I wonder. What is it that makes every non-normal human being [most of us are not normal anyways] like guns??

Is it because of the sense of protection? Maybe. Is it because of the sense of power? Possibly. Or is it because of its history? Not quite sure.

I have a friend whose family is so much into handguns and weaponery, that they practically have a gun in many hiding places.

Under ALL their pillows, in a drawer [even in a kitchen drawer], under a cushion of a sofa, etc.

Practically, almost everywhere you look, the first thing you'll usually see is a handgun.

Tell, what kind of a family do you think my friend has?

He's not old enough to own a handgun. However, are you allowed [in the US] to own a side arm at the age of 17 while under adult supervision? ???

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All pertinent Brett, but these days where we are more often coming across situations where people are ending up behind bars (or at least in court) for doing just that, defending their property, life, family etc.

I'm no expert on US Law or your Constitution, but I have had to make our Law concerning the use of deadly force, my business.
The Law states that if I use deadly force to "Stop an attack" (I can never say I intended to harm or kill - just STOP), the presumption of INNOCENCE is not afforded in the case of a Security Officer using deadly force. (A murderer who massacres 30 people is innocent until ....blah....blah....blah - but if I hit him before he gets a chance to do it - not so me!!!)

The onus is then upon ME to prove that all three of the necessary conditions were present.
They are:

1. Real and immediate potentially lethal danger to myself or an innocent party
2. No other alternative (WHATSOEVER).
3. No chance of any injury to another party other than the attacker.

This is very difficult to prove, even if you have witnesses. If I can't prove they existed, I go to gaol!

There is an unwritten law: "If you have to use deadly force, make sure the attacker is very, very dead. That's at least ONE person who won't be testifying against you!"  

So your "right to defend your own", is not necessarily an inalienable right!

Hey guys.  Its all friendly here and I'd hate to have to lock my own topic, so let's avoid any hard feelings and not argue.  Ok?

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Wise words indeed!

This topic is just about to be locked & should never have been raised really ...

Just remember - 'freedom' is a fluid notion. What you are free to do in one state you are not free to do in another. What you are free to do in one country you are not free to do in another.  8)

We're not talking about Florida vs. Illinois here.  I think Pete's talking about English law vs. US law...

I think this is getting too far and I'm going to go ahead and lock it myself before Pete has too.