Maybe...maybe not. I think it varies on people's individual circumstances. I've lived in high-crime cities most of my life, and have never felt the need to own a gun. Though I'm not opposed to responsible people owning guns (some of my friends and relatives have them, mostly for hunting and law enforcement, a few for 'protection') for me, using good sense has worked well enough.

I heard a humorous send up of the 'gun crisis' in the US at the moment on a local radio station the other day. They were generally discussing it on a talk back station when one of the hosts popped up and said, "The answer to the gun crisis in America is more guns".

I thought this was interesting. Not only because it was funny to hear at the time, but also because that seems to be the general concensus. Ironic really.

The general consensus (that's how we spell it in the States)? That's news to me.

Not only is it news, it is a stupid notion.

Well, gun proponents would have us believe we'd all be safer if we all had guns right? How many times in this thread alone have we seen the argument that if someone else had had a gun the VT shooting might not have occured or at least may have been minimized?

We don't need spelling nazi's here too do we? I think you got the idea didn't you?

Good sense will go a long way to keeping you protected. It will not protect you forever. The gun is for those times when the best of your intentions cannot prevent you from being some punk-assed-criminal-rapper-wanta-be tries to put a cap in your ass.

Hong Kong is one of the safest cities I have ever been to, I was there for a month. I imagine, from the things I read, that Singapore is similar.

OH. That must be the good advice they dispense at CNS News.

What is CNS news? Never heard of it.

Yeah, because since that's what they always say on tv, it must be how it works.

Once again you've phrased something so poorly as to make it intellectually dishonest... but yes, yes I would. Are you seriously suggesting I should live like a prisoner so that criminals are a little safer?

How so? You made the connection, I'm just asking....

No, so you'd be safer. Do you lock your car, or just carry a gun?

That doesn't sound like the Chuck Norris I know, Spexxvet.

If there is an "altercation" between two people, and neither has a gun, the likelihood of someone dying is low. Add one gun, and the likelihood increases. Add two guns, and the likelihood skyrockets. If your goal, in life, is to keep all your stuff, or die trying, then I recommend that you pack heat. If your goal is to spend a long life with your family, don't have a gun. You and your family can do without a TV. You can overcome the emotional trauma of a sex crime. But you won't be there if you are dead, or in jail for having misjudged a situation. Sure, an assailant can come along, demand your gum, then rape you and kill you. You can also have a car accident and get killed. Or a safe could fall on your head. You take prudent precautions to improve your safety, but shit happens. IMHO, you are less likely to die if you have a gun.