[Pitchfork]

I always thought the "we need guns to defend ourselves from the government" argument was a load of nonsense and a refuge for those who wanted to avoid a cost-benefit discussion centered on the real issues of crime and violence. In fact, the whole "no registration" position is based on this canard--keeping the government in the dark regarding personal gun ownership is perceived to be the only way to limit its over-reaching power. Obviously that isn't the case in Iraq.

Since I can think of no logical opposition to gun registration from a pure crime/self-defense perspective.

[jwalsh07]

And this balderdash convinces you that your mindless, unconstitutional, statist position is correct?

There is an additional requirement to possessing and knowing how to use your firearms and that is the balls to do so if the need ever arises. You will find that Americans gun owners are not sheep pal.

[supercat]

What confirmation is there that most people in Iraq have at least one functional weapon, and ammunition for it? Sure the media like to show Iraqis and Palestinians shooting AK's into the air, but that doesn't mean most people have such weapons or ammo to burn in them.

[dighton]

Someone desperately wants attention.

[supercat]

Since I can think of no logical opposition to gun registration from a pure crime/self-defense perspective.

True/false quiz:

1. Criminals would like to have a list of who's armed with what, so they know which houses to target when occupied and which houses to target when empty.
2. It would be better for everyone else if criminals did not have such information.
3. There are no corrupt people in government who would share such information with criminals.

Three simple questions. Care to answer them?

[Puppage]

"Most Iraqi households own at least one gun."

Sorry, I ain't buy'n it. Saddam has oppressed the Iraqi people for more than 20 years.....if they are ALLOWED to have guns, it is MOST definately WITHOUT bullets.

Do you really think Saddam would furnish guns WITH ammo to the very people who he's viciously oppressed for so long. In essence giving them the "chance", however remotely, to overthrow, or kill him?

[EternalVigilance]

Since I can think of no logical opposition to gun registration from a pure crime/self-defense perspective.

That's because you have a basic misunderstanding of what the Second Amendment is all about, and what the original intent of the Framers was.

It had nary a thing to do with either crime or hunting, fundamentally. It had to do with preserving freedom.

And if you really believe that the Iraqi people generally are armed, you're really gullible.

I guess you didn't read the stories just today about Iraqi troops ransacking an entire city in an attempt to find and confiscate every weapon they could. Followed by arrest for anyone who had one, by the way. They also were taking away any young man they thought might be useful to draft into their services.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Bang

[Spruce]

The author of this piece is trying to prove “the right to bear arms” is invalid. The misuse of false data renders the whole effort “swirling-in-the-bowl”.

[Woahhs]

Yeah, I saw a story the other night on a foxnews. Of course I also noted the only stock carried by the Iraqi gun dealer consisted of ancient shotguns and pistols. Oh...magazines too. They just about lined the walls with magazines.

[Jagdgewehr]

Obviously that isn't the case in Iraq.

Obviously?

You must got Pitchfork tines stuck in your eyes and ears.

[TC Rider]

In the March 11 New York Times, Neil MacFarquhar notes in passing, "Most Iraqi households own at least one gun."

Poor Timothy based his whole article on believing something he read in the NY Times? What a dolt.

Here's the quote:

One gauge of that fear is the trade at gun shops. Most Iraqi households own at least one gun, so there has been no particular run on armaments. But some gun shop owners report as much as a 50 percent jump in ammunition sales.

Doesn't say what his home ownership info is base on. To me it sounds like Saddam propaganda.

[weaponeer]

Since I can think of no logical opposition to gun registration from a pure crime/self-defense perspective.

Yeah, you're right. Why don't you'all come on down to my house in Texas and bring your registration form. Just come on in, about 3:00 AM or so.

[mommadooo3]

You are about to embark on an education. Are you honest enough and intelligent enough to RECEIVE such an education?

[Gritty]

The obvious question raised by MacFarquhar's piece is how Iraq got to be, and remains, one of the world's most repressive police states when just about everyone is packing heat.

What proof is there that "everyone" is packing heat - other than a few Baath Party members in good standing? Does anybody in his right mind actually believe Saddam would allow an armed populace?

Besides, what has this got to do with our Constitution? Can you spell R-E-D H-E-R-R-I-N-G?

This is merely an attempt to discredit gun ownership in America by tarring and feathering it by association with Saddam!

[Pafreedom]

An armed society is only free as long as the government will not turn its power upon the citizens. A semi or AK cannot compete with gas or a tank division.

Would our military turn on its citizens. By law no. However if they did there's not much anyone could do to stop them.

Therein lies the difference. Saddam will use his military against its peoples.

I cannot concieve of the situation GW would turn the military on us.

[Myrddin]

You must have missed the article from Northern Iraq today. Saddam's troops were making house to house searches for guns and Kurds. They are disarming the population and separating them into loyal Iraqis and potential revolutionaries. The military people doing the search have overwhelming firepower compared to a limited number of gun owners. Sort of "Krystal Nacht" lite.

I suspect the number of working firearms in the U.S. exceeds the actual population. It's a completely different situation.

[Double Tap]

Come back and play. It is pretty gutless of you to post and run. Especially when so many want to talk to you.

[Sofa King]

"In the March 11 New York Times, Neil MacFarquhar notes in passing, 'Most Iraqi households own at least one gun.'"

Sorry, but believing this would violate my don't-believe-statistics-from-oppressive-dictators rule.

[Myrddin]

Don't bring a pitchfork to a gun fight.

[Centurion2000]

Since I can think of no logical opposition to gun registration from a pure crime/self-defense perspective.

Who gives a f*ck what you think commie ?