Lela Markham I’m glad that we are having constructive/opposing views to my article here. In the same vein, I will learn a thing or two from you.
“Disarm the public”
I did not suggest to disarm the public. I merely wanted tighter gun laws.
But yours is not a bad proposition, considering how well it turned out for other countries like Australia. It would be a long process, if ever, to disarm the public.
“More helpless”
Yes, essentially this is my case. Helplessness against a thug is by no means a worse situation than self-appointed arms standoff.
Helplessness in other words is harmlessness. Harmlessness is civic-mindedness, the hallmark of civilised person in a civilisation.
By calling out the lack of arms as helplessness is a gross misrepresentation of a harmless individual.
In light of the protest that you have highlighted, the self-appointed “defenders of the shop-owners” has another name: Vigilantes. More often than not, vigilantism causes more problems, and is a sure hint of distrust in authority.
Also in view of the protest, tell me, who really wants to appear NOT helpless? – harmful? By extension. I say this, protesters will and know that it is in their best interest to appear harmless to the authorities for as long as possible. Sure, they can set police station ablaze, but the protestors will not wish upon themselves the fury of military intervention, once they appear truly a threat. This is not a new idea; this is the quintessential reason for peaceful protest – aka harmless protest.
An armless protest. (Which is still true in the current protest)
“Authoritarian thugs and violent extremists will have full control”
This harkens back to vigilantism. This is not control, but taking things into your own hands. Sounds like it will end badly already.
You do have the control.
Your control is in the votes. Your rights to elect your own government. And weed out the authoritarian thugs.
That takes time. So everyone wants quick, violent, and trigger-happy control.
Also, with tighter gun laws, your control is assured. You will get your gun on good terms, and the thugs may not.
I value your opinions, and I must spell my caveat. I don’t live through you, and I accept your views.
