The rationality of fear

[Atypical Liberal]

One of the common arguments by the anti-firearm folks is that people who own or carry firearms are simply afraid, and their fear is driving them to own or carry firearms. Since most people are unlikely to need a firearm to defend themselves, they say that such behavior is irrational.

But isn't the attempt to ban or restrict firearms also driven by fear? And if the odds of needing a firearm to defend yourself against an attacker are slim, then that means that he odds of being attacked by someone with a firearm are slim. So by the same logic, isn't attempting to ban or restrict firearms also irrational?

[lawodevolution]

1. "But isn't the attempt to ban or restrict firearms also driven by fear?"

Yes, anti gun groups are based on: Ignorance => Fear => Hate.

[flamin lib]

2. Neither is entirely irrational, nor entirely rational.

What is irrational is the stand my wife takes; grind them all into very fine metal filings and distribute them to schools to teach magnetic patterns to children or the equally strident not no way no how on any restriction of any aspect of regulation and a clinging to the opinion that whatever it is it's not constitutional in the face of all evidence to the contrary.

[guitar man]

13. One thing to remember

Many of us who are painted with the "not no way no how on any restriction" label are perfectly fine with the level of restriction and regulation that exists as it is today that includes over 22,000 federal state and local laws. Speaking for myself, I am not necessarily against more laws provided that they actually address something not already covered by existing laws that are not being enforced, and that such new laws serve a real purpose and are not just "feel good" measures.

[flamin lib]

14. Then, you are not one of the not-no-way minority--and I knew that. nt

[bluerum]

3. Aside from the fact that firearm related crime by definition requires a firearm

yes. Point being, being afraid of someone pointing a gun is less irrational than a generalized fear that compels you to own a firearm.

I am not convinced that gun owner's are afraid of something- except maybe gun regulation. But gun owners do need to recognize the generalized concern that non-gun owners have towards guns.

[shadowrider]

4. How many times has a legal CCW holder pulled a gun and point it at you?

None?

What's there to fear?

[Katya Mullethov]

6. I am about as concerned

As a spider might be with his own wake . People hurt themselves over insects like us all the time . They holler , they trip ,they fall , or just haul off and smack their face into the nearest tree .

It was amusing for a good while , but that was a long time ago .

[Atypical Liberal]

5. But isn't it the same fear?

Point being, being afraid of someone pointing a gun is less irrational than a generalized fear that compels you to own a firearm.

It seems to me that both cases have the same fear: Fear of someone pointing a gun at you.

Some people channel this fear by trying to get rid of guns, others are channeling this fear by deciding to arm themselves.

In terms of rationality, or at least practicality, you'll be a lot more successful in your goals with the later choice than the former, at least for the foreseeable future.

[Glassunion]

10. I do see your point, however I slightly disagree.

Point being, being afraid of someone pointing a gun is less irrational than a generalized fear that compels you to own a firearm.

I think both rationals are equal on their face as both instances are a generalized fear.

[petronius]

7. When it comes to fear of concealed carriers, it's actually less rational

The risk of violent criminals is higher than the risk from law-abiding carriers. So, if the concealed-carriers are irrational for fearing a low-probability event, the anti-concealed-carriers are even more illogical for fearing an even lower-likelihood possibility...

[Atypical Liberal]

9. Of course it is.

It's also less irrational because you can be assaulted with lots of other things besides other firearms.

But in the end, it's fear of bodily harm that is driving both positions. If it is irrational to carry a firearm due to fear of bodily harm being inflicted on oneself, then it is at least as irrational to ban firearms out of the same fear.

[guitar man]

8. I carry one because I'm afraid

I'm afraid of getting shot again. I've been shot once by an armed criminal while I was unarmed, I don't care to repeat that event....

[Glassunion]

11. oops!! 2nd time this week... Posted in wrong spot.

[Glassunion]

12. Thought to ponder.

How is it, that it can be said that a legal gun owner’s point of view is invalid because they are living in a false fear of what the public may do to them, however at the same time make the argument that legal gun owners need to be feared because of what they may do to others in public?

Me... I'm just playing the odds.

[beevul]

15. Don't break the meme...

Don't break the meme...its just not fair...or something...

[flamin lib]

16. Rationality is on a sliding scale.

I live in Dallas/Ft Worth. There are parts of east Ft Worth or west Dallas and in some parts of the mid-cities that make it entirely irrational to not own/carry a gun. Unfortunately the people who live there can rarely afford a gun of any description. "Hmmmm, do I buy the $75 'Saturday night special' or pay rent? Dry and warm is good . . ."

Short of having the Government issue a weapon and provide training (Article I section 8 paragraph 16) they are shit out of luck. For us it's an esoteric discussion point.

Me, I live in a very quiet area. For me carrying a gun is a pound or so of unnecessary weight. I have the feeling, but no data to support it, that the participants here are mostly like me.

[beevul]

17. Rationality is also in the eye of the beholder. N/T

[cleanhippie]

18. Fear, indeed.

[Bold Lib]

19. indeed