Actually no, fear stems from lack of knowledge, and the sensation that power is in an uncontrollable source that will attempt to use it to oppress you. Hence what gives us the most fear is that the only guns out there are in the hands of the government and criminals (and sometimes, there isn't much distinction between the two) Owning a gun, having the knowledge of how to use it properly, and having the knowledge that your freinds, neighbors, and other citizens also have this as well can be incredibly theraputic for these issues.
Have you heard the expression that "There's never a cop around when you need them"? There's a reason for this, and it's because A) The number of police officers that the government is willing to invest in is always only barely high enough to keep the criminal activity within that city in check, if even that, and B) Police officers have to wear uniforms and generally can be easily spotted while patroling.
When you and the citizens in your community are the people with the guns, YOU are the ones who are capable, if neccesary, of protecting yoruselves and others from these circumstances. Is it often nothing more than a placebo? Perhaps, but it is a placebo that can WORK when circumstances require it.
And as I've said before, there is also the symbolic point of owning guns, as it represents the fact that our government is serving US. We are the ones who create and manage it for the purpose of handling the difficulties that are beyond the scope of individial communities, and if it isn't doing its job, we are capable of using force to fix that issue. If a government is the only place in which armament can be found, then there is no way for the citizenry to object to an improper government.
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Seppukuties is like LBP Lite, on crack. Play it already!Currently wrapped up in: Half Life, Portal, and User Created Source Mods
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