Originally Posted by dang.45

All human beings have a fundamental, absolute right to self-defense. There is nothing more fundamental than this, and it is the right upon which all others exist. No person or entity has the right to take away the most effective means I have available to me to defend myself. Many have the power, but none have the right. To limit, or eliminate my means of self-defense effectively makes me a vassal to whomever holds power at any given moment, as I would no longer have any way to exercise any of my rights at all. This is a situation which will never be acceptable to me - I will not be giving up my weapons, period. Infer what you will from that statement...

It should be noted that I have a wife & a dog, but no kids. Everyone I care about can take care of themselves should I no longer be around, so I am able to stand on my principle without fear of catastrophic consequences to those around me.