Originally Posted By: sini
Originally Posted By: Sethan

Can't we at least agree that the American people would be better off in all of these evil government scenarios you are thinking up if they have access to a firearm to defend themselves?


I don't know, but lean toward "don't think so". From recent events: Egypt was largely peaceful so guns didn't play a big role, Syria isn't and perfect example of armed citizens vs. government going nowhere.

Give an assault rifle to every North Korean, are they any freer or safer?


Egypt was a result of the military abandoning the leader. If you look at the current state of affairs there, it is hard to say the change ended up being for the better. Though time will tell. Tunisia was the same way.

If you look at the historical examples, people were disarmed before tyranny went into full effect. From Syria to Jordan to Myanmar to Tibet and etc... there has been plenty of unrest quashed by internal security apparatus.

The key though, is things dont get that bad where people refuse to give up their arms. Mobs in the street can be a danger to a regime if not handled correctly. Especially if it might give the USA or other powers a pretext to insert themselves.

Mass armed uprisings of a large percentage of your populace is extremely dangerous and can rob you of the control needed to continue exerting influence, extracting money, and paying/rewarding your thugs.

For who could be free when every other man's humour might domineer over him? - John Locke (2nd Treatise, sect 57)