I was not at all upset, offended or surprised by this thread. I have an old friend that is from Ireland and he was, unlike you, very against anyone owning or using a weapon. I had the worst time trying to understand his position, especially considering the history of Ireland being subjugated at times by their nearest neighbors. I certainly would not have to explain to you the abuses that occurred during some of these "occupations" or even colonializations. He also seemed perfectly comfortable with the state or government having all the power and being responsible for protecting him. He felt safe that way, I absolutely would not. I don't find either position sad really, just different. My conclusion was it was the difference in culture that was mostly responsible. We don't have the same feudal background as Ireland, so we are not as comfortable with the "lords" or the chosen few having all he power over a normal, everyday citizen. We tend to feel safer with less dependence on a central power while some other cultures feel safer with power being concentrated in the hands of the few.
*edit* I just read this and found that it sounded sort of insulting, which was not my intent. What I am trying to say is some people feel safer when they know most of the power and responsibility is held by those they trust in government or the police or military because they think their fellow citizens being armed is not worth the risk that those fellow citizens might irresponsibly use their weapons.
*edit* I just read this and found that it sounded sort of insulting, which was not my intent. What I am trying to say is some people feel safer when they know most of the power and responsibility is held by those they trust in government or the police or military because they think their fellow citizens being armed is not worth the risk that those fellow citizens might irresponsibly use their weapons.
I went to a donnybrook and a football game broke out. 
I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out? 
