Difference between revisions of "Gun"
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| − | + | '''Guns''' are tools generally designed for firing bullets in a controlled manner. They have traditionally been used for two purposes: firing bullets at people, and threatening to fire bullets at people. Thus, a gun is considered a [[weapon]], though technically, the bullet is the weapon, unless the gun itself is used as a club, or as a spear if it has a [[bayonet]] attached. | |
| − | + | There are many types of guns. Some guns fire small bullets. Some guns fire big bullets. Some guns fire ''very'' big bullets; these are generally called [[cannon]]s. Some guns fire a bunch of small bullets all at once; these are generally considered [[shotgun]]s. Some guns fire very fast, requiring only a single pull of the trigger; these are generally considered [[machine gun]]s. Some guns fire very slowly, requiring a full barrel cleaning and reloading before firing again. Most [[handgun]]s are semi-automatic, meaning that they fire a single round with a single pull of the trigger, and require reloading only after its built-in supply is depleted. | |
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| − | + | [[Science fiction]], such as [[Star Trek]], has postulated many different types of 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. A real-life applications of this is the [[taser]]. | |
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| + | 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. [[Liberal]]s generally prefer to delegate this [[right]] to various socialized guards and [[peacekeeper]]s, such as the [[city]] [[police]]. | ||
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| + | Law-abiding citizens carrying guns are statistically an effective deterrant and defense against lawless or criminal individuals. This has certainly been shown in the USA, which had 11,350 murders by shooting in 2005<ref>http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/05cius/data/table_01.html</ref>, compared with 50 in 2005/06 in the UK, which restricts the possession of handguns.<ref>http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs07/hosb0207.pdf</ref> [[Second Amendment|Guns are also a defense against a tyrannical government.]] Theoretically, if a person has the power to take the life of another, other people will not perpetrate criminal offenses against them. In practice, few existing civilian militias are strong enough to withstand a civil lockdown by a full army. | ||
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| + | ==See also== | ||
| + | [[Gun Control]] | ||
Revision as of 14:37, March 12, 2007
Guns are tools generally designed for firing bullets in a controlled manner. They have traditionally been used for two purposes: firing bullets at people, and threatening to fire bullets at people. Thus, a gun is considered a weapon, though technically, the bullet is the weapon, unless the gun itself is used as a club, or as a spear if it has a bayonet attached.
There are many types of guns. Some guns fire small bullets. Some guns fire big bullets. Some guns fire very big bullets; these are generally called cannons. Some guns fire a bunch of small bullets all at once; these are generally considered shotguns. Some guns fire very fast, requiring only a single pull of the trigger; these are generally considered machine guns. Some guns fire very slowly, requiring a full barrel cleaning and reloading before firing again. Most handguns are semi-automatic, meaning that they fire a single round with a single pull of the trigger, and require reloading only after its built-in supply is depleted.
Science fiction, such as Star Trek, has postulated many different types of 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. A real-life applications of this is the taser.
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. Liberals generally prefer to delegate this right to various socialized guards and peacekeepers, such as the city police.
Law-abiding citizens carrying guns are statistically an effective deterrant and defense against lawless or criminal individuals. This has certainly been shown in the USA, which had 11,350 murders by shooting in 2005[1], compared with 50 in 2005/06 in the UK, which restricts the possession of handguns.[2] Guns are also a defense against a tyrannical government. Theoretically, if a person has the power to take the life of another, other people will not perpetrate criminal offenses against them. In practice, few existing civilian militias are strong enough to withstand a civil lockdown by a full army.