Tavares wrote: > > Eugene, is there a particular context or scenario you have in mind? > > > I am unaware of conversations taking > > place where actual veterans of gunfights or homicide investigators and > > pathologists are discussing these issues. > > I'm assuming this is almost certainly related to DC's contention that > if they allow homeowners to own shotguns, it's OK for them to > continue to ban handguns. > > The shotgun vs. handgun question is like the mechanic's hydraulic > lift vs. the bumper jack question. When you have the luxury of > deciding when to change a tire, the lift makes the job incredibly > easier. But when your tire blows on I-10, you ain't got one.
Scenarios are an important angle on the debate. It has been argued that _every_ scenario is different and personal (individual), and that regulating access to different classes of firearms (based on some one-size-fits-all mentality) will incapacitate somebody's ability to defend themselves. For example, a tiny female is at a disadvantage if she is limited to owning a large and bulky shotgun when her rapist enters her apartment. An argument that handguns may be banned because shotguns are allowed also assumes that shotguns work in all situations. This is demonstrably untrue, even in private homes and businesses. A store clerk with a Glock on his hip has a tactical advantage over the store clerk with a 12-gague under the counter. Shotguns are likely less effective for poor people who often live in smaller and more cramped living quarters and cannot orient the weapon as effectively. The effects of deterrence should be considered as well. Though I cannot point to a citable study on the topic, I know from experience that handguns and shotguns work well for both deterrence and actual engagement, though the means may be different. Hearing a shell being pumped behind a closed door will send most intruders running, but seeing a holstered handgun provides deterrence when both people are in the same space. Guy Smith Author, Gun Facts [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.GunFacts.info _______________________________________________ To post, send message to [email protected] To subscribe, unsubscribe, change options, or get password, see http://lists.ucla.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/firearmsregprof Please note that messages sent to this large list cannot be viewed as private. Anyone can subscribe to the list and read messages that are posted; people can read the Web archives; and list members can (rightly or wrongly) forward the messages to others.
