I guess I'll chime in before the thread gets locked, and so that everyone can be very clear on my stance and judge me for it....
I own three handguns, one .22 rifle, and a .38 revolver. I carry a Glock 19 in my car (not chambered, since it has no safety); keep the Walther PPK 380 chambered, safety on, hidden downstairs; keep the Beretta 9mm, chambered, safety on, in a nightstand in the master bedroom; and the 38 revolver (a hand-me-down), with the next chamber empty to prevent an accident, in my office at the other side of the upper floor. The 22 rifle stays in my closet because I have no real use for it - it was merely handed down. I also carry a lifetime Concealed Weapon Carry permit from the State of Indiana.
I practice shooting at my parents' place, which has 47 acres of woods to shoot at without putting anyone in harm's way. I am my no means a marksman, but I can hit a target.
All of my personal protection weapons have hollow-point bullets in them so that if (God forbid) I were to ever have to use one, the likelihood of an innocent bystander being hit is greatly reduced. However, I use solid "slugs" when practicing, since they're cheap and nobody is going to get hurt.
I sincerely hope that, in the course of my life, I never have to shoot another human being - or even pull a gun on them. But, if it means that my family, friends (or perhaps a complete stranger) get to stay alive, I will not hesitate to try my best. I don't plan on being a hero, but if the time comes, and I'm put in a position where I could actually help, I will.
I firmly believe that the purpose of the Second Amendment, in today's world, is to allow American citizens to protect themselves and their loved ones - and also to hunt or shoot for sport. I do not believe that there is any need for average citizens to carry assault/automatic weapons, because one can adequately protect themselves, or a loved one, with the smallest of handguns (like the Walther PPK 380 which fits nicely in a pocket, or my wife's purse).
If we strip the rights to carry such weapons from average citizens, the bad guys are still going to have them....and people like me are going to be defenseless if someone breaks into my home, or tries to otherwise rob/harm me or my family in public. I do not, nor will I ever, accept that.
As has been mentioned above, many of these heinous crimes have been carried out by people with mental disorders of some kind. And everyone always comes out of the woodwork to say, "I always knew there was something off about him," or "He has a history of making threats, but nobody thought that sweet boy would actually do anything." It's time for America to lift the "cone of shame" that prevents us from pointing out such things in advance....from pointing out that "There's something wrong with him, and I think it needs to be addressed." And maybe, just maybe, if someone in your house has autism or aspergers or bi-polar disorder or depression or any other mental illness - keep the weapons out of the house, or otherwise inaccessible to them.
But as others have also implied, violence has also been glamorized in today's society. And when it happens, it gets TONS of media attention. Many of these people who go on mass killing sprees want just that - their moment of fame (even if they're dead). Hey media - STOP GIVING IT TO THEM!
And to keep this post even remotely on topic, yes, I do generally feel safe in Walt Disney World. I know that the Bag Check is a smokescreen meant only to dissuade someone from trying to sneak something in that they shouldn't. But if someone wants to get a gun into the park, it's going to happen.
I have only recently begun to occasionally carry on my person, but not at Disney (besides, it's too big of a pain to get it from here to Orlando, what with the pesky TSA). But if I wanted to, it would take no effort whatsoever to carry my Glock into the park, with a few extra magazines on my person. Each magazine holds 15 rounds, plus one in the chamber. Nobody needs an automatic weapon, because in a matter of 30-45 seconds, 30 people and the gunman could be lying in pools of blood in the middle of Main Street USA.
But malls are easy. And schools are easy. And apparently, military bases are easy. Getting all the way into a Disney park without someone noticing something "odd" about a potential killer is less easy. Not impossible, but it would require a lot more work that these psychos usually want to put into it.
So yes, I consider Walt Disney World to be a fairly safe place, relative to other "cities". There are crimes. There is theft. There are accidents - both ride/attraction and vehicular. But for now, I feel safe when I'm there, knowing that Disney does indeed have hidden measures in place....probably moreso than anyone on these boards legitimately knows about.
You may begin your judgements on me, but if you wish to further discuss my personal opinions, I would prefer PM, as I will no longer be posting on the topic of guns in this thread.
