Poll: What is your stance on weapons?

[___________________]

I usually would have a pair of butterfly knives in my satchel (spoof). I can't think of any country that would allow you to carry long knives or swords with you apart from Japan

If you have the proper license you can carry a Shinken, but you have to practice something like iaido to properly justify carrying one around and you have to use a weapons bag.

 

[Kathinka]

czech republic here. we can legally own pretty much everything, from handguns to fully automatic machine cannons.

i'm small built and physicly about as threatening as a retarded kitten. so i usually carry a concealed pistol. i hope to never have to use it, but it's like the seatbelt in the car..rather have it than not having one should the need ever arise.

 

[manic_depressive13]

No, because swords and guns are illegal in Australia, and carrying a knife around would be paranoid bordering on the insane. Way over the top considering I live in a very middle class neighbouhood. If I did something like that my imaginary friends would think I'd gone crazy, and frankly I'd have difficulty taking myself seriously.

Anyway, I'd have no chance defending myself even with a knife. I'd be much better off just running away.

 

[smearyllama]

Needs gunsword option.

Gunblades r dum

Also the poll has nothing to do with the opening post.

Also in Denmark the state has a monopoly on the legal use of deadly force. I don't carry any and I don't need to, my country is quite safe. It'd also be difficult as the only legal use for a rifle is hunting and I am not a rich tosser yet.

They make complete and total sense to me. You stand in front of your enemy and draw your "sword" and go all "come at me bro" and he moves to engage you in melee and them BAM, you shoot him.

That's not how a Gunblade works...
It simply triggers an explosion when you slash, increasing the damage done by the blade.
Of course, this is a fictional weapon, so you can make it do whatever you damn well please, and I won't stop you.

 

[spartan231490]

Also, pacifism is actually embracing death. by refusing to defend yourself, you are granting moral superiority to those who would murder you, and thereby turning your back on life, and embracing death.

I'd agree with that, as long as a firm distinction is made between the opposition of yourself (or private citizens in general) owning weapons, and a refusal to acknowledge any situations where violence is called for.

I'm not sure there is any distinction. I haven't really thought about it before. yeah, there's probably a distinction, most people who oppose weapons rights(that I've talked to) don't oppose them because they are pacifists but because they believe that a weapon is somehow inherently evil. Like owning one will somehow turn you into a murdering lunatic. We have been killing each-other since the dawn of our species, this is not a justification for removing an individuals right to bear arms.

 

[Thyunda]

If I lived in a less peaceful place, I'd carry a knife. Unfortunately, the British Government plasters anybody carrying a knife as a hoodlum and a murderer, so God help you if you trip and your knife falls out of your pocket. That's a surefire way to get arrested. Naturally, people with nothing to lose have no such reservations about carrying weapons, and so you should have the right to carry something to protect yourself.

I live in the middle of a big city. Literally, the middle. Fortunately, any trouble is alcohol-induced, and you rarely need a weapon to fight a drunk.

 

[Hitokiri_Gensai]

Ive done years of martial arts, mostly centered around the use of the Japanese Sword. But, i also carry a handgun everyday.

I have a large collection of swords and guns at my house.

Currently, my carry gun is a Ed Brown Custom Kobra Carry, Blued Finish with ambi safties.

 

[Thaluikhain]

I'm not sure there is any distinction. I haven't really thought about it before. yeah, there's probably a distinction, most people who oppose weapons rights(that I've talked to) don't oppose them because they are pacifists but because they believe that a weapon is somehow inherently evil. Like owning one will somehow turn you into a murdering lunatic. We have been killing each-other since the dawn of our species, this is not a justification for removing an individuals right to bear arms.

Well, I believe my country should retain strict controls on who can own a firearm, and what type, but I view the retention of an armed military and police force as absolutely essential.

 

[Sn1P3r M98]

I carry a folding knife around, though I'm really not worried about crime where I live. I'm considering getting a Concealed Carry lisence when I'm of age though, just in case.

 

[jpoon]

If I was ever feeling the need to protect myself in this day and age, a gun is the best method of attack. I'd just keep my gun on me, easy, safe and damn well effective.

 

[The-Epicly-Named-Man]

I don't carry around weapons because;
a) I'm a pacifist
b) That's retarded.
However, at a push, I'd pick a knife. Easy to conceal, highly versatile.

Edit:

Also, pacifism is actually embracing death. by refusing to defend yourself, you are granting moral superiority to those who would murder you, and thereby turning your back on life, and embracing death.

Sorry, I thought it was just the belief that physical violence achieves very little, except causing someone pain. I suppose I should just go kill myself now though, seen as my refusal to fight with someone for some petty reason means I don't value my life.

 

[SckizoBoy]

I like swords and am good with them.

Spears are quite possibly superior, and certainly deserve more historical credit. It's a bit like the Hurricane and Spitfire that way. The Hurricane did the majority of the work but most of the films are about the flashier Spitfire.

First person I've encountered with that view... and I agree, though I'd extend it to polearms in general. Unlike you, I can handle a quarterstaff fairly competently, though the number of times I've had my arse handed to me against yarijutsushi is quite embarrassing...(!) In any event, I prefer using the 'jo' to the full length 'bo', because it's more versatile in confined spaces and IMO, less unwieldy. *shrug*

lol at the "sword" option
the only way to carry a sword around disgusised would be in a trench coat and then whats the point of having a sword in your pocket when your wearing a trenchcoat, no one would attack somebody in a trenchcoat

Caneswords! Problem solved. I used to carry one around and fake a limp (which in retrospect wasn't a good idea, considering how fucked my back was/is).

OT: I used to carry a knife on my person typically strapped to my calf, but later thought 'what's the point' because where I generally go, crap doesn't really happen. Anyway, I still carry eight weapons at all times: two fists; two feet; two elbows; and two knees. Oh the joys of Muay Thai (& Wing Chun... & Tsing Yi... amongst others)

 

[Hugga_Bear]

Knife, small and easily concealed but fast and damned deadly if you know how to handle it.

I dislike guns and living in the UK it's not a real threat, swords are pretty and much as I like swordfighting it's not like you can carry a longsword down the street without drawing attention but a knife? Well, no one need know it's there.

 

[Ursus Buckler]

I picked 'other' as I usually have no preference. I can use a rifle well enough and a lot of melee weapons as well, like a sword, staff, sai, tonfa or a baton. Obviously I can't really carry these things around with me so I keep a small, dome shaped lump of concrete in my pocket just in case.

 

[Alrocsmash]

Ive done competitive martial arts for some time. It used to be extra income for me. Im also NFL line backer size. I got 'mugged' once walking home one Saturday. Only thing I can say is, if ribs were NOT broke, Im rather surprised.

 

[Xanthious]

I've had my license to carry a handgun since I was legally able to do so. Indiana is pretty loose with their gun laws so as long as I'm not in a school, Inside a casino, or in an airport I can and usually do legally carry.

 

[zehydra]

Gun, if not available, knife. A sword is pretty much useless nowadays, unless you're in combat with other people who have swords.

Just out of curiosity, why would a sword be any less useful than a knife?

a knife is concealable and easier to wield (lightweight, faster strikes etc)

That doesnt make a sword useless, surely? Just because a knife is more useful...Its like saying a broom is useless compared to a mop, because its not wet.

Well, for the sake of mopping, yes a broom would be useless. Typically, swords do not work so well for quick street combat.

 

[Zaverexus]

Knife.
Swords are amazing, and as a fencer I know my way around one well, but I have to say that in this day and age you would be killed long before you got to use one.
A knife takes the same finesse and skill and makes in concealable and quick. A truly elegant weapon; if you really felt like it, you could take out even a few people if they didn't suspect it and then hide, and all be too quick for coordinated response.

 

[Tanfastic]

I am working on getting a concealed weapon license and usually carry a knife with me, just in case. I had a friend who died from being mugged and stabbed, he had no way to defend himself.

 

[Zaverexus]

Gun, if not available, knife. A sword is pretty much useless nowadays, unless you're in combat with other people who have swords.

Just out of curiosity, why would a sword be any less useful than a knife?

a knife is concealable and easier to wield (lightweight, faster strikes etc)

That doesnt make a sword useless, surely? Just because a knife is more useful...Its like saying a broom is useless compared to a mop, because its not wet.

Well, for the sake of mopping, yes a broom would be useless. Typically, swords do not work so well for quick street combat.

Swords are amazing weapons, and in a fight with blades hell yes I would choose one over a knife. But as far as just carrying a weapon just in case a knife can be hidden, it can serve as a tool for any number of things, you can whip it out and strike unexpectedly, and if absolutely necessary you could still use it in a direct fight.