Difference between revisions of "Gun"
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| − | A '''gun''' is a weapon which fires a | + | A '''gun''' is a weapon which fires a bullet, dart or other projectile. It is highly effective to deter crime and to protect the gun owner in self-defense situations. The police rely on guns to enforce the law, except in some countries where the police are not armed. It is debatable in these countries whether the police can properly protect citizens from gun-wielding criminals, as they must wait for the arrival of specialist firearms officers before being able to act. |
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The four main types of modern firearms today are bolt-operated, pump action, semi-automatic, and automatic weapons. In a bolt-action weapon, each new [[round (ordnance)|round]] must be chambered manually, by moving the breech to eject the empty casing. In pump action guns (usually shotguns) a new round must be manually chambered by pulling back on the underside of the weapon. In semi-automatic weapons, each pull of the trigger fires a bullet. In fully automatic weapons, bullets will be fired as long as the trigger is depressed until either the trigger is released, the gun jams, or runs out of ammunition. | The four main types of modern firearms today are bolt-operated, pump action, semi-automatic, and automatic weapons. In a bolt-action weapon, each new [[round (ordnance)|round]] must be chambered manually, by moving the breech to eject the empty casing. In pump action guns (usually shotguns) a new round must be manually chambered by pulling back on the underside of the weapon. In semi-automatic weapons, each pull of the trigger fires a bullet. In fully automatic weapons, bullets will be fired as long as the trigger is depressed until either the trigger is released, the gun jams, or runs out of ammunition. | ||
==Gun control== | ==Gun control== | ||
| − | The cultural issues surrounding guns are many and widely debated. [[Conservative]]s generally prefer to reserve for the [[individualism|individual]] [[the right to self-defense]] through the use of guns and other weapons. [[Liberal]]s generally prefer to delegate this right to guards, police, and the | + | The cultural issues surrounding guns are many and widely debated. [[Conservative]]s generally prefer to reserve for the [[individualism|individual]] [[the right to self-defense]] through the use of guns and other weapons. [[Liberal]]s generally prefer to delegate this right to guards, police, and the military, or even completely deny that it is an important right.{{fact}} |
Studies have repeatedly shown that law-abiding and right-thinking citizens carrying guns are statistically an effective deterrent against crimes. Further comparison between different states by [[John Lott]] indicates that states that have more conservative gun laws have distinctly lower crime rates, violent crime rates, and firearms [[homicide]]s than states with more liberal gun laws. | Studies have repeatedly shown that law-abiding and right-thinking citizens carrying guns are statistically an effective deterrent against crimes. Further comparison between different states by [[John Lott]] indicates that states that have more conservative gun laws have distinctly lower crime rates, violent crime rates, and firearms [[homicide]]s than states with more liberal gun laws. | ||
Revision as of 23:23, February 21, 2008
A gun is a weapon which fires a bullet, dart or other projectile. It is highly effective to deter crime and to protect the gun owner in self-defense situations. The police rely on guns to enforce the law, except in some countries where the police are not armed. It is debatable in these countries whether the police can properly protect citizens from gun-wielding criminals, as they must wait for the arrival of specialist firearms officers before being able to act.
The four main types of modern firearms today are bolt-operated, pump action, semi-automatic, and automatic weapons. In a bolt-action weapon, each new round must be chambered manually, by moving the breech to eject the empty casing. In pump action guns (usually shotguns) a new round must be manually chambered by pulling back on the underside of the weapon. In semi-automatic weapons, each pull of the trigger fires a bullet. In fully automatic weapons, bullets will be fired as long as the trigger is depressed until either the trigger is released, the gun jams, or runs out of ammunition.
Gun control
The cultural issues surrounding guns are many and widely debated. Conservatives generally prefer to reserve for the individual the right to self-defense through the use of guns and other weapons. Liberals generally prefer to delegate this right to guards, police, and the military, or even completely deny that it is an important right.[Citation Needed]
Studies have repeatedly shown that law-abiding and right-thinking citizens carrying guns are statistically an effective deterrent against crimes. Further comparison between different states by John Lott indicates that states that have more conservative gun laws have distinctly lower crime rates, violent crime rates, and firearms homicides than states with more liberal gun laws.
Guns are also a defense against a tyrannical government. If a person has the power to take the life of another, other people will not commit crimes against them. The 20th century has proved repeatedly that a well-armed and dedicated guerrilla army can defeat even the strongest occupying army using only small arms.
Science Fiction
Science fiction, such as Star Trek, has postulated many different types of directed energy weapons. These are guns that fire beams, waves, or packets of energy. Some energy guns can be set to stun, not to wound or kill. Most firearms legislation would not classify these as firearms, so their ownership would be unrestricted, as are many non-firearm weapons such as flame throwers.