As a combat
veteran I have increasingly been concerned about frequent statements that guns
protect citizens and are needed for self-defense. As the number of guns
increase, particularly assault weapons similar to the M-16 I used in Vietnam,
the number of violent, senseless deaths has concomitantly risen. Most of these
deaths are preventable. Few of the mainly conservative "macho men" realize what
a round from one of these weapons does to the body. Depending on the type of
round used (i.e. armor piercing) with the high muzzle velocity of these weapons
the damage produced can be significant and few survive it. I can tell you that
these weapons will essentially blow a hole at the exit point on a human body the
size of a basketball or larger. Believe me, you will have to live with that
vision for the rest of you life. Don't believe the hype that you need these
weapons for self defense. Read the study from Harvard below, and click on the
link for substantiating information.
Gun
Threats and Self-Defense Gun Use:
Guns are not used millions of times each year in
self-defense
Most purported self-defense gun uses are gun uses in
escalating arguments, and are both socially undesirable and illegal
Firearms are used far more often to intimidate than in self-defense
Guns in the home are used more often to intimidate intimates than to thwart
crime
Adolescents are far more likely to be threatened with a gun than to use one in
self-defense
Criminals who are shot are typically the victims of crime
Few
criminals are shot by "decent law-abiding citizens"
Self-defense gun use is rare and not more effective at preventing injury than
other protective actions
M.
Steven Shackley
Vietnam service 1969-1970