# Why do you need a gun? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 11, 2013, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-a-gun/646873 "2013-01-11T17:22:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 22
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2013, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-a-gun/646873/421 "2013-01-17T02:24:22Z")
> [@Anonymous User](#): > > I am not talking about public places because that’s a different story. The shooting in Newtown happened due to poor security. At our local elementary school, they literally lock the door and it doesn’t open until you push a button. But for now, that is irrelevant because you having a gun in your house is not going to stop these kinds of public events. Ooh, a locked door and a _button_! Are you aware that this was the exact same security system used at the Newtown school? He simply shot through the glass. > [@](#): > > Many argue that the necessity of owning a gun is so that you can defend yourself. Now people don’t carry around a gun in public, do they? No! They keep them at home. So if one’s gun stays at home all the time, what other purpose can it serve other than to protect him/herself from attacks at their house? Yes, they do! You really are not doing yourself any favors in this discussion when you make it clear you have no idea what you’re talking about. > **[Concealed carry in the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concealed_carry_in_the_United_States)** > > Concealed carry, or carrying a concealed weapon (CCW), is the practice of carrying a weapon (such as a handgun) in public in a concealed manner, either on one's person or in close proximity. CCW is often practiced as a means of self-defense. Following the Supreme Court's NYSRPA v. Bruen (2022) decision, all states in the United States were required to allow for concealed carry of a handgun either permitlessly or with a permit, although the difficulty in obtaining a permit varies per jurisdiction.... ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2013, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-a-gun/646873/422 "2013-01-17T02:24:38Z")
Unless I’m misunderstanding the question, just off the top of my head the crimes that could be committed by an illegal gun possessor against you in your home are robbery, vandalism, arson, rape, kidnapping, aggravated assault, and murder. ---
**Author:** ![R3d\_Anonymous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/aeb1de/32.png) [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2013, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-a-gun/646873/423 "2013-01-17T02:32:13Z")
Thanks **Lumpy**. But Absolute is right. I really have no idea what I am talking about. So Lumpy save those as they may come in handy later, but I would like to start by asking a very basic question. Do you need a gun? Don’t answer why. Just answer with a yes or a no. Do you need a gun? What do you think? ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2013, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-a-gun/646873/424 "2013-01-17T02:45:45Z")
> [@Anonymous User](#): > > The shooting in Newtown happened due to poor security. At our local elementary school, they literally lock the door and it doesn’t open until you push a button. Why would an elementary school need to be locked down in the first place? When my kids went through school, at all levels there were no locks anywhere, anyone could walk in off the street and into any classroom if they wanted to. They just didn’t. I live in a society where people own weapons, but not handguns, and I have no fear of walking the streets at night unarmed. I don’t need weapons for protection and I must confess I worry about what kind of society people who believe that they do, live in. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2013, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-a-gun/646873/425 "2013-01-17T03:10:19Z")
> [@Anonymous User](#): > > Thanks **Lumpy**. > > But Absolute is right. I really have no idea what I am talking about. > > So Lumpy save those as they may come in handy later, but I would like to start by asking a very basic question. > > Do you need a gun? Don’t answer why. Just answer with a yes or a no. Do you need a gun? What do you think? Yes. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2013, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-a-gun/646873/426 "2013-01-17T03:17:59Z")
> [@Anonymous User](#): > > Do you need a gun? Don’t answer why. Just answer with a yes or a no. Do you need a gun? What do you think? No. I don’t “need” anything more than food and water. Everything else is something I want because it will make my life better in some way. EDIT: I am glad you decided to stick around the board, by the way. ---
**Author:** ![R3d\_Anonymous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/aeb1de/32.png) [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2013, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-a-gun/646873/427 "2013-01-17T03:32:44Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Yes. Why? > [@Absolute](#): > > No. > > I don’t “need” anything more than food and water. Everything else is something I want because it will make my life better in some way. > > EDIT: I am glad you decided to stick around the board, by the way. Do you own a gun? ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2013, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-a-gun/646873/428 "2013-01-17T03:38:16Z")
> [@Anonymous User](#): > > Do you need a gun? Don’t answer why. Just answer with a yes or a no. Do you need a gun? Yes. And? ---
**Author:** ![R3d\_Anonymous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/aeb1de/32.png) [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2013, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-a-gun/646873/429 "2013-01-17T03:41:14Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > Yes. > > And? Define “need”. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2013, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-a-gun/646873/430 "2013-01-17T03:56:35Z")
> [@Anonymous User](#): > > Do you own a gun? Yes. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2013, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-a-gun/646873/431 "2013-01-17T04:14:50Z")
> [@Anonymous User](#): > > Define “need”. You said, and I quote, “Just answer with a yes or a no.” With respect, I’m not going to play 20 guesses with you here for some sort of rhetorical or gotcha thing. Present your real, ultimate question or point forthrightly. ---
**Author:** ![R3d\_Anonymous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/aeb1de/32.png) [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2013, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-a-gun/646873/432 "2013-01-17T11:47:57Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > Yes. Why? ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2013, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-a-gun/646873/433 "2013-01-17T13:48:59Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > You said, and I quote, “Just answer with a yes or a no.” > > With respect, I’m not going to play 20 guesses with you here for some sort of rhetorical or gotcha thing. Present your real, ultimate question or point forthrightly. Agree with what **Una** said, but just the same I’ll answer “why do I need a gun?” [ol] [li]point defense against home invasion[/li][li]point defense against robbery or assault in public[/li][li]contribute to collective security of society by points one and two[/li][li]resist the historically disastrous trend toward disarming the populace[/li][/ol] ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2013, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-a-gun/646873/434 "2013-01-17T14:05:39Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > resist the historically disastrous trend toward disarming the populace Hitler made gun ownership easier in Germany by relaxing the gun ban imposed after the Treaty of Versaille in 1919. Just sayin’. ---
**Author:** ![R3d\_Anonymous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/aeb1de/32.png) [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2013, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-a-gun/646873/435 "2013-01-17T14:17:19Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Agree with what **Una** said, but just the same I’ll answer “why do I need a gun?” > [ol] > [li]point defense against home invasion[/li][li]point defense against robbery or assault in public[/li][li]contribute to collective security of society by points one and two[/li][li]resist the historically disastrous trend toward disarming the populace[/li][/ol] 😃 I know. That was pretty ridiculous of me. 1. Do you have a security system in your house? 2. Is there another way to defend yourself from assault in public than carrying a gun? 3. Again, is there another way to make society more secure other than owning and carrying a gun? 4. Is disarming the populance bad? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2013, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-a-gun/646873/436 "2013-01-17T14:21:16Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Hitler made gun ownership easier in Germany by relaxing the gun ban imposed after the Treaty of Versaille in 1919. Just sayin’. [You don’t really want to go there.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_politics_in_Germany#The_1938_German_Weapons_Act) ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2013, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-a-gun/646873/437 "2013-01-17T14:23:41Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > [You don’t really want to go there.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_politics_in_Germany#The_1938_German_Weapons_Act) Neither do you. The Gun Act of 1938 made it easier to own guns compared to the previous law imposed after the Treaty of Versaille. ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2013, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-a-gun/646873/438 "2013-01-17T14:36:39Z")
> [@Kable](#): > > You sound like you work for an insurance company. Or maybe someone who just wants to make guns expensive enough to keep them away from the poorer minorities. Are you republican? I don’t work nor have I ever worked for an Insurqnce Company. I am a registered Republican but vote for the person I think best to lead the country, township, town, state, etc. Insurance is manditory for people who own or drive a car, and most places that fund a car makes sure the owner has insurance. Doing so may make people be more responsible. Even just haing a gun registerd and bought for protection didn’t do Mrs Lanza, her son or 26 other people much good did it?It would however help the familes of the victums, even that would not compensate fully for their loss but may make them think of were their gun is and who may be using it with or with out permission. People should do all they can to keep guns away from being stolen. They should check and make sure it was in a safe place from family members who are violent, or are mentally ill. I do not think’ just registering stops one from using a gun for killing another person etc. Most people who register don’t buy guns with the intent to kill another human being,just like a person doesn’t buy a car with the intent of having an accident. And I would guess a lot of the killing in big cities done by people have no money to buy guns, and steal them, or in the Lanza case the boy was able to get his mother’s! ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2013, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-a-gun/646873/439 "2013-01-17T14:42:11Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > Go ahead, ban guns. It really doesn’t matter. Millions of scofflaws will report their guns were lost or stolen and will keep them in the house for an emergency; or maybe even continue to conceal-carry. An underground cottage industry of gunsmiths who have the necessary tools and skills to crank out guns and magazines will thrive. The black market for hijacked, smuggled or homemade guns will be more lucrative than ever, and continue to supply the drug dealers and gang members. Police will be bushwacked for their firearms. If home 3D printing ever takes off, there will inevitably be specs for making guns with them. The “War on Guns” will continue decade after decade, never reducing the prevalence of guns below a certain threshold. And yes, massacres will continue to happen occasionally- with illegal guns, with machetes, with bombs, with gasoline, with poison. With regards to guns, the US will become another Mexico. And the one thing that will never, ever happen is that we’ll get the violence-free haven of safety the banners dream of. Congratulations gun banners, I hope you’ll be happy. :mad: It is too late to ban guns,and people will kill ohters in any way they can, but if a gun owner or seller was made to make sure the person has insurance(like auto owners are) the people would at least some compansation. And maybe take extra care, that other people cannot get access to their gun. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2013, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-a-gun/646873/440 "2013-01-17T14:44:03Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Neither do you. The Gun Act of 1938 made it easier to own guns compared to the previous law imposed after the Treaty of Versaille. [Regulations on Weapons Ownership (1919)](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_politics_in_Germany#Restrictions_imposed_by_the_treaty_of_Versailles) > [@](#): > > In 1919, the German government passed the Regulations on Weapons Ownership, which declared that “all firearms, as well as all kinds of firearms ammunition, are to be surrendered immediately.”[2] Under the regulations, anyone found in possession of a firearm or ammunition was subject to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of 100,000 marks. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-a-gun/646873.md?page=21) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-need-a-gun/646873.md?page=23)