Having read through this lengthy thread this last statement has to be one of the most irrational and illogical ones yet (and in with what you've put before in this thread that is saying something). "I don't think guns will help if a government attacks its people." The only thing that makes any sense in that statement is "I don't think".
I appreciate that most people are against my opinions on this issue. But just because you disagree with what I say doesn't mean I'm irrational. My culture is very different to yours and others. From an outsider's perspective owning guns seems ridiculous. I find it tragic that the US possesses an attitude that guns provide a solution to conflict, rather than using peaceful means. You can disagree with this, but don't then assert that I'm being illogical.
How could you possibly think that a civilian population having guns to defend themselves from a government that attacks its own people would not help them? Do you think being disarmed is going to be of any use when someone with a gun wants to use it on you?
I'm not going to shoot someone to solve a problem, I'm not a psychopath. If I was in a situation where someone was pointing a gun at me and I had the opportunity to shoot them first, I wouldn't do it. I would live the rest of my life knowing that I terminated one's life and potentially put other lives around me at risk. The emotional trauma would be worse than the physical. Instead, I approach this possibility from a non-violent stance. I would make sure my home possesses sufficient security measures so people can't just break in and I advocate education for all people. The empowerment gained from knowledge exceeds the desire to do bad things I believe.
In case you were unaware there were 13 colonies that did just that when the government of England attacked them for disagreeing with their policies and trying to use discourse which the people in power didn't particularly care for. And it turned out that it was pretty effective in stopping them.
Bad example to use. We don't live in 17th century Europe. And don't use the American Civil War either. We don't live in the 19th century anymore either. To compare our society to other extremely violent societies is meaningless. Established countries such as the US, UK, Australia, Malayasia, etc aren't going to revert to such barbaric behaviour just like that, and then guns become useful. And even if this hypothetically did occur, killing people is not the solution.
And as for other governments intervening it is not the job or obligation of any other nation to keep another country's household in order if the people living there have the ability to handle it themselves. Also It it is not my intention to be condescending but I highly doubt that Australia would be able to do diddly squat against the US military if it turned against its own people.
I don't believe this is true. I thought the role of organisations such as the UN were to ensure the citizens of its member countries are protected from its governments. And you've dug yourself a hole here too. So you claim that American citizens can handle civil dispute themselves, but other countries military won't be any match to the American military. Using this logic, American citizens must be better at killing armed American soldiers than trained soldiers in other countries are. No, that is a ridiculous claim; it seems you are over-estimating your ability to murder people.
A gun is no different than any other tool or instrument. You can use it irresponsibly, i.e. tyrannical governments that abuse their people and criminals, or you can use it responsibly to preserve your freedom, i.e. to defend yourself against those kinds of threats. Not being killed or bludgeoned into submission, something you see all over the world in countries where the civilians have no means to defend themselves, is kind of a prerequisite to assert your freedom regardless of who you are.
Using a gun to preserve your freedom, what a joke. This is insanity in my opinion. If you seriously need to possess a weapon to protect your rights, your country needs help immediately. Like I have said numerous times, the way for one's rights to be respected is through democratic discussion and discourse, not murdering people. Having debates consistently and discussing issues openly is the way citizens can express their freedoms most constructively. And education is another key ingredient to empower a nation, again not a means to murder anyone.