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I imagine that each of us has been asked this question (at least once) by some well-indoctrinated hoplophobe (person with an unreasonable fear of weapons). It also appears in rhetorical form in inumerable op-eds, editorials and political speeches. The argument (such as it is) is that since we have police, there is no need for regular citizens to own guns; we can depend on our police and armed forces to protect us from harm.
As Dr. Phil might say, "How's that working out for you?"
A couple of days ago, I was asked "the question" yet again and came up with a new answer:
Jim
As Dr. Phil might say, "How's that working out for you?"
A couple of days ago, I was asked "the question" yet again and came up with a new answer:
It's true that in the suburban town where I live there is a well-trained and well-armed police force sworn to uphold the laws and protect the citizenry from the depredations of criminals. They are dedicated men and women who put their lives on the line every day.
However, for this city of over 90,000 people, there are - at most - ten police officers on patrol at any one time. This counts school resource officers and the sergeant and lieutenant and is considered to be a well-staffed police department, in comparison to surrounding cities and towns. And even if none of them are occupied with other matters, it takes them an average of five minutes to arrive on-scene. A lot can happen in five minutes.
Still, your point might be that the risk of those five minutes is the price I pay for not having a gun in my house, threatening my daily existence with its malevolent presence. I should place my trust in the government to have my best interests at heart, you might argue. Well, why should we just stop at guns?
After all, just look at the carnage caused by irresponsible reporting in the news. A reporter writes a story about how police shot an unarmed "person of color" and a major city erupts in rioting and murder. Shouldn't the government be in charge of reporting the news? Why should we risk having irresponsible, mentally ill or even criminal people reporting the news? Just think of the lives that could be saved.
Whenever you give the government a monopoly - be it of guns, media, healthcare or electricity - you have to rely on the benificence and competence of those in power (and the bureaucracy); you are at their mercy. And we've seen how that plays out in things like the VA scandal, the IRS scandal, the Secret Service scandal....I could go on, but you get the point. The bigger government gets and the more power it accrues, the less accountable it becomes.
If the responsibility of defending yourself is too great, then you are free to rely on the police; they are there for you. But please, don't tie my hands just because yours are trembling.
However, for this city of over 90,000 people, there are - at most - ten police officers on patrol at any one time. This counts school resource officers and the sergeant and lieutenant and is considered to be a well-staffed police department, in comparison to surrounding cities and towns. And even if none of them are occupied with other matters, it takes them an average of five minutes to arrive on-scene. A lot can happen in five minutes.
Still, your point might be that the risk of those five minutes is the price I pay for not having a gun in my house, threatening my daily existence with its malevolent presence. I should place my trust in the government to have my best interests at heart, you might argue. Well, why should we just stop at guns?
After all, just look at the carnage caused by irresponsible reporting in the news. A reporter writes a story about how police shot an unarmed "person of color" and a major city erupts in rioting and murder. Shouldn't the government be in charge of reporting the news? Why should we risk having irresponsible, mentally ill or even criminal people reporting the news? Just think of the lives that could be saved.
Whenever you give the government a monopoly - be it of guns, media, healthcare or electricity - you have to rely on the benificence and competence of those in power (and the bureaucracy); you are at their mercy. And we've seen how that plays out in things like the VA scandal, the IRS scandal, the Secret Service scandal....I could go on, but you get the point. The bigger government gets and the more power it accrues, the less accountable it becomes.
If the responsibility of defending yourself is too great, then you are free to rely on the police; they are there for you. But please, don't tie my hands just because yours are trembling.
Jim
