Jonathan A. Reich writes:
>         Leon:  your first question is absurd on its face.  The 2nd
> question is a good one, and the answer is: because there isn't any good
> reason for people to own guns.  They have done great evil in societies
> around the world.  They cause great suffering in this country.  We would
> all be better off without them, and, if we had any sense, we'd amend our
> constitution to take guns away from people.

Well there are at least three good reasons to own a gun: hunting,
target shooting, membership in the national guard.  I argue that
self-defence is not a good reason, because, if people are not safe in
a society, then the society has failed and needs to be resturctured at
a more fundamental level.  I suppose American society has very nearly
reached that point, but before throwing everything out and starting
over, strict gun control like Norway's should be tried.

martin

Martin Smith                    Email: [log in to unmask]
P.O. Box 1034 Bekkajordet       Tel. : +47 330 35700
N-3194 HORTEN, Norway           Fax. : +47 330 35701