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Let us pretend for a moment that there is a defined 100 ways in which a government can be corrupt. Only 1 of these ways can be solved by citizens with guns. Do you think it is worth while to have the guns in this imagined scenario? I do.
Okay, that's fair enough. Personally, I don't think this possible perceived benefit in a few unlikely scenarios makes widespread gun ownership worth the costs, but it doesn't bother me if you disagree.
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Have you ever thought that perhaps a "corrupt government" might take the form of a rural police department? I can tell you answering the door with a shotgun does a world of good when Sheriff Pete the meth addict comes aknockin'
Yeah, actually, I have. Generally speaking, though, I don't think offering a shotgun blast to a police officer, no matter how corrupt, is a really good way to get your point across: have you ever tried it? Do so and let me know the results.
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Have you ever heard of organized crime? Do you think organized crime is easier or harder to defend against if you, your family, and/or your neighborhood is equipped with their own death dealing machines?
Ironically, its organized crime that has benefited the most from lax gun laws. Not only is there a massive, thriving black market for guns that they can abuse, but their enforcers can walk around armed, perfectly legally, and its harder for police to gainsay them. That being said, if you read my points carefully, I did say self-defense was an acceptable argument, so I don't even take issue with you here.
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Do you think the government is so powerful and all-knowing at this point that no one, no group of people can cause enough disruption to affect it?
No, but I think a military with more money than the total GDP of most small countries is probably not going to be very afraid of any of those guns that Republicans are desperate to preserve. One of the core arguments behind preserving second amendment rights "Herpa derp must defend from government" is both outdated and foolish. Even now, most American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan don't die to firearms. More than 70% of our casualties are due to IEDs and explosives. If you *really* wanted to defend yourself from the government you should be defending your right to nitroglycerin and semtex, not glocks and berettas.