[Vision2020] Isn't it about time . . .

[Joe Campbell]

You sound paranoid, Paul. There is little evidence that a gun is needed for
protection in this town. Could happen. Could happen that a brick falls out
of a window and strikes you on the head, too. But if you walked around town
with a helmet, you would LOOK paranoid. You would look paranoid precisely
because you are preparing for something that has a VERY low probability of
occurring.

What exactly am I missing in this analogy? And like Carl said, neither I
nor anyone else is going to take away your handgun. But I'll try my best
not to let paranoia dictate public policy.

On Thu, Dec 20, 2012 at 8:59 AM, Paul Rumelhart <godshatter at yahoo.com>wrote:

> That's your recommended defense against someone who, for whatever reason,
> has broken into my house with me inside of it?  Expect the best of them?
> Should I trust in fate and never wear seat belts?
>
> Oh, and pardon me for relating a story relevant to the topic at hand.
>
> Paul
>
>
>   ------------------------------
> *From:* Ron Force <rforce2003 at yahoo.com>
> *To:* Paul Rumelhart <godshatter at yahoo.com>; philosopher.joe at gmail.com
> *Cc:* vision2020 at moscow.com
> *Sent:* Thursday, December 20, 2012 6:32 AM
>
> *Subject:* Re: [Vision2020] Isn't it about time . . .
>
> As long as we're substituting anecdotes for data, I can say that I do get
> on airplanes frequently. In 71 years of life, my home has never been
> burglarized or invaded. I have never been mugged or even threatened on the
> street. I have traveled to fifty states, seven continents and thirty
> countries and found only friendly and cooperative people. I observe
> common-sense precautions to avoid situations where I could be put in
> danger, like patronizing sleazy bars while flashing a big roll of bills (I
> know, no fun).
>
> The only time I found it necessary to be armed was during a year in
> Vietnam and even there, the great majority of the people I met were
> non-belligerent. I sold my personal guns when I returned, and don't miss
> them. Life is a happier place if you expect the best of people and don't
> look for dangers lurking around every corner.
>
>  ------------------------------
> * From: * Paul Rumelhart <godshatter at yahoo.com>;
> * To: * Joe Campbell <philosopher.joe at gmail.com>;
> * Cc: * vision 2020 <vision2020 at moscow.com>;
> * Subject: * Re: [Vision2020] Isn't it about time . . .
> * Sent: * Wed, Dec 19, 2012 10:02:26 PM
>
>   I get on an airplane very infrequently, even less so now that the TSA
> is out of control.  I go to bed every night.  My friend's dad stopped
> someone from climbing through his bedroom window a number of years ago by
> the simple expedient of pointing a large revolver in his face.  This had a
> deterrent effect; the suspected burglar backed out the window quickly and
> ran off, probably to go get a change of underwear.  You live long enough,
> something strange will happen.  Better to be prepared.
>
> Gun safety is an issue.  Many newer guns have extra safety features.  I
> hope they continue to innovate in this area.  Certainly there is much more
> that can be done to reduce firearm-related accidents.
>
> Paul
>
>
>   ------------------------------
> *From:* Joe Campbell <philosopher.joe at gmail.com>
> *To:* Paul Rumelhart <godshatter at yahoo.com>
> *Cc:* Tom Hansen <thansen at moscow.com>; Sue Hovey <suehovey at moscow.com>;
> vision 2020 <vision2020 at moscow.com>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, December 19, 2012 9:55 AM
> *Subject:* Re: [Vision2020] Isn't it about time . . .
>
> Paul,
>
> Again you are mistaken about the facts. Do some research. If you live in a
> high crime district, having a gun might provide more safety than potential
> for harm. If not, the potential for harm is greater. Those are the facts.
> No matter how much confidence you have in yourself, living in Moscow, ID
> your gun is much more likely to do you harm than good. I promise you that
> (unfortunately) we are much more likely to read about someone committing
> suicide with a firearm, or harming another, than protecting him- or herself
> in this particular town.
>
> Think of this analogy. Would you ever think of bringing a parachute aboard
> an airplane? Well, there was a time when it was much more probable that you
> would die in a plane crash than via a home invasion. (I'm not sure of the
> statistics now; not many people die on commercial airlines.) If you were to
> bring a parachute aboard a plane, you would be perceived as suffering from
> wild paranoia. Of course there is a chance the plane will go down but (a)
> it is very unlikely and (b) very unlikely to help were a situation to arise
> (remember the point I made yesterday that in order for a gun to be useful
> it has to be loaded and available for use, yet that increases the
> likelihood of accident).
>
> I'm sorry but you and others who are unyielding about gun control seem as
> paranoid as a guy with a parachute boarding an airplane. The analogy is
> very close. But the difference is that the proliferation of guns increases
> risks of gun violence for all of us, as the Sandy Hook episode shows. It
> isn't just a personal liberty debate; it is a public harm debate, as well.
> We have a history of sacrificing liberties in order to prevent harms.
> Again, I don't always agree with these choices and we need to be very
> cautious about how to proceed. But to dismiss gun control as an option
> based on some flawed view of liberty is unwise.
>
> Joe
>
> On Wed, Dec 19, 2012 at 9:23 AM, Paul Rumelhart <godshatter at yahoo.com>wrote:
>
> What was I thinking?  Home invasions never happen.
>
> Paul
>
>   ------------------------------
> *From:* Tom Hansen <thansen at moscow.com>
> *To:* Paul Rumelhart <godshatter at yahoo.com>
> *Cc:* Joe Campbell <philosopher.joe at gmail.com>; Sue Hovey <
> suehovey at moscow.com>; vision 2020 <vision2020 at moscow.com>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, December 19, 2012 8:44 AM
>
> *Subject:* Re: [Vision2020] Isn't it about time . . .
>
> Paul Rumelhart tells us:
>
> "Yet I'd still prefer having one available if I ever needed one."
>
> Paranoia . . . Self-Destroya!
>
> Seeya round town, Moscow, because . . .
>
> "Moscow Cares"
> http://www.MoscowCares.com
>
> Tom Hansen
> Moscow, Idaho
>
>
> On Dec 19, 2012, at 8:37 AM, Paul Rumelhart <godshatter at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > Yet I'd still prefer having one available if I ever needed one.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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