# Gun Owners - If the 2nd Amendment was repealed, would you willingly give up your guns? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 3, 2015, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-if-the-2nd-amendment-was-repealed-would-you-willingly-give-up-your-guns/739330 "2015-12-03T18:07:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-if-the-2nd-amendment-was-repealed-would-you-willingly-give-up-your-guns/739330/101 "2015-12-04T16:47:15Z")
I own a handgun, if it became illegal I would surrender it. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-if-the-2nd-amendment-was-repealed-would-you-willingly-give-up-your-guns/739330/102 "2015-12-04T16:48:21Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Again, we’re talking about the value of a right, not a specific piece of hardware. > > Can we please stop with the literal definition of fair market value of an object. No. Because the OP has set up a hypothetical scenario. You can’t change the scenario because you don’t like it. If such a scenario actually happened, then it comes down to just compensation at fair market value of objects. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-if-the-2nd-amendment-was-repealed-would-you-willingly-give-up-your-guns/739330/103 "2015-12-04T16:50:28Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > If you would like to create your own poll and find out, please feel free. However, that is not what is being discussed in THIS thread. No, I think what you are wanting to discuss in this thread, is whether there are amendments to the constitution that would make certain things illegal and would we as posters here willingly violate. Gun ownership, free speech, abolishment of slavery, women’s right to vote, etc. are all fair game, as those are equally protected freedoms under the current constitution. If the government amended the constitution to allow for the reverse of any of those situations, would we willingly violate them. If government legalized slavery again, would you attempt steal slaves from their owners and free them, and potentially face criminal and civil penalties? ETA: maybe a better discussion would be which freedoms we currently have are less important than others. Is gun ownership something you would be more likely to give up than free speech? ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-if-the-2nd-amendment-was-repealed-would-you-willingly-give-up-your-guns/739330/104 "2015-12-04T17:07:40Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > A simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ would answer it to my satisfaction. > > Here, I’ll start - “Yes, I believe my rights of self-defense and self expression should be constrained in some way” your question is not legitimately a “yes” or “no,” regardless of how desperately you want it to be. 'cos unless I know what amount of “constraint” you want to apply, I can’t tell you if I’d be OK with it. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-if-the-2nd-amendment-was-repealed-would-you-willingly-give-up-your-guns/739330/105 "2015-12-04T18:40:07Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > No, I think what you are wanting to discuss in this thread, is whether there are amendments to the constitution that would make certain things illegal and would we as posters here willingly violate. > > Gun ownership, free speech, abolishment of slavery, women’s right to vote, etc. are all fair game, as those are equally protected freedoms under the current constitution. > > If the government amended the constitution to allow for the reverse of any of those situations, would we willingly violate them. > > If government legalized slavery again, would you attempt steal slaves from their owners and free them, and potentially face criminal and civil penalties? > > ETA: maybe a better discussion would be which freedoms we currently have are less important than others. Is gun ownership something you would be more likely to give up than free speech? Actually, no that is NOT want I want to discuss in this thread. For instance, I never hear anyone say “Slavery is wrong because the Constitution says it’s wrong!” nor do I hear them say “Women should have the right to vote because the Constitution says they do!” I do, however, hear all the time “I have a right to own a gun because the Constitution says I do!” I simply wanted to know what people who own guns would do if the Constitution (and all related laws) DIDN’T say they could. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-if-the-2nd-amendment-was-repealed-would-you-willingly-give-up-your-guns/739330/106 "2015-12-04T18:43:42Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > your question is not legitimately a “yes” or “no,” regardless of how desperately you want it to be. 'cos unless I know what amount of “constraint” you want to apply, I can’t tell you if I’d be OK with it. The amount of constraint can be ANY amount, doesn’t matter. Some amount more than none. Let’s try this way: Yes or No: “I believe that my right to self-defense and freedom of expression should NOT be constrained in any way” Once again, I’ll start - “No, I don’t believe that my right to self-defense and freedom of expression should not be constrained in any way” ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-if-the-2nd-amendment-was-repealed-would-you-willingly-give-up-your-guns/739330/107 "2015-12-04T18:45:03Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > I’ve done my last promenade in this dance with you. So you can’t answer a simple question? I find that more informative than if you HAD actually answered. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-if-the-2nd-amendment-was-repealed-would-you-willingly-give-up-your-guns/739330/108 "2015-12-04T18:45:33Z")
Sorry, I’m done with you. I don’t know what your motives are for making such rigid demands and I’m not going to dance for you. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-if-the-2nd-amendment-was-repealed-would-you-willingly-give-up-your-guns/739330/109 "2015-12-04T18:51:13Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > O K. What do you think is appropriate compensation for the loss of the right to protect yourself? I’ll probably think it’s humorous, but lets here it. For one, I don’t believe that the loss of my ability to own a gun equates to the loss of the right to protect myself. People didn’t protect themselves before guns were invented? However, in the spirit of your question, I would think the services of one bodyguard would be adequate. Find that as humorous as you like. Maybe as humorous as I find your misspelling of the word “hear”. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-if-the-2nd-amendment-was-repealed-would-you-willingly-give-up-your-guns/739330/110 "2015-12-04T18:53:15Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > Sorry, I’m done with you. I don’t know what your motives are for making such rigid demands and I’m not going to dance for you. Another person with the “dance craze” in his head. I have no motive other than hearing your answer to the question. I’ve even given you my answer, not sure what is so hard about it. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-if-the-2nd-amendment-was-repealed-would-you-willingly-give-up-your-guns/739330/111 "2015-12-04T19:06:46Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Again, the poll is what would YOU do? You know that you have guns in your home. They are now illegal. That illegality is Constitutional. You have a grace period to turn them in without consequence. What would YOU do? **Why would repealing the 2nd Ad make owning guns illegal?** :dubious: Someone would have to pass a law that made them illegals and required citizens to turn them in for a reasonable recompense. Likely one law for each State. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-if-the-2nd-amendment-was-repealed-would-you-willingly-give-up-your-guns/739330/112 "2015-12-04T19:09:32Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > **Why would repealing the 2nd Ad make owning guns illegal?** :dubious: > > Someone would have to pass a law that made them illegals and required citizens to turn them in for a reasonable recompense. Likely one law for each State. That’s sort of implied in the poll, and has been mentioned up thread. Yes, I should have explained that part better in the initial post, but I thought it would be understood. ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-if-the-2nd-amendment-was-repealed-would-you-willingly-give-up-your-guns/739330/113 "2015-12-04T19:10:52Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Not to start a debate, but are you saying Rosa Parks did a bad thing? I realize this was addressed to another poster, but if you are willing to indulge me, my reply would be that Rosa Parks didn’t have to hurt anyone else with her act of civil disobedience. However, police coming to my home with a mission to confiscate my guns would not be willing to take “no” for an answer, and due to the danger involved (“suspect is armed”), I may have to use force to keep my gun. At this point, I don’t want to kill a cop. As a matter of fact, politicians who passed a gun ban would use my actions as talking points to “prove” how dangerous “gun nuts” are to society. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-if-the-2nd-amendment-was-repealed-would-you-willingly-give-up-your-guns/739330/114 "2015-12-04T19:10:55Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > I do, however, hear all the time “I have a right to own a gun because the Constitution says I do!” I simply wanted to know what people who own guns would do if the Constitution (and all related laws) DIDN’T say they could. The Constitution doesnt say I have the right to own a bed, either. Does that make my mattress illegal? No doubt, if the 2nd Ad was repealed certain jurisdictions would pass significant gun controls laws. Perhaps even confiscation. But then you could just move to another State. Your OP is rather poorly thought out. So, technically if the question is:\* If the 2nd Amendment was repealed, would you willingly give up your guns?\* the answer is "No, since I wouldn’t have to.’ ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-if-the-2nd-amendment-was-repealed-would-you-willingly-give-up-your-guns/739330/115 "2015-12-04T19:12:18Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > That’s sort of implied in the poll, and has been mentioned up thread. Yes, I should have explained that part better in the initial post, but I thought it would be understood. All 50 states passed gun confiscation legislation? :dubious: You have gone into “impossible fantasy hypothetical” now. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-if-the-2nd-amendment-was-repealed-would-you-willingly-give-up-your-guns/739330/116 "2015-12-04T19:15:08Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > The Constitution doesnt say I have the right to own a bed, either. Does that make my mattress illegal? > > No doubt, if the 2nd Ad was repealed certain jurisdictions would pass significant gun controls laws. Perhaps even confiscation. But then you could just move to another State. > > Your OP is rather poorly thought out. > > So, technically if the question is:\* If the 2nd Amendment was repealed, would you willingly give up your guns?\* the answer is "No, since I wouldn’t have to.’ Again, as other posters pointed out earlier in the thread, you are technically correct. However, the poll is meant to mean 2nd Amendment repealed and personal possession of guns (what a reasonable person would consider a gun) is outlawed in all 50 states (the mechanism of the laws is irrelevant). ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-if-the-2nd-amendment-was-repealed-would-you-willingly-give-up-your-guns/739330/117 "2015-12-04T19:16:40Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > All 50 states passed gun confiscation legislation? :dubious: > > You have gone into “impossible fantasy hypothetical” now. I believe you are sort of missing the point of this poll. ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-if-the-2nd-amendment-was-repealed-would-you-willingly-give-up-your-guns/739330/118 "2015-12-04T19:17:02Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > No, fair market value is ‘the most probable price that a willing but unpressured buyer, fully knowledgeable of both the property’s good and bad attributes, would pay.’ What’s the fair market value of your car? A cadre of chauffeurs with a stable of different vehicles to drive you around? Or is there a dollar value? Further, what’s the “fair market” (not black market) value of an object now illegal to own. Zero? ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-if-the-2nd-amendment-was-repealed-would-you-willingly-give-up-your-guns/739330/119 "2015-12-04T19:25:25Z")
> [@mlees](#): > > Further, what’s the “fair market” (not black market) value of an object now illegal to own. Zero? Sorry. I just saw your later clarification. Please ignore my last. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2015, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-if-the-2nd-amendment-was-repealed-would-you-willingly-give-up-your-guns/739330/120 "2015-12-04T19:27:02Z")
> [@Stoneburg](#): > > You made a good point. I hadn’t really thought of it before but it’s obvious that they are not defending the constitution, only their own self interest, since if the constitution didn’t agree with them they would obviously disobey or ignore it. > > Guns \> Constitution > > I wonder what a Christian gun owner would do if the God of Abraham showed himself and told him to give up his guns… Are Guns more important than God himself?! > [@Scumpup](#): > > Don’t put words in other people’s mouths. No gun owner in this thread has described it as a “God-given right.” You are the one who keeps repeating the phrase. I described self-defense as a human right. It is mine because I am human, not because some government or fictional sky spirit says so. No worries. Fictional Sky Spirit says owning guns is cool. > [@](#): > > Though we see sanction and even a qualified directive from Christ to possess personal weapons, > [@](#): > > possession of weapons and acquiring the skill to use them in self-defense is permitted but not required by Scripture. > **[Biblical Self-Defense: What does the Bible say about self-defense? Bible...](https://www.biblicalselfdefense.com/)** > > \>Biblical Self-Defense: Bible study about self-defense What is the Biblical view of self-defense? Can a Christian own a gun? What do the Scriptures say about using lethal force for self-protection? The above quotes are at the bottom of the front page after a bunch of scripture. > [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > This poll bolsters my suspicion that gun nuts are basically criminals at heart. And gun grabbers are worse than Hitler and pedophiles and should be locked up in the looney bin. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-if-the-2nd-amendment-was-repealed-would-you-willingly-give-up-your-guns/739330.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-owners-if-the-2nd-amendment-was-repealed-would-you-willingly-give-up-your-guns/739330.md?page=7)