Is this the way to treat a Mugger?

[MMI]

I would be very careful about making personal attacks in the thread, it is frowned upon here...

... And I need to ask a question, "Is it criminal to want gun control?" I wonder when that law came into being.

I agree the story was a wonderful one and Diaz deserves some real form of recognition, a knighthood, perhaps. As for your comments about the NRA, I couldn’t agree more. I suspect even a lot of people who support widespread gun-ownership shudder when they read some of the crap the NRA peddles. As to your question, it’s certainly not criminal to want to control guns in the UK, and we aren’t paranoid about walking through towns and cities unarmed. There are places we avoid, and that’s just as effective a means of defence as packing heat.

But, alas, denuseri has found me out as I knew I would be. I started this thread knowing it would cause emotions to run hot, as mine do, over gun control. I think this is an important issue and it cannot be discussed too often if opinions are to be changed, or moulded, or reinforced. I apologise if my subterfuge has been misinterpreted

If I am attacked personally as a result, so what? I'm a big boy. I’ll endeavour not to make personal attacks on anyone here, too, although I can be very sarcastic at times, and I suppose that’s almost as offensive as a personal attack.

I also know people here are drawing upon personal experiences which cannot help but influence their positions. Sometimes they could feel that what is being said here is totally insensitive and so far removed from reality as to have no bearing on life as we know it. So far as I can see, most, if not all posts have been kept on an impersonal and hypothetical level.

Besides I have locked horns with people here on several occasions on this and other topics. We may argue vehemently, but I'm sure we'd be prepared to stand each other a drink at the bar if we met. My round. What are you all having?

Now ... back to the argument ...

I have tried to find a summary of the laws in America relating to the use of guns for self-defence. One of the problems I have encountered, obviously, is that there are fifty states and the Capital District … 51 legal systems! So I told myself the job was done when I found this summary issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services -

Use of Deadly Force for Lawful Self-Defense
http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/wea...f_defense.html
…
Summary
1. Never display a handgun to gain "leverage" in an argument, even if it isn't loaded or you never intend to use it.
2. The amount of force that you use to defend yourself must not be excessive under the circumstances.
• Never use deadly force in self-defense unless you are afraid that if you don't, you will be killed or seriously injured;
• Verbal threats never justify your use of deadly force;
• If you think someone has a weapon and will use it unless you kill him, be sure you are right and are not overreacting to the situation.
3. The law permits you to carry a concealed weapon for self-defense. Carrying a concealed weapon does not make you a free-lance policeman or a "good samaritan."
4. Never carry your concealed weapon into any place where the statute prohibits carrying it.
This is not a complete summary of all the statutes and court opinions on the use of deadly force. Because the concealed weapons statute specifies that concealed weapons are to be used for lawful self-defense, we have not attempted to summarize the body of law on lawful defense of property. This information is not intended as legal advice. Every self-defense case has its own unique set of facts, and it is unwise to try to predict how a particular case would be decided. It is clear, however, that the law protects people who keep their tempers under control and use deadly force only as a last resort.

I know the above isn’t complete by any means, but nevertheless, I have noticed that, in a place where it is legal to carry concealed weapons it is felt necessary to issue warnings about the exact same things that I have used to support my argument that guns should be controlled: you can only use “deadly force” if you are in fear for your own life, or another person’s; and if you shoot in self-defence, you’d better make sure you are right. Also, a gun does not entitle you to be a vigilante … and so on.