Do the facts back us up?
I got into a debate with one of my professors over gun rights the other day. Unlike many other, I think this one has an open mind on the issue and could be persuaded. He challenged me to produce some research which proves my point: An armed citizen is a safe citizen.
My first idea was to use John Lott's "More Guns: Less Crime". Unfortunatly, it appears that many of the methods used were flawed. Maybe the reviews were written by raving lunatic liberals, I don't know....Do any of our members know of any solidly pro-gun studies?
I'll keep fighting, but going into a serious discussion without facts is like going into a gunfight without bullets....
My first idea was to use John Lott's "More Guns: Less Crime". Unfortunatly, it appears that many of the methods used were flawed. Maybe the reviews were written by raving lunatic liberals, I don't know....Do any of our members know of any solidly pro-gun studies?
I'll keep fighting, but going into a serious discussion without facts is like going into a gunfight without bullets....
0
-
Ask him to prove that an armed law abiding citizen is dangerous or that an unarmed citizen is safer than an armed one. You shouldn't have to prove that you deserve your rights. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by fastcarsgofast
You shouldn't have to prove that you deserve your rights.
I shouldn't, and even if the facts are against me I'll fight tooth and nail to keep mine.
But that way of thinking won't persuade many to join our side.0 -
The FBI has statistics from studies, that show that when a state passes a "shall issue" CCW law, the violent crime rate goes down. Might want to look on their site.
Here is another site that may help. It states that where the violent crime rate does increase, it does so at a slower pace in a right to carry state, than a NON-right to carry state.
http://newsbusters.org/node/91400 -
I'd check with the NRA, related what the situation is and ask what studies are available. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by HighVolumeOfFire
going into a serious discussion without facts is like going into a gunfight without bullets....bwaaahahaha! anti-gun liberls do it every day. it's just that you wouldn't stoop as low as their tactics would require.0 -
a recent tactic I've adopted is similar to some of the sentiment above:
whether or not we are safer armed or unarmed doesn't matter. The Constitution guarantees us the right to be armed, EVEN IF SUCH A SITUATION IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN IF WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT RIGHT. If we as a society decide we are better off collectively unarmed, WE STILL HAVE TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION TO ACCOMPLISH THIS GOAL.0 -
There are stats on the web that show the crime rate in various cities, states etc....I know you are saying "yea, so?" BUT you could point out with the stats backing you up that the states with the most gun control have the highest crime rate, and the states with the least gun control has the lowest..And yes what was just said is true.. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by nemesisenforcer
a recent tactic I've adopted is similar to some of the sentiment above:
whether or not we are safer armed or unarmed doesn't matter. The Constitution guarantees us the right to be armed, EVEN IF SUCH A SITUATION IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN IF WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT RIGHT. If we as a society decide we are better off collectively unarmed, WE STILL HAVE TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION TO ACCOMPLISH THIS GOAL.
X-ring!0 -
How many people own guns and just how many crimes are gun related? 0 -
HVOF, its real simple really. Look at the crime rate here in KY, look at the amount of firearms in KY, and the easy access to them. Now look at the crime rate in say New York, the amount of firearms, and how restricted they are. I'd be willing to say that they have more crime in a month than we have in a year. 0 -
You might see what you can find out about a crime study done around 1996 and 1997 by the University of Chicago , by Criminologists John Lott and David Mustard
I keep meaning to get this book
More Guns, Less Crime: Understanding Crime and Gun-Control Laws
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0226493644/icarryorg-20?dev-t=1ZQT1KGQZ3BAHG3Z22R20 -
This, as stated above is the correct answer. All other considerations...hunting, crime..all of it..is a red hering.
quote:whether or not we are safer armed or unarmed doesn't matter. The Constitution guarantees us the right to be armed, EVEN IF SUCH A SITUATION IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN IF WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT RIGHT. If we as a society decide we are better off collectively unarmed, WE STILL HAVE TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION TO ACCOMPLISH THIS GOAL.
THIS simple statement OUGHT to be the bedrock of the NRA...and EVERY gun control argument.0 -
I would ask him to prove he is not an idiot for asking for proof to a question that is on the level of asking to prove that water is wet. 0 -
Aside from nemesisenforcer's very astute observation, I would also like to add that human psychology dictates that gun control makes gun violence and/or accidental deaths more likely as prohibition-spawned ignorance always leads to trouble.
If the argument can be made that sex education leads to a reduction in unwanted or unplanned pregnancies (a mode of thinking I believe in), the same should and does hold true for firearms. The more people know and the more they are educated on the subject, the less likely we are to encounter unexpected and unwanted consequences.0 -
One of the best places to look is at the violent crime statitics of the United Kingdom. As we all know, they have some draconian gun laws over there and their violent crime rates are skyrocketing. 0 -
I suggest that you cannot "prove" the point that you are debating. Your prof is simply using the "old tool" that profs have used forever when debating anything, particularly with a student. However, your efforts will further your education with regard to the info that is available and will strengthen your argument in this (and future) debates. Profs are notorious for loving to debate --- particularly an issue to which there is no answer. Have used that one myself. Good Hunting. 0 -
ask a math major friend to prove the point:
he will walk in, ask the professor if he is unarmed, then mug him, QED [:D]0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
18 comments