My level of familiarity with firearms is:
|
I am ignorant of how they function.
I know the basics of gun safety.
I carry for self-defense, compete or hunt.
I am an firearms instructor.
I know how guns function from watching TV.
|
I would prefer that my kids learn about guns and
safety from: |
Mass media, such as television
Classmates
Army or National Guard drill sergeant
Coach at school
A certified instructor
Me or my spouse
|
Before completing this poll, please remember that possession
of firearms by felons is already illegal in the United States. Therefore,
you should not suggest "prohibiting criminals from having guns" as a solution:
the law already does that. We have also seen that the laws are not very
effective in preventing posession. Do consider, however, the effects of
your suggestions on you, personally. |
Is it morally correct for a police officer to
shoot in order to save an innocent victim from an attack? |
Yes.
No. |
If no police officer is present is it
morally correct for the innocent victim to shoot to protect self
or dependents from an attack? |
Yes.
No. |
The proper response to a drive-by shooting
is...
|
prohibit you and other law-abiding citizens from buying the type of the
car used by the perpetrator.
prohibit you and other law-abiding citizens from buying the type of
the gun used by the perpetrator.
prosecute the perpetrator of the crime
|
The proper response to an arson is...
|
prohibit you and other law-abiding citizens from buying gasoline.
prohibit you and other law-abiding citizens from buying any flammable
fluids, matches and lighters.
prosecute the perpetrator of the crime
|
The proper response to electronic fraud...
|
prohibit you and other law-abiding citizens from buying computers.
limit you and other law-abiding citizens to computers that have no more
than two of the following features: 66MHz or faster processor, 14.4
baud or faster modem, 8MB or more RAM, 500MB or larger hard drive.
prosecute the perpetrator of the crime
|
Over my lifetime, it is
that I or my family would be intended victim of a criminal.
If I am confronted with a life-threatening situation, police will
be there in time to prevent any damage.
|
If my child or my spouse were assaulted, I would...
|
run away and hope my kid or spouse can keep up with me
be a good witness so I can tell the cops what happened later
try to convince the attacker to stop through verbal persuasion
fight to stop the attack
|
If I choose to resist, my primary concern would
be...
|
health of my attacker
my own safety
|
Given a choice, I would prefer to defend
myself with...
|
my bare hands
an ineffective weapon, such as pepper spray
an effective weapon, such as a firearm
|
If I choose to defend myself with a firearm, I would
favor the...
|
least effective type possible
most effective type possible
|
Criminals often gang up on a
single victim. Shooting accurately under stress is often
difficult and more than one shot may be required to stop each
attacker.
If defending myself with a firearm, I would want the
magazine to hold...
|
one round
six rounds
ten rounds
30 rounds
|
Some say that just owning a gun would make you
a violent person; if I just had a handgun, I would...
|
go shoot up the nearest fast food restaurant
go shoot up the nearest Army base
kill somebody I know next time I get angry
none of the above. I would continue to be a peaceful person.
act even more politely than before so as to avoid confrontations
|
Others would say that having weapons simply makes
psychopaths more dangerous. If we only limited everyone to least effective
tools! In your opinion, that idea should also be applied to...
|
alcohol. The Prohibition worked like a charm, let's revive it.
computers. If everyone just stuck with 286, we'd have fewer problems
with hackers.
cars. The Constitution says nothing about the right to drive, and making
everyone drive at 5mph would reduce the number and severity of accidents.
|
Now let's talk about what other people
would do. |
Police officers carry high-capacity handguns and
store shotguns or submachine guns in patrol cars because...
|
the cops are evil and want to kill innocents.
police deparments cannot afford tanks.
such firearms are effective means of self-defense.
|
If all guns were outlawed, I think that all
criminals would...
|
turn in their weapons to police and become model citizens.
turn in their guns and beg for small change
keep their guns and prey on disarmed law-abiding people.
|
If a person planning robbery, rape or murder cannot
get a handgun, they would think...
|
"I better stay home tonight and get a job in the morning".
"I will buy an illegal gun from my drug supplier, then go kill".
"I will grab a knife or a baseball bat instead".
|
A rapist choosing between two victims (one armed,
one unarmed), would prefer to...
|
attack the armed one, so he could "take her gun and use it against
her".
attack the unarmed one because that would be less hazardous.
not to mess with either, as he can't tell which one is armed.
|
Someone planning a drive-by shooting would
use...
|
only legal 10-round magazines because they plan to get caught.
anything he wants because he doesn't plan to get caught.
|
First Amendment to the Constitution: |
Authorizes free speech for official State news agencies.
Protects the individual's right to own quill pens and 18th century manual
printing presses.
Recognizes inalienable individual right to free speech.
|
Second Amendment to the Constitution: |
Authorizes posession of arms by the Army and National Guard.
Protects the individual's right to own flint lock muskets and other
18th century arms.
Recognizes inalienable individual right to keeping and bearing arms.
|
If your elected officials do not trust you with firearms, unrestricted
access to books and the Internet, or with other personal choices, do
you think they represent you well? What steps can you take to regain
your rights?
|