General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Zimmerman claims he was on his way to Target when he spotted Trayvon. So why did he need a gun? [View all]Cowboy Dan
(1 post)Sorry, FE, you're wrong.
"we both know that most gun deaths are accidental and we have a teenager and a small child. " Most gun deaths are suicides, followed closest by homicides.
From the Center for Disease Control's 2009 mortality report:
Total deaths by firearms: 31,347
Intentional self-harm (suicide) by discharge of firearms (X72-X74) 18,735
Assault (homicide) by discharge of firearms 11,493
Legal intervention 395
Discharge of firearms, undetermined intent (Y22-Y24) 232
Operations of war and their sequelae 25
As you see, FE, the undetermined intent category is a small subset of all the firearms related deaths, (0.007401%).
Whether you choose to have guns in your home is a decision for you and your family. I respect your decision, although I doubt we will ever meet. I have friends and family members who choose not to have firearms; that's their business, not mine.
We have had guns in our home since our children were in diapers, and we have had no firearms incidents in or around our home. Rather than hide our guns and make them mysteries to be explored, we showed our children our firearms and taught them basic rules of firearms safety. Two of the three shoot quite well; the third has no interest in guns. I am glad for you that you have never felt the need to carry a weapon. May you, in many years, die peacefully in your own bed.
I have been in some situations where a firearm in my hands might have turned things out differently. I worked in corrections and carried a gun for years on and off duty. I only once felt the need to draw it from its holster. I didn't have to shoot anyone, and the situation resolved somewhat peaceably. Had the other parties acted differently, I would have been justified in using deadly force and would have been found non-culpable by my agency. I don't believe the State's Attorney would have even considered filing any charges.
I will, when I can legally do so, carry again.