Firearms yes or no

[SUBMAN1]

Originally Posted by Penelope_Grey

I don't think guns are really as good as Martial Arts when it comes to defending ones self. As to my mind, a gun is an offensive weapon which epitomises the saying, "the best defence is a good offence" guns can kill, Martial Arts can kill, but a skilled Martial Artist cannot accidentally kill someone, they have to do it deliberately, which if they do makes them a murderer. But you can unintentionally kill someone with a gun, there is a good chance of that.

However, both a gun, and Martial Arts knowledge in the wrong hands can be lethal.

I understand you have little knowledge of firearms in your country, but you are wrong on the defense portion of things. I understand Hollywood makes a pistol out to be a super weapon (They never miss in movies it seems), but in reality, its good for about 20 feet reliably, though it is very manuverable in close quarters and is a decent close quarters weapon. It is purely a defense weapon and anyone that thinks it can be used offensively in more than a crutch manner have never used one. That is why your boys in Iraq don't even bother to carry a pistol.

Only a rifle could be coined an offensive weapon.

-S

PS. If it is serious enough to put someone down, they probably deserve to die by the way.

PPS. You don't have to shoot to kill either by the way - just like a martial arts person - that is another Hollywood myth that anyone that gets shot in the torso dies. SHoot a leg if you have to. Problem is in this day in age, whether you use martial arts or guns and do not kill your attacker, you may get sued for the rest of your life over it.