Because Gene, as history proves time and again, a man without a gun is a sitting duck.

Or put another way, a man with a gun can tame a small mob(that cooler heads may prevail or you can put the rapist where he belongs).

My proclomation isn't from the good book per se, it's a matter of sound economy in relation to actual human nature rather the dreamy socialist sales pitch of rights without responsibility. People abuse perceived freebies.

Life is unfair, and as someone or other said, it's even more unfair if one is stupid; and it's stupid to teach people that it is the 'states' job to look out for their best interests, rather than them looking out for themselves. Who teaches folks that notion, why the 'state' of course ... hmmm. Now, isn't that how we got into this fiscal mess to begin with, police actions and the war on poverty entitlements; and yet, the poor are alway with us, just as Jesus said they would be.

One seemingly related thought: at the essence of capitalism is enlightened self interest(well self interest anyway); however, it cannot be unrestrained self interest at any price. Adam Smith touched upon this and that's prolly where Jefferson got it. which is where I latched onto it, that capitalism cannot be open ended, there must be restraints like responsive courts(preferrably where the loser pays the costs) and corporations foremost, cannot be afforded the priveleges of personhood(which in fact -as corps do not die- affords them, and more specifically, their stockholders greater priveleges than any given individual could ever gain without the benefit of such a mechanism). [or so I surmise].

peaceably, and send pics Gene-)

Btw, guns are effectively outlawed in England, but from what I read, there are no shortage in the wrong hands(obtained illegally).