Tom Jefferson listed 3 reasons for the private citizen to keep (that is, to have on one's person or close at hand,) firearms. They were (1) to defend yourself and your loved ones (2) to hunt for food (3) to overthrow a tyrannical government. Those reasons appear obsolete if you really believe (1) the police will protect you from any crime, (2) Safeway will always provide food (3) the government of the U.S.A can never become dictatorial.
    (1) The police cannot protect the vast majority of private citizens and have no obligation or legal requirement to do so. They come around after the crime has been committed and try to find the perpetrator. Statistically, they do a poor job of even that. That's not the fault of the policeman, but the fact remains. I reserve the right to keep firearms for the same reasons the police have them, and the same type of firearms they have. (2) A few years ago, a rumor got started about a shortage of toilet paper in America. It wasn't true, but within 24 hours there was no toilet tissue to be had at any store in any metropolitan area in the U.S. Suppose there was a serious shortage of something like meat. I reserve the right, and the means, to provide food for myself and my family if necessary.(3) Read up on Richard NIxon. Then, of course, there's John Ashcroft and the new "anti-terrorist" laws. Please think about it before you answer.
    There is a vast difference between being a "subject" and being a "citizen." Do you really think only the police and the military should have guns?
    Would you be willing to post a sign in your front window right now that says "This house contains no firearms"? Why not?
    This is a discussion, not an argument. I'm really interested in your answers.

O'Meara