Changes

[[Gun control]] consists of limitations on the fundamental right of self-defense.

[[Gun control]] consists of limitations on the fundamental right of self-defense.

[[Conservative]]s emphasize the [[individualism|individual]] [[the right to self-defense]] through the use of guns.  [[Liberal]]s oppose this individual right, and tend to dislike even guards or police carrying guns.

[[Conservative]]s usually emphasize the [[individualism|individual]] [[the right to self-defense]] through the use of guns.  [[Liberal]]s more often oppose this individual right, and tend to dislike even guards or police carrying guns.

Guns are shown to be highly effective at deterring crime and protecting the gun owner.  Police officers often use guns to enforce the law, except in some countries where the police are not armed.  In the Republic of ireland, the Garda Síochána has since its foundation held that uniformed officers do not carry guns - "The Garda Síochána will succeed not by force of arms or numbers, but on their moral authority as servants of the people", as the first Commissioner said<ref>http://www.garda.ie/faq.html#G4</ref>.  The current Commissioner of the Gardaí has stated that "we do not live in a 'gun culture'", despite a recent rash of armed crime.  In Iceland, there are no armed forces, including the Police, and all Police only carry a baton on duty.<ref>http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Iceland/Default.htm</ref>  In addition, the regular Police forces of the UK<ref>http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=535071&in_page_id=1770</ref> and the Police Force of New Zealand do not carry firearms while on normal patrol, or in the latter case describe themselves as "generally unarmed"<ref>http://www.police.govt.nz/about/history.html</ref>.  However, each of these Police forces also has highly trained specialist teams of armed Police, who are brought into play at time of need.

Guns are shown to be highly effective at deterring crime and protecting the gun owner.  Police officers often use guns to enforce the law, except in some countries where the police are not armed.  In the Republic of ireland, the Garda Síochána has since its foundation held that uniformed officers do not carry guns - "The Garda Síochána will succeed not by force of arms or numbers, but on their moral authority as servants of the people", as the first Commissioner said<ref>http://www.garda.ie/faq.html#G4</ref>.  The current Commissioner of the Gardaí has stated that "we do not live in a 'gun culture'", despite a recent rash of armed crime.  In Iceland, there are no armed forces, including the Police, and all Police only carry a baton on duty.<ref>http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Iceland/Default.htm</ref>  In addition, the regular Police forces of the UK<ref>http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=535071&in_page_id=1770</ref> and the Police Force of New Zealand do not carry firearms while on normal patrol, or in the latter case describe themselves as "generally unarmed"<ref>http://www.police.govt.nz/about/history.html</ref>.  However, each of these Police forces also has highly trained specialist teams of armed Police, who are brought into play at time of need.