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Why do Americans want to own guns?
I remain baffled by how it's legal to own a gun in the United States. I think even the option of having one is like saying it's OK to kill if you have a good reason. According to a recent piece in Newsweek there are 215 million guns in America -- i.e. more than half the households across the country own one.
This statistic triggered photographer and author of "Armed America" Kyle Cassidy to travel 15,000 miles across the country to ask people who own guns "why do own a gun?", and take portraits of them in their homes.
Some of the reasons were just beyond my comprehension:
- "My shotgun will take care of any intruder, and I know how to use it."
- "I own a shotgun for the same reason I own a fire extinguisher."
- "Gun ownership is a right and privilege, everyone should exercise it. I think everyone should have one, on the range, on the playing field, in the world."
- "It's not the guns that kill, it's the people."
- "I have nothing against guns, I think they are cool and I love that we have them in the house. My friends are very impressed by the collection we have."
- "It's up to us as citizens to protect ourselves, our family and property. Our constitution provides us with the right and method by which to achieve that objective, and I simply choose to exercise that right."
- "I think the ownership of arms is not only a right, but the duty of a free people to themselves and future generation."
[Full podcast here.]
Filed under: Podcasts, North America
Reader Comments (Page 4 of 4)
Michael Oct 31st 2007 8:30PM
I don t really think it s necesary to have to give anyone a reason why you should or want to own a legal gun . You an adult , its your money and your right to own one . Purchase a gun or not. For whatever reason you want .
Dan Oct 31st 2007 9:19PM
All the discussion about the right to own guns.. I own guns, always have, always will. I see guns, especially handguns as pieces of art or mechanical genius.. However , I didn't see the question that I'd like answered. Just how do you keep guns from the hands of the " bad guys"?? Laws,, yeah, right.. if they were law abiding citizens. If someone kicks in my door in the wee hours of the morning, I think I can discard the idea that they are there to socialize. There is no way in the world to keep guns out the hands of the bad guys.. it's a fact. Criminals are younger , stronger , smarter, and they just don't care. When you are assaulted or mugged or robbed , try to have a discussion with them on why they shouldn't do that. You'll end up assaulted, robbed, or dead. At least with a gun in my hand I can attempt to fight back,and if I kill one or more of them, then thats one less that society will have to contend with. It's a war out there folks.. You either stand and fight or cower and die, and if I'm gonna die, somebody's going with me
Forrest Oct 31st 2007 11:06PM
Because We Can , And That is our right ! Better to have one and Not need it ,Than to Need One and Not Have It ! God Bless America ! Semper Fi ..................
laine Oct 31st 2007 11:07PM
Well DUH , I own a gun for protection ! after all , there's not enough police to be around all the time ..... And , I have called them before , And , they never show up ? :-O OMG ! That's why we love our guns & FREEDOM ...
Br4ucenma Nov 1st 2007 4:57PM
Do you carry a spare tire and jack in your car? Do you want to get a flat tire? Hopefully, you will never have to use it. Same can be said of a firearm. Good to have one, hopefully you will never have to use it.
Scott T Nov 1st 2007 3:13PM
Why do I own Guns?
Because I can!
Recap55115 Nov 1st 2007 6:05PM
Guns are insurance. If a disaster or civil distirbance strikes my area, I'm can defend myself and property.
Events like the LA riots, Hurricance Katrina and the riots in Paris are a good reason to own a gun.
Had some of the residents in Paris, had guns, maybe there would not have been so much destruction to the city.
If I'm going down, I'm going down fighting.
Doris Nov 1st 2007 6:30PM
Last summer I witnessed an accident and called 911. They immediately answered and directed my call to "police" - who didn't answer in 12 rings. That drove home the fact that I am responsible for myself. The following week I signed up for a concealed gun class. The crime rate has gone down in Florida because the victims can and do fight back. It's old, but it is true - when guns are outlawed -- only outlaws will have guns.
Deanna Nov 1st 2007 6:27PM
"the option of having one is like saying it's OK to kill if you have a good reason."
Yes. It is ok to kill if you have a good reason. I expect most Americans would agree with this statement, although everyone may not agree on what a "good" reason is. To define "good" reasons, we have laws.
It's part of our culture. I hate to stereotype or speak for other people, but I do believe that in the United States, most people believe that, if someone is trying to kill you, then you should have a chance to get away or stop them - including using force to kill them, if necessary.
I'll even go so far as to say that people who say there is _no_ good reason to kill have never been directly involved in such a situation. Or they're Ghandi or Jesus Christ, in which case they are a more philosophical and giving person than most of us.
(Come on! No good reason to kill? What if someone's attacking your child? What if an animal is attacking your child? Mass murderer? Cancer-ridden patient begging for release from the pain-filled remainder of his life?)
Scott Bishop Nov 3rd 2007 3:02AM
I do not understand how given that we live in the "age of information" anyone would not want to have the ability to protect themselves and their loved ones. Just because you own a weapon (be it gun, knife, taser, baseball bat) does not mean that you would use that weapon just for the sake of using it. Someone comes to my home and attempts to sell me a Kirby vacuum cleaner does not mean I would break out the shot gun… even though I may want to. However if someone were to break into my alarmed house while my wife is home alone… I assure you that I want to know as she is waiting for the police behind a secured door that she has the ability to defend herself should it come to be a life threatening event.
I do not judge those of you who would prefer to have their lives taken rather than take another life. I ask that you understand those of us who would prefer to value our lives and the lives of our loved ones over those who have no value for life.
Jer Nov 9th 2007 5:09PM
You people scare me ... a lot ... you can't punnish someone with death for a B&E, how can you justify that ... innocent until proven guilty (a good thing American's champion throughout the world, although in practice difficult to implement) means you must commit the crime before paying the time and I know no area where the death penalty (which is a barbaric American practice, not that I don't agree with death for death equations, but when death row inmates have their sentences reversed due to new DNA ... makes one wonder what "proven" is and just how often courts get it wrong) can be applied to a B&E ... no one ever got convicted for the "potential" to rape, the "potential" to kill in a court of law, so why should a gun owner be able to convict and carry out a sentence for the "potential" to do these things ... get off your self righteous pedistals trying to justify the death of a person whos blood is on your hands and start to love one another ... religious right dude - WWJD, not exactly sure, but he certainly wouldn't carry a handgun.
Jer Nov 9th 2007 5:18PM
... I do like the comment re: what the intention of the right to bear arms came from - protection against oppressive regeims ... so those using it to justify particular uses of the arms they have the right to own should use the proper context.
... I am Canadian, we can own guns, but the attitude is definately different ... and from my understanding the crime rate is lower (more gun control, no death penalty, less crime, go figure).
BrotherMalcolm Dec 18th 2007 10:57PM
Its part of our history and one of the many visions our Fore Fathers had for our country. The govt will only respect its people if it has some fear of them. History has shown us this far to often.
Look at Russia now - Putin said he will step down IF the right man is elected - "the right man" - is buddy.
His buddy who will then appoint him prime minister. Their "Constiution" says only two terms. But he has no fear of his unarmed people. The people must hope for a military coup if they wish to dethrown a dictator (who gathers votes at gun point and via economic sanctions).
First they will come for your guns, then they come for your rights.