Difference between revisions of "Gun"
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| − | The gun is a weapon which fires a bullet, dart or other projectile. | + | The '''largely defensive weapon of gun''' is a weapon which fires a bullet, dart or other projectile. |
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 loaded manually, by moving the [[breech]] to eject the empty casing. In pump action guns (usually shotguns) a new round must be manually loaded by pulling back on pump of the gun, located underneath the barrel. | 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 loaded manually, by moving the [[breech]] to eject the empty casing. In pump action guns (usually shotguns) a new round must be manually loaded by pulling back on pump of the gun, located underneath the barrel. | ||
Revision as of 16:50, September 3, 2008
The largely defensive weapon of gun is a weapon which fires a bullet, dart or other projectile.
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 loaded manually, by moving the breech to eject the empty casing. In pump action guns (usually shotguns) a new round must be manually loaded by pulling back on pump of the gun, located underneath the barrel.
In semi-automatic weapons, each pull of the trigger fires a bullet, each shot ejecting spent brass and loading new ammunition until the magazine is depleted. In fully automatic weapons, bullets will be fired as long as the trigger is depressed. Fully automatic fire will cause the gun to heat up very quickly, which can become dangerous as it can burn exposed flesh and because rounds may "cook off" or fire unexpectedly due to the chamber becoming hot enough to ignite the propellant.
Gun control
Gun control consists of limitations on the fundamental right of self-defense.
Conservatives usually emphasize the individual the right to self-defense through the use of guns. Liberals 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[1]. 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.[2] In addition, the regular Police forces of the UK[3] 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"[4]. However, each of these Police forces also has highly trained specialist teams of armed Police, who are brought into play at time of need.
Studies have repeatedly shown that law-abiding citizens carrying guns are an effective deterrent against crime[5][6][7]. Further comparison between different states by John Lott indicates that states that have more conservative gun laws have 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. 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. Thus, guns potentially act as a deterrent against a tyrannical government.
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.
See also
References
- ↑ http://www.garda.ie/faq.html#G4
- ↑ http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Iceland/Default.htm
- ↑ http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=535071&in_page_id=1770
- ↑ http://www.police.govt.nz/about/history.html
- ↑ http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/pdf/10.1086/467988
- ↑ http://saf.org/kleck1998.pdf
- ↑ http://ideas.repec.org/p/nbr/nberwo/8926.html
External Links
- The National Rifle Association Everything firearm related. Includes information on Second Amendment rights, NRA Training and Education, Politics and Legislation pertaining to gun rights.
- A Human Right Discussion of the human right to self defense with a firearm.
- Learn About Guns Firearm information and politics from a pro-firearms perspective.
- Gun Owners of America A no-compromise pro-gun lobby in Washington, D.C.
