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Mandatory carry - against polar bears

Jim675

Jim675

Founder's Club Member
Joined
Dec 17, 2007
Messages
1,023
Location
Bellevue, Washington, USA
I just read this story and wished these people would give lessons to our government.

"Attacks are not uncommon, and according to unique warning signs it is illegal to leave a human settlement without carrying a gun."

"According to Norway's TV2, Friday's attack was the first deadly polar bear attack on Svalbard since 1995. Chapple's death brings to five the number of people killed on the archipelago since 1973, when polar bears became a protected species, it reported."

We lose about 50,000 to violence a year, or 1,900,000 since 1973. They've lost 5 and require you to be armed to mitigate the risk.
 
Jim675

Jim675

Founder's Club Member
Joined
Dec 17, 2007
Messages
1,023
Location
Bellevue, Washington, USA
The entire article is about the danger from bears. 5 deaths, since 1973. Because of that danger they require that those going out and about in that area must carry a firearm. 5 deaths in 38 years. The US has experienced about 1.9 MILLION violent deaths during that same time and we have to constantly be on guard against those who would restrict our right to carry.

Maybe we should import some polar bears.
 
S

Seigi

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2008
Messages
121
Location
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
I don't think that they'd fare well in Louisiana weather. ;) Maybe up there where you live...

I'm not a fan of the notion of mandatory armaments. Even setting aside that its a government decree and thereby offends my sense of liberty, a person who doesn't want a weapon is unlikely to train with it, maintain it, or be of a proper mindset to use it during the short window of opportunity when they need it. Shooting a bear doesn't evoke the same reluctance as shooting a human, even if both are to save one's own life. Those tall tales about weapons being used against their owners? I think that they get a bit shorter if the owner genuinely doesn't have the will to use them, even when terrified.

That said, it's quite nice to see a government recognizing weapons as useful tools rather than sources of human evil. Maybe we can import some Norwegians?
 
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