Reply #31: You have made several mistakes.

[GreenStormCloud]

The rash of gun shootings have all happened in gun-free zones. They don't happen in places where the shooter may encounter armed opposition. In fact, there have been several cases in which a mass shooter was stopped early by an armed citizen.

You assume that taking my guns away from me will somehow disarm the criminal. Mexico has draconian gun laws. Private ownership of gun is all but forbidden. There is only one legal gun store in the country, in Mexico City. Yet, the cartels are fighting with real machine guns, rockets, grenades, and real AK-47s. None of those are available at gun shows. Criminals, by their nature, don't care about laws, and will freely violate gun laws, just as they do now.

some one who wants to kill you will not announce it beforehand; Really? Actually, exactly that happens quite a bit. It is common in domestic violence to have death threats. Muggers will seek to take you by surprise, but if one practices situational awareness you can usually spot the threat (In my wife's situation, she spotted the criminal while he was in the approach phase of the attack.)

Rearding mass shooters. It is true that the shooter will likely be able to get off the first shots, due to surprise. It is unlikely, possible but unlikely, that you will be the first target. Once the shooting starts, you can go for your gun.

CCW holders have compiled a strong safety record. With guns, we are several times safer than the general public. We are even safer that the police. In fact, we are safer than lightning. You are about 27 times more likely to be struck by lightning than to be killed by a CCWer.

Regarding knives. I am not worried about drive-by shootings as I don't hang out around gang members or their hangouts. A mugger with a knife is a much greater possibility. Since a mugger is going to try to get close to me anyway, I need something to stop him at a distance. BTW - A fit person with a knife can cover 21 feet and cut you faster than you can react, unless you have already seen him and prepared for the rush.

If taking guns away made places safer, then why does the UK have a violent crime rate that is several times what ours is? Why is Mexico a war zone?