Loughner declined from the army, but passed a background check to buy a gun?

[Contact]

Originally Posted by Peatree [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I agree in not using lethal force over simple possesions. If someone was breaking into my car -- I'd simply call the cops and let them deal with it. Not storm out there guns blazing telling them to "freeze".

Here is what concerns me. What would happen if teenager/crack head/home invader came in with a gun and decided to not only rob you -- but also rape your daughter/wife/girlfriend...and all you had was your mag light....what now?

Again -- I'd rather have it, be trained on it, know how to use it and when to use it....than not....make sense?

You having a gun in that scenario means squat. They have a gun pointed at your loved one, presumably, so how the hell will you having one help at all?

[Peatree]

Originally Posted by Contact [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

You having a gun in that scenario means squat. They have a gun pointed at your loved one, presumably, so how the hell will you having one help at all?

Ridiculous comment. There are too many assumptions in this scenario...you are assuming that they have a gun pointed at them, assuming they got inside without being noticed, assuming our dog doesn't alert us, assuming everything...life isn't a movie nor is it a sitcom.

If I was in a scenario where someone had a gun holding someone hostage...then that is a totally different scenario. In fact we can role play and argue scenario's all day long...but why? It doesn't matter.

My point being -- if the only option I had was a mag light from the beginning of the scenario, then I have limited option as to how I can respond versus if I am armed then I can choose how I react.

The real problem in my opinion is that it is too easy to first obtain a firearm...and there are no real punishments if you are caught with one illegally.

In my opinion, to own a handgun for personal defense then you should have to pass a test...just like driving a car...but a more thorough test with a background check. It should also require you to stay legal -- hence be tested regularly in order to keep your license to own/carry.

If your caught without being licensed then the penalty should be very harsh...in fact I think a viable option would be to not only punish the person that is not licensed -- but to also punish the establishment/person for selling/providing a firearm to an unlicensed person.

I do understand that any system is flawed -- but we need to have something...as it stand right now it is to "loose"...obviously...