People’s
history is ultimately tied to weapons. We have used them ever since, for tasks
like hunting and protection from wild animals. Unfortunately, our intents were
not always so pure. As people started to fight among one another, the shape of
weapons also changed to reflect a new enemy.
The arms race has resulted in the creation of weaponry, capable of erasing
entire nations. Such immense power is becoming more popular, even in smaller
communities and neighbourhoods. It seems that the accessibility of those tools
can pose a serious threat to peace and harmony, which most of us desire to
preserve.
However, things are not as grave as it might look at the first glance. We are not alone. There are peacekeepers, who wish to risk their health and lives, in order to protect what they love and care about. Military, police and even determined, self-organized individuals mobilize with the same equipment, which is thought to cause only evil. Certainly, not always they are knights of virtues (who is?). Sometimes they act on an adrenaline rush and think that they have nothing to lose, thus finding their way into service with a gun. What is worth remembering, is that even such people can save countless lives.
In
my opinion, the main takeaway is that gun or any other weapon
(or item in general) is not good nor bad, by itself. Those who
possess the tool, have the power to make good or bad deeds, by just using it.
More controversies can arise when we will take cars or knives into account
because a much higher magnitude of people dies on the road than by bullets.
Although, we can see the first visions and ideas that manual car driving should
be eventually prohibited.
Gun laws in Poland are quite strict. For most firearms, you need to apply for a
license. Among other information, you are obliged to specify a justified reason
for application. Many do not know that restricted weapons include brass
knuckles, metallic batons and crossbows. On the other hand, functional replicas
of certain black power guns are allowed. Theoretically, black powder sale is
regulated but there are legal loopholes that allow for unrestricted access.
Police
statistics for firearm accident occurrences in Poland.
It may
account for the fact, that Poland is a country that has one of the smallest
numbers of guns per 100 people according to most recent studies
(Small Arms Survey 2017). Additionally, gun incidents and mass
shootings are very rare compared to, for instance, the United States.
To conclude, weapons have definitely a special
place in our lives. They have often significant meaning to cultures and
religions. I believe that even our words are a special kind of weapon
since we use them to achieve ends(they
can hurt too…). Can you imagine if the government prohibited their use?
“For all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword”
Questions:
· Do you think gun laws should be abolished or restricted even more? Why?
· Do you know any cases where an armed individual saved people from oppression?
· Do you agree with the last paragraph? Is it possible that our words can be a weapon, which has formidable destructive potential?
Sources:
· https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_Poland
· https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overview_of_gun_laws_by_nation
· http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/T-Briefing-Papers/SAS-BP-Civilian-Firearms-Numbers.pdf
· https://www.dw.com/image/38735983_101.jpg
· https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.deadgoodbooks.co.uk%2Fbest-crime-movies-of-2018%2F&psig=AOvVaw1ehHkFxVI9yPetYR3RJKKn&ust=1610117328368000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCIjKtNCIiu4CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD
· https://en.wikipedia.org/api/rest_v1/page/graph/png/Gun_laws_in_Poland/0/43ab81a0a9a1b01670b8e5bb78a8f2d6e6615265.png
· https://i.imgflip.com/2fq9pk.jpg
· https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/76/Dangerous_weapons_seized_from_holiday_flights_at_Manchester_Airport.jpg/260px-Dangerous_weapons_seized_from_holiday_flights_at_Manchester_Airport.jpg
Comments
Abolished, without hesitation. By restricting it even more we would one day wake up in ball without possibility to even touch one another. Prohibit gun acces but what about knives? Prohibit knives, but what about hammers? It is a bad loophole, that will make our lives even more fake then they already are.
2. Do you know any cases where an armed individual saved people from oppression?
Yes, I like the story about the guy that shoot a terrorist that wanted to kill people in church. But there is even better. There where a loud shootout in gay club in America. More then hundred people die. The club was in no-gun zone. After some time almost the same attack was made in different club, different state. 2 people where lightly because the attacker was killed seconds after he started firing.
3. Do you agree with the last paragraph? Is it possible that our words can be a weapon, which has formidable destructive potential?
Yes, especially in era of internet. Many people killed themselves because of the opionion on the internet. Even more are damaged but illness because of so much hate and fake in their lives. I bet that more people die because of words in Poland than from weapons in total.
It was time when I was thinking about gun laws a lot and after several discussions, I came to the conclusion, that these laws should be abolished. Firstly, because there are different kind of things except for guns that can be used for killing: knives, baton and even simply pens. And secondly, some murderers or bandit groups can buy weapons on the black market and use it for their own, while the ordinary peaceful citizens are not protected at all.
Also, it was a truthful remark about forbidden that manual car driving.
Do you know any cases where an armed individual saved people from oppression?
Yes, I have heard about one incident. It took place in one of the Parisian cafes in 2015. Two armed terrorists broke into the establishment and opened fire on visitors. There were also three Colombians, members of the "northern drug cartel" in the cafe, who killed the terrorists with return fire. So they saved the lives of dozens of visitors.
Do you agree with the last paragraph? Is it possible that our words can be a weapon, which has formidable destructive potential?
Honestly, I do not quite agree. Yes, the words often can hurt, especially when you hearing something offensive from your nearest friends or relatives. But, I will not compare it to the physical harm from the gun. The way we perceive these words and the way we react to them is our own decision. If we work on our fortitude, we will be able to calmly treat any insults and not let them affect our lives. However, it is very difficult to influence the bullet flying at you ...
I perfectly understand your concerns. I have an impression that, as the time goes on, we are becoming more and more constrained.
Stories, you have brought are dreadful, but I believe they deliver clear message to all.
Internet is powerful, yet treacherous invention. As with everything, using it, comes with it's own set of risks.
I agree with your opinion regarding gun access. Determined terrorist will always find a way to harm. What about lawful citizens and their desire to feel safe?
Thank you for your story. It shows us that even people, considered shady, by the community, can become guardians of life, when the need arises.
Well, even though some resistance can be trained, I strongly support the view that lies and deceit can bring about even death. Recent days present us that big tech and political establishment can erase man from history, at will. Can we imagine, it happening to us? How would we feel, not having a chance to... say a word?
I can’t think of a particular example from our country or even USA, but I think there are times when policemen undercover save civilians from oppression, because they have a gun. If a thief, who just stole a woman’s purse faces a guy with a glock, he probably wouldn’t try to stab him with a pocket knife, right? And there’s always the case of people in more isolated places, where people with guns can save others and themselves from wild animals, like wolves (which are right now a serious issue in Poland, due to being a protected species that grew in numbers rapidly in last decade) or grizzly bears in USA.
I don’t think words can be a weapon, I know it. I’ve experienced it myself. Words can make people hurt themselves or even commit suicides. Constant violence, even if it is just words, is usually more than one can take. I’m terrified that people don’t get serious charges after hateful, sexist, racist, violent comments on the Internet. I mean, when I’m reading comments that encourage people to lynch others just because of different viewpoints, or to burn Jews like Nazis did, I seriously fear for my life sometimes. Because what if those people will start to do that? What if I’ll become a target for such hatred? So yes, I definitely agree they have a destructive potential.
I am convinced that even in urbanized area, police intervention cannot be reliable. On the other hand, the aggressor would think twice before making a move, suspecting that the property is protected by lethal weaponry.
Don't be afraid. :) Much of this hate stems from social engineering of media/politicians. I believe this further supports my point that they fight with... words :)
I think it should be abolished or at least extremely restricted. There is literally next to none benefit of wide distribution of guns between the public. I can't remember specific source right now, but there are many statistics reports showing that gun violence is linked directly to the amount of guns in a given neighbourhood. But what if a gun is used for good? Nobody from the public should be put in a situation when a vigilante-like action is necessary. If the situation doesn't require a firearm and you lose yours, you're potentially arming the perpetrator or perpetrators and putting others in more danger. If the circumstances require use of a firearm you should call the police, who are trained in this area. Literally no good comes from widespread firearms.
2. I can't name any specific example, but there are probably multiple cases of a single armed police officer/member of response units saving multiple people while carrying a gun. I'm assuming you're asking about other types of people though. I don't know any such examples (ergo you shouldn't have a gun)
3. Certainly. Humans are compromised of both a physical and a mental part and are truly healthy only when both parts are in good shape. Words can certainly inflict damage on the latter, therefore they can be dangerous. I don't know whether I'd call it "formidable destructive potential" though.
I think that in Poland, firearms licenses should remain in the form they are. The Polish community is not used to it. I think there would be too many gun kills. It is actually a good form of defense. But at first it might not look very good in our country.
• Do you know any cases where an armed individual saved people from oppression?
Many times I have heard cases where someone protected people from attackers. These are the good points of having a gun. However, how many people die in the streets, e.g. in the USA, because everyone can have a gun there. There are always pros and cons of certain situations.
• Do you agree with the last paragraph? Is it possible that our words can be a weapon, which has formidable destructive potential?
In my opinion, words are the world's greatest weapon. Negotiators often win by words against terrorists who put down their weapons. Someone on the candle has to order that the weapon be used. There is no weapon in the world stronger than words.
I heard a lot of stories in the USA when somebody protects their homeplace from thief’s but also word “protect” can be used in different ways, so for me, this question very difficult to answer is it good or not :/
Totally yes, one word has a strangely powerful, which can be destructive more than guns in some way, unfortunately, everything that we said won't come back never.