Just saw this convo and wanted to comment. This would be great for the waffle thread btw!! DualGG, I’m really glad you post here — you speak your mind, are unapologetic — but respectful of others and their differences.
Tazzie — do you mind sharing what made you feel unsafe? Was it like big city issues or did you run into criminals? Whatever it was, I have to think you missed the best parts of the US. For me, the most beautiful state in the US is Colorado — drive into the Rockies and be ready for your mind to be blown. Breathtaking no matter where you go! Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, parts of California — all worth it.
As far as guns, I have some. I keep one in my bedside table. Not that I need to explain myself but this is why — I’m a small female, I’m 5’4” and about 110 pounds. If one man or 3 men break into my house in the middle of the night — how would I over power them before police arrived? If they wanted me dead, I’m dead. If it’s a rapist, it’s utter terror. If I have a gun and they don’t, I have a chance to make them lay on the ground until cops arrive. If I have a gun and they also have a gun, I have a chance to defend myself and live.
I live in a big city that has trafficking routes for drugs, people, and other things. Those are criminals of the worst kind and that also attracts other criminals to this area bc Phoenix shares a border with Mexico and criminals do way better here than in Mexico. Border state issues are real, we don’t make them up for political purposes.
If guns were outlawed here, all the criminals would be loaded with weapons — and all of their victims would be mostly defenseless. I don’t want to be defenseless, don’t want a criminal pointing a gun at me, and if you break in and try to hurt my dogs — I *will* hurt you first. NO ONE hurts my dogs.