grave consequences.

But this are all borderline wishful thinking, since we can clearly see that we don't need a foreign enemy to invade and take away our armaments and freedom, since domestic enemies so easily do it for them.

As soon as all of our freedoms are gone, we would be even more divided than we are now, and would be easier pickings for foreign powers to oust us, one way or another.

[Hopalong]

I don't think they are good or bad, they are just a fact of life.

Many people liken them to tools. So why are hammers good for America?

At this point in time, it is certain that a lot of people in America have guns, so why be one of the people who don't?

They are just a fact of life, just like cars and oil and fast food.

It's more than this.
All countries have hammers, most have cars and fast food.
Guns are in our Constitution and guarantee our freedom.
The whole world knows Americans own, and love their guns, and what that means.
For example: Just before WW2 when Japan was debating attacking America, there were two factions in the debate. One wanted a full scale attack with troops going ashore.
The other, a sneak attack, and then quickly sue for peace. Their argument was, we could never go ashore in America because, and I quote, "behind every blade of grass, would be a gun".

[SMOKEYMOUNTAIN]

Guns are good for America because it is a fun, recreational hobby.

[Toyman321]

Guns are good for America because it is a fun, recreational hobby.

I was reading through this thread thinking "nobody's going to point out that they are fun?"