So my 3rd-grade son asked me if there are any crazy people with guns near us.

[BlueMTexpat]

65. Go peddle your points elsewhere.

Articulately as they are expressed, they are straight out of the NRA's self-justification manual for killing anything that moves in the name of self-defense.

Because statistically those who keep guns for self-defense are more likely to have those guns actually used against them or their own family members, I find any argument for keeping one specious at best. If you're a "responsible" gun owner, the gun is locked up and no ammunition is in it. Period. How do you even get to it, fill it and use it effectively in time to react? Good locks, self-defense classes, a dog, a can of pepper in your nightstand, even a baseball bat can work pretty well for self-defense and still not be patent dangers to yourself, your other family members - indeed any of your loved ones.

Buying a semi-automatic weapon when one lives in an urban environment makes no sense whatsoever. Its use in that situation is patently for killing other human beings no matter what justification is used.

Hunters who take pride in the "skill aspect" of that sport hardly need a semi-automatic weapon. I've never yet heard of a rabbit, duck, goose, deer, elk or bison that has shot back. Or even aimed, for that matter. If hunters really want to show "skill," how about hunting with a musket? Now that would take skill. I know several who use bows and arrows. Again, for those who are interested in "skill," great. But puleez, don't even mention "skill" in connection with a semi-automatic weapon.

If you - or any one else in the USA - are so frightened of law enforcement authorities or "the Guvmint," then work to change the things that you don't like through the political process. Otherwise, you are nothing but a paranoid nutcase. Period. And, if you have a semi-automatic weapon, YOU are far more dangerous to your family than anyone outside it is.