FightingFat:
Sometimes I find myself distressed by the attitudes of posters here. I have to say that this has been the most distressing series of posts I have experienced on CA. I can’t reconcile this pro-gun attitude with my own faith. I am frankly shocked that some have posted on this thread about a Patron Saint of gun-handlers, and priests who tote weapons.
I think there is an argument for self defense, wouldn’t argue that, but I cannot believe that meeting violence with violence is a way forward for humanity. Violence on this sort of level is not something I have had cause to seriously contemplate. I have always been brought up that it is wrong to kill someone- to take a life. I do not think, ‘given these circumstances I would feel justified in taking a life…’ I just think that I would not. If I were killed as a consequence of that decision I will hope that I meet my heavenly Father with a sound conscience. I find myself uncomfortable and deeply saddened that we have such incredibly different views and yet are all members of the one Church.
FightingFat: I understand your perspective, but I don’t agree with it. I think it may be a cultural issue. You, as a european, like many other europeans, believe the premise that violence begets violence. In some limited cases this may be true, however, many Americans like myself, hold the opinion that the appearance of weakness begets violence.
Criminals will attack a person they think is weak. They ususally will not attack a person they think is stronger (or has the ability to cause them harm). Likewise with countries. Do you think Saddam would have attacked Kuwait if he thought he would have been defeated? Superior force, in most cases, is a deterrent to violence.
Now one may ask why the attacks on the US forces in Iraq by terrorists & insurgents, when obviously the US has more force. I see it as a couple of reasons: 1) They believe the American public is weak, and with continued attacks and televised beheadings, the weak American people will demand withdraw. Again, the perception of weakness is encouraging the terrorists / insurgents. 2) Many don’t fear loss of their own life due to skewed religious beliefs. The solution in this case is complex, and probably better discussed in a different thread. But this reason, I believe, is not as prevalent as reason 1).
My point here is to basically address your concern / wondering about why we would want to carry weapons, if the purpose of those weapons is to kill. They are not only for killing, but also for intimidating, so you don’t have to use them to kill. Also, for a law abiding person like myself, guns are for self defense, therefore, I don’t see any moral issues with carrying one…the CCC supports my view.