When I was growing up, it was a universal trait of every neighborhood boy to own and play with all manner of plastic toy guns. There were squirt guns, cap guns, nerf guns, guns that fired suction-cup darts, ones that lit up while playing recorded gun-noises, and ones that just clicked with a rat-a-tat-tat when fired. There were ones that looked reasonably like real guns (some in bright colors after some kid got shot by a cop who didn’t know he had a toy), and ones that looked like they were from outer space. Every little boy had at least a few, and if he was ever without them he knew he could always form his fingers into an approximation of one.

I, however, had the largest collection of any boy I knew. Not only that, but I could name just about any gun I saw in the movies. I was known to check out Jane’s Infantry Weapons from the library, and pour through its encyclopedic listings.

Unfortunately, my parents never shared my enthusiasm, and so I was not able to take my fondness beyond a boyhood dream for a number of years. Thankfully, my Grandfather – a WWII veteran – had no such hang-ups and taught me how to aim and how to properly handle a firearm. But aside from shooting a few BB guns with him, I had little to do with anything that actually fired. I had to stem my thirst with video games, Heinlein, and Tom Clancy.

Eventually, I would correct this imbalance. It took too long, mostly due to a lack of funds, and living in a gun-unfriendly state. Money is still tight, but at least I’ve handled the latter.

But suffice to say, for me the second amendment is more than just a philosophic abstraction. It’s personal. And while I can understand that not everyone will get as fired up on the subject of ordinance as I do, I simply do not understand why more Americans aren’t armed. Even lacking the understanding of both American and world history that I have, it’s plain common sense to have an efficacious means to defend oneself; doubly so for women.

Considering the fact that I go just about everywhere with a gun on my hip, I do get a certain number of comments. For the most part, they are overwhelmingly positive. Most people just ask me what kind of gun I have, or comment on how nice it is. A few are incredulous that it is actually a real gun and ask why I have it. I have to explain to them calmly, as one would to a child, that yes it is a real gun, no I am not with the police, and the reason I carry it is for self-defense.

Given the enthusiasm of my youth, I find it ironic that it takes a positively childish attitude for someone to go through life deliberately unarmed. Mostly it is simple naïveté; having grown up in relatively low-crime neighborhoods and not being the victims of violent crimes, many people think that this somehow protects them from the possibility of aggression. As if the fact of something never having happened to them in the past precludes the possibility that it might happen in the future. I’d like to think that this sort of attitude is abandoned around the same time as the security blanket, but in our feelings-over-reason culture it is all too common even among supposedly responsible adults.

But occasionally I hear of or encounter attitudes that go far beyond the simply jejune, into an eye-crossingly irrational attitude that some have called hoplophobia.

My wife, especially, seems to be a magnet for comments from these kinds of people. I suspect it has something to do with the fact that a lovely young woman of 5’1” packing heat is a walking slap in the face to their prejudice that guns are Platonically Evil instruments carried only by psychopaths and Neanderthals. (oh, and by policemen too but that’s different somehow) She does revel a bit in this fact.

I still laugh about the time she was at school and her classmates were discussing what they had done over the weekend. She mentioned idly that she had gone shooting with me at our gun club. The response was a worried and somewhat stunned, "Oh? Why did you do that?" It was as if she said she had been out wrestling with komodo dragons.

Of course, it gets much worse than mere squeamishness. The most priceless comment of them all was from a relative who explained why she would never own a gun: "Well, I don't believe in violence." As if, when a crazed murderer breaks into her house she need only explain to him, "Excuse me, Mr. Crazed Murderer, I don't believe in violence,” to which he would reply, “Oh, well since you are of such an enlightened viewpoint, I will be going on my way and will not murder you after all.”

It's like she thinks if she pretends crime doesn't exist, then it can't hurt her.

I call these ideas childish because they are just so completely disconnected from reality that I can’t even fathom the kind of mentality that could seriously believe in them. I think to myself, “…and you use the very same mind that holds such an ‘idea’ to tie your shoes and drive to work? It’s a miracle you haven’t choked to death on your own tongue!”

…

But suffice to say, consider this my official announcement that I am a 100% certified gun nut. There will be some gun blogging going on here in a bit, so be ready for that.

-Inspector

I agree with you that being able to defend yourself is necessary. I disagree with you that you need to be packing to do so. Guns especially in areas where you are likely to need them for self defense can attract unwelcome attention. The fact that you are (openly) carrying a gun can make it more likely that you need to use it. They also have a high potential for abuse by children and a good target for theft. This is not to say that I do not believe in defending myself and my loved ones. I carry an knife (which I use at work) and have been trained on how to use it (including throwing) it. I have also been engaged in various forms of martial arts for the past 12 years (I'm currently 19). Over the past four years in my latest system I've been trained physically and <i>psychologically</i> to deal with several dozen situations. Although learning how to use tools is good (and I know how to use a gun) for something like self defense, I feel you cannot rely on ANYTHING but your mind, your rationality your focus et. al. to deal with the situation.

That's why there is concealed carry. ;)

Are you implying that someone would be attacked simply for carrying a gun? Who would be stupid and crazy enough to do that? And if they are so stupid and crazy exactly what guarantee is there that they wouldn't attack a non-gun-holder?

I submit that any such place where insanity like that goes on is a place to be avoided at all costs. I severely doubt that any reason for going to such a place is worth the risk.

Have you ever been to an open carry state?

Anyhow, I agree with your idea that self defense starts and is primarily a state of mind. But a gun is the most effective means of self-defense and I would take it any day over a knife or bare hands.

I do not agree with the distinction that you are making here. The use of a tool is not a substitute for the use of reason. Rather, the creation and mastery of tools is one of the ultimate fruits of human reason. Learning to use a fire-arm is simply an application of that principle.

In this context, the only fundamental difference between a knife and a gun is that the gun is more powerful in most situations. Thieves and children can misuse knives too. Arguing against the more powerful weapon is akin to arguing that cars should only be built to go 20 mph, since this would cut down on damage from accidental collisions, drunk drivers, and the like. The fact that a tool is powerful simply dictates that its owner exercise greater care in its use, not that it should be abandoned.

Inspector:

ok, what I was thinking about was a large metro area with gang activity where openly displaying a firearm could lead to confrontation, of course there isn't a guarantee that a non gun holder wouldn't be attacked but I think that they would be more likely to be attacked in this circumstance.

It was my understanding that most of the US was open carry (with the exception of a few New England states?). Or maybe I don't know what you mean?

Cunctator:

I agree with what you said, but I think you missed my point. I was trying to get at that if you got drugged, kidnapped and woke up in a room naked with three thugs contemplating hurting you (i.e. without ANY of your tools) you should be able to defend yourself. I was saying that your mind is the ONLY sure thing you possess concerning self defense.

I suspected as much. Yes, I think the best policy with such places is simply avoiding them. Followed by concealed carry, and then open carry. It still might be better to have a gun on your hip in such a place than no gun at all. Even gang bangers would be smart to not risk getting shot just to confront you for simply having a gun.

I asked about open carry because I'd like you to picture someone getting attacked for having a gun in, say, Texas.

Here's a map, although it doesn't so much show whether a permit is required or not for open carry, or whether it's part of the culture to do so.

Wow. A striking example. Most everyone would be simply dead in that scenario. Especially if the bad guys had guns and didn't do movie-villain dumb things to leave you unguarded and such.

But if your point is simply that one can be disarmed, then yes that is true. But you said that you disagree that you need to be packing to defend yourself and then listed a bunch of disadvantages of guns. It made it sound like you were saying that a gun wasn't the best tool of self-defense and that you would rather not have one than have one.

Which Cunctator replied nicely to, I think. A gun is a tool of self-defense, not a substitute for the knowledge of how to defend yourself. But it is the best means of self defense.

Concealed Carry.

Permit or not, it is a constitutional right.

When people question this because of gun laws I ask?

"How can it be a right if I have to ask the privelidge?"

When it comes down to it, especially living in Los Angeles/Hollywood, its really a choice of being dead or guilty.

I have pulled it 4 times in 10 years. Never fired it. The presense was enough to deter the assailants. The last one was scary in that it was a security gaurd caught stealing in the building he was supposed to protect.

I despise those who carry a firearm as some sort of "ego boost". This usually applies to gangs.

I am from Wyoming and Guns were for gathering food, personal and house security. All kids are taught gun safety at the age of 12 in teh schools, but usually much sooner by parents.

Because of this there is no gun violence epidemic in Wyoming.

Although, I would never wear a gun where people could see it out of consideration for the timid and less for the worry of bringing negative attention. I prefer it be completely disctreet.

If I hadn't carried late nights in Venice Beach (when I lived there for 7 years) I would be dead long ago.

So, I always say... "I would be dead long before I'd be found guilty."

Its sad but I am living my life because of this choice and not dead in the ground.

I am a humble 3D animator making stuff for Films and TV effects and never am looking for trouble or something to prove. I just want to go home at night safely.

Quite true, Noble.

Say, I thought that California allowed CCW with a permit..? Are there a lot of barriers to getting a CCW permit in the granola state? I hate how when I visit there I have to put my gun in a locked case and can't carry it. If I went there more often I would apply for a permit.

Alright, invision your gun getting... stolen.... :o a mugger that catches you by suprise knocks you out steals your I.D. money cell phone and... gun. You don't know where the police station, or even a pay phone is to call 911. And you're in an area that's ok during the day but gets somewhat dicey at night. Does that seem somewhat more realistic to you?

All I was trying to say was that a gun wasn't the best tool for self defense in every situation. Unless you're a sworn law enforcement officer there are many places (and states) where you can't carry (like you mentioned, California). Schools, universities, many businesses have a no gun policy. Not to mention train stations, airports, courthouses, and the like. If you are truly serious about defending yourself you need to know more then just how to point and shoot.

I agree that a gun is generally, the most effecient but there are several situations where it might not be the best tool for the situation. Personally for me, I don't think that I need a gun for self defense. Given the area that I live in, where the worst, most violent people I could encounter are drunk frat boys no I don't think I need a gun.

I'm not anti-gun at all, I agree that it can be a useful, lifesaving tool. I'm just trying to keep it in context.

Quite true, and it frustrates me to no end.

Yes... and if you are truly serious about defending yourself, then your first and primary method should be the gun, in every situation where you are legally allowed to carry it. And, as Noble pointed out, perhaps many where you are not.

This is not to say that other means are not necessary. It is only to say that this means is the best.