Quote Originally Posted by sparks19
fortunately I do not live in an area like this......

However, many people live in areas that are littered with gangs, thugs, and miscrients. how exactly would you defend yourself against someone with a gun? personally I am of the mind set "kill or be killed". If someone were threatening me with a gun and I had access to mine I would use it. I would not hope that the police show up in time. of course, you should never own a gun if youare not properly trained in how to use it AND you CAN use it. if you have any doubt that if your life were in danger that you could pull that trigger than no you should never own or operate a deadly weapon. I am not and would not ever recommend a gun to someone that has not been trained to use one. If you own a gun and are not fully trained in how to use it then you are as big a danger to yourself as you are to others. BUT if you are trained it is far more effective than praying the police will get there before you are killed. Of course, this weapon should ONLY be used in a life or death situation. You may not see a reason for a civilian to own a gun but until you are someone you love is put into that kind of situation I wouldn't expect you to see a reason. I hope that you never find a reason to be honest.... but in some places, sometimes.... it can save your life.

Not to mention.... people hunt. therefore they own guns. 9 times out of 10 these are not the people you should be worried about breaking into your home and threatening your life. Banning guns only takes them out of the hands of the responsible owners. It does nothing to stop the thugs that get them illegally and do not have them registered.
OK, we have different opinions.

I still can not think of one single reason civilians need HAND guns. I don't think people hunt with pistols.

I wont pull the thread further away from the OP's topic.