# Why do so many Americans feel they need tools for killing people? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 8, 2015, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-feel-they-need-tools-for-killing-people/739849 "2015-12-08T20:37:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-feel-they-need-tools-for-killing-people/739849/41 "2015-12-09T08:48:54Z")
> [@iljitsch](#): > > Do they actually want to kill people? > > Don’t they realize that statistically, a gun is more likely to kill its owner than anyone else? > > Reading comprehension: they’re called “assault weapons” for a reason. > > How does it make sense that people who aren’t allowed to fly can buy guns legally? The old report that “60% of gun-related injuries are self-inflicted, or inflicted by friendlies” are basically accidental shooting by people without the training and discipline you would associate with someone who kills for a living. Since that kind of proficiency is what a gun owner is after, he/she should also invest in studying firearms safety. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-feel-they-need-tools-for-killing-people/739849/42 "2015-12-09T09:14:49Z")
> [@iljitsch](#): > > Do they actually want to kill people? That’s a bit of a biased OP, isn’t it? As I understand it, a lot of Americans want firearms to prevent themselves being killed, hurt, or robbed. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-feel-they-need-tools-for-killing-people/739849/43 "2015-12-09T09:46:06Z")
How else you gonna keep the mooslims down!!? ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-feel-they-need-tools-for-killing-people/739849/44 "2015-12-09T11:49:21Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > That’s a bit of a biased OP, isn’t it? As I understand it, a lot of Americans want firearms to prevent themselves being killed, hurt, or robbed. Funnily enough, someone on my Facebook feed has posted a cartoon with the caption: ‘When two Muslims went on a shooting spree in gun-free California, we ended up with 14 dead Americans. When two Muslims went on a shooting spree at a cartoon event in gun-friendly Texas, all we got was two dead Muslims.’ Whoever actually wrote that needs to learn how to use a semi-colon. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![iljitsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/77aa72/32.png) [@iljitsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iljitsch)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-feel-they-need-tools-for-killing-people/739849/45 "2015-12-09T12:29:08Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > That’s a bit of a biased OP, isn’t it? Absolutely. Whether owning a gun is a good idea isn’t something everyone can simply decide for themselves, as these things spew out bullets that can easily end up in other people. ---
**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 9, 2015, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-feel-they-need-tools-for-killing-people/739849/46 "2015-12-09T12:48:51Z")
> [@iljitsch](#): > > Absolutely. Whether owning a gun is a good idea isn’t something everyone can simply decide for themselves, as these things spew out bullets that can easily end up in other people. Well, I’m glad you’ve decided that for the rest of us. ---
**Author:** ![iljitsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/77aa72/32.png) [@iljitsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iljitsch)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-feel-they-need-tools-for-killing-people/739849/47 "2015-12-09T13:07:02Z")
As soon as they make guns that can’t be used to shoot _me_, feel free to stock up. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-feel-they-need-tools-for-killing-people/739849/48 "2015-12-09T13:38:16Z")
> [@iljitsch](#): > > Don’t they realize that statistically, a gun is more likely to kill its owner than anyone else? Point it the other way. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-feel-they-need-tools-for-killing-people/739849/49 "2015-12-09T13:41:44Z")
People from the Hague (like the OP) need to concentrate on the real threat to humanity [in their midst](http://thespudd.com/breaking-natural-news-put-on-trial-for-crimes-against-science-educide-in-the-hague/). ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-feel-they-need-tools-for-killing-people/739849/50 "2015-12-09T13:57:47Z")
So, we’ve established a couple of things in this thread: -the OP is from a culture different from the one s/he questions -the OP has already formed an opinion -That opinion won’t be changed regardless of facts or statistics How unusual. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-feel-they-need-tools-for-killing-people/739849/51 "2015-12-09T14:04:49Z")
Remember, this is an international board and other countries have people who are wrong, too. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-feel-they-need-tools-for-killing-people/739849/52 "2015-12-09T15:23:40Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Remember, this is an international board and other countries have people who are wrong, too. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-feel-they-need-tools-for-killing-people/739849/53 "2015-12-09T15:30:11Z")
> [@iljitsch](#): > > Absolutely. Whether owning a gun is a good idea isn’t something everyone can simply decide for themselves, as these things spew out bullets that can easily end up in other people. Do you trust cops and soldiers to carry guns and use them with appropriate restraint? If so, would you be OK with other people owning guns if they went through the same sort of training on safety and rules of engagement? ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-feel-they-need-tools-for-killing-people/739849/54 "2015-12-09T15:32:13Z")
> [@iljitsch](#): > > Do they actually want to kill people? > > Don’t they realize that statistically, a gun is more likely to kill its owner than anyone else? > > Reading comprehension: they’re called “assault weapons” for a reason. > > How does it make sense that people who aren’t allowed to fly can buy guns legally? I sense you’re not an American, but the short answer is legally owned (hand) guns are first and foremost for ‘defending yourself’. Yes, that may mean killing, and? Criminally owned guns are first and foremost for getting what you want in the easiest way possible. Which may also include killing. All just common sense really… ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-feel-they-need-tools-for-killing-people/739849/55 "2015-12-09T15:32:39Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Do you trust cops and soldiers to carry guns and use them with appropriate restraint? Not entirely. That is part of the reason I have some of my own. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-feel-they-need-tools-for-killing-people/739849/56 "2015-12-09T16:08:19Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Not entirely. That is part of the reason I have some of my own. I assume you’re worried about being deliberately targeted, whereas the OP seems to be worried about getting caught in the crossfire: > [@iljitsch](#): > > …these things spew out bullets that can easily end up in other people. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-feel-they-need-tools-for-killing-people/739849/57 "2015-12-09T16:52:08Z")
> [@that\_darn\_cat](#): > > Actually, that mini-14 appears to have both a flash hider and a bayonet lug, which would technically make it an assault rifle as well. > [Federal Assault Weapons Ban - Wikipedia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Assault_Weapons_Ban#Criteria_of_an_assault_weapon) > > It’s a nitpick of a dumb law, but there you go. I think that could a muzzle break rather than a flash hider. Under the NY SAFE act, I believe both are included in the list of banned features, but not under the 1994 AWB. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-feel-they-need-tools-for-killing-people/739849/58 "2015-12-09T16:55:39Z")
Remember, guns are not just tools for killing people. They’re also useful for robbing Canadian visitors of all the cash they bring into the country, so we can finance our takeover of Alberta. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-feel-they-need-tools-for-killing-people/739849/59 "2015-12-09T17:00:47Z")
> [@iljitsch](#): > > Do they actually want to kill people? > > Don’t they realize that statistically, a gun is more likely to kill its owner than anyone else? > > Reading comprehension: they’re called “assault weapons” for a reason. > > How does it make sense that people who aren’t allowed to fly can buy guns legally? Your car, if you’re allowed to own one, can be used to kill people. How many people have you killed with yours? Are you allowed to own/handle knives? Knives can be used to kill people. How many people have you killed with yours? According to your logic, it’s obvious that you intended to murder people when you purchased a knife. There are many reasons why people’s names have ended up on the no-fly list. Some names are added by mistake. As I understand it, it’s very, very, difficult to remove someone’s name to correct the error. When they figure out how to make the no-fly list error-free, well, I doubt that will ever happen, but when they do, maybe then it could be used for other purposes. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-feel-they-need-tools-for-killing-people/739849/60 "2015-12-09T17:03:45Z")
> [@iljitsch](#): > > Absolutely. Whether owning a gun is a good idea isn’t something everyone can simply decide for themselves, as these things spew out bullets that can easily end up in other people. The voters have spoken. Why do you hate the voters? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-feel-they-need-tools-for-killing-people/739849.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-americans-feel-they-need-tools-for-killing-people/739849.md?page=4)