Why are guns made to kill?

[Ranb]

I see this statement all the time here. "Guns are made to kill." Why do you think this is true or not? While some firearms are clearly intended to be used to kill humans (M-16's, AK-47's), others (electric free pistols, silhouette pistols, target rifles) are clearly intended for sport shooting only.

Why isn't it possible that a gun can be made for something other than killing? Thanks.

Ranb

 

[TV's Frank]

I think a gun is made to propel a small projectile at high velocity.

 

[Gravy]

Thanks for starting a thread about this important issue.
You are right: there are different kinds of guns.
Next.

 

[Gagglegnash]

Hi

Parent: You can't give her that! It's not safe!

DEATH: IT'S A SWORD. IT'S NOT MEANT TO BE SAFE.

Parent: But you can't give it to her!

DEATH: SHE WANTED A SWORD. IT WILL BE EDUCATIONAL.

Parent: But she might hurt herself!

DEATH: THAT WOULD BE AN IMPORTANT LESSON.

They have. Sucker-dart guns. Take off the sucker-end, shoot little sister int he eye with what's left and watch the fun!

Anything that will put a hole in a target a few arm's reaches away with enough mass and velocity on the projectile to penetrate to a vital organ will be used as a weapon.

Sorry.

 

[JoeEllison]

Generally speaking, guns are for killing. You can use them for other things, but it doesn't change their basic purpose. My cell phone can take pictures. It doesn't make it a camera, the purpose of my cell phone is still making phone calls.

 

[Ranb]

Thanks for starting a thread about this important issue.
You are right: there are different kinds of guns.
Next.

My question was not really directed at people like you. It is more for those who really think guns are only for killing.

Ranb

 

[JoeEllison]

My question was not really directed at people like you. It is more for those who really think guns are only for killing.

Ranb

What importance does the distinction hold for you?

 

[uruk]

You can use a gun to start races and salute the honored dead.

The are nail guns, glue guns, radar guns, electron guns, water guns.

You can jump the gun, be a son of a gun, and bite the bullet and shoot for the moon.


A gun is just a tool.

 

[Terry]

like a hammer, or an alligator.

 

[littlehulkster]

Guns are made to shoot things.

Sometimes those things are people.

 

[quixotecoyote]

Have we run out of the little flags that say 'Bang'?

 

[Cainkane1]

I see this statement all the time here. "Guns are made to kill." Why do you think this is true or not? While some firearms are clearly intended to be used to kill humans (M-16's, AK-47's), others (electric free pistols, silhouette pistols, target rifles) are clearly intended for sport shooting only.

Why isn't it possible that a gun can be made for something other than killing? Thanks.

Ranb

There are non lethal weapons out there.

 

[fuelair]

like a hammer, or an alligator.

or bgodo?

 

[Sir Robin Goodfellow]

Certainly the intent of the first firearms was for killing. Like most other inventions they have evolved over the years, so now they are used for a variety of things. The first cars were intended for use as personal transport, but after a while people tried racing them. Eventually we had cars that were purpose-built for racing. Just as you could theoretically drive a Formula 1 car to the grocery store, you could use a competition pistol to shoot your neighbour. Of course, you could also use a hammer to pound nails or someone's skull.


I carry a folding knife with a five-inch blade. I purchased the largest knife the store had because a large knife is easier to handle with dirty hands. I use it for opening boxes, cutting tape, and so on, but I suppose in a pinch I could use it to kill someone if I was so inclined. Any tool can become a weapon. Drunk drivers use vehicles as weapons all the time, yet no one is clamouring for the government to ban cars.

 

[BPSCG]

like a hammer, or an alligator.

D'oh!

(You can tell it's Friday night...)

 

[JoeEllison]

I carry a folding knife with a five-inch blade. I purchased the largest knife the store had because a large knife is easier to handle with dirty hands. I use it for opening boxes, cutting tape, and so on, but I suppose in a pinch I could use it to kill someone if I was so inclined. Any tool can become a weapon. Drunk drivers use vehicles as weapons all the time, yet no one is clamouring for the government to ban cars.

You have a decent quillon on that knife? Otherwise, I'd avoid using it as a weapon, except as a last resort.

 

[jimtron]

You can do many different things with a gun. One of the most notable features, however, is that it has the potential to kill. So when you pull a gun out in front of someone, it's not likely that their first reaction will be: "oh, will there be a race!" But more likely, "uh oh, is this person going to threaten me?"

Ranb, what do you think the intentions were of the people that made the first guns? What do you think guns are most often used for?

 

[Sir Robin Goodfellow]

You have a decent quillon on that knife? Otherwise, I'd avoid using it as a weapon, except as a last resort.

Again, it's a tool, not a weapon. It does look intimidating, though, so brandishing it might cause some would-be troublemakers to re-think their couse of action. I definitely do not go looking for trouble.

 

[Supercharts]

Sometimes I need to go over to “The BAD side of Town”.
I carry a concealed alligator in an alligator holster. (It keeps the alligator quiet)
The irony is lost on the alligator.

 

[Ranb]

What importance does the distinction hold for you?

Because I am not offended when a person assumes I own a gun for sporting purposes. When some ignorant person assumes I own firearms because I plan on killing someone or breaking the law in other ways it pisses me off.

Ranb