|
#11
●
03-02-2014, 08:24 AM
|
|
Re: Washington State Girl, 11, Shoots Cougar That Stalked Her Brother
It made three attempts within a 12-hour time period. Scaring it off would have only given it an opportunity to make attempt number four. Given how desperate the animal was for food, it would have in all likelihood returned. Yes, the same 'Merica that regulates hunting seasons to ensure the overall survival of various species of wild game. Hunting is a survival skill, and such skills are among the most basic reasons as to why mankind has survived long enough to establish civilized societies. There's nothing wrong with or trigger-happy about a person taking pride in their ability to acquire food and defend themselves. |
|
#13
●
03-02-2014, 08:51 AM
|
|
Re: Washington State Girl, 11, Shoots Cougar That Stalked Her Brother
I meant trigger happy in the general sense that Americans love their firearms and have the highest gun-related mortality rates than any other nation on Earth. As a Canadian I just don't understand the need so many people have to carry loaded handguns on their person (or a loaded shotgun in the home) "just in case". There *are* viable alternatives to lethal weapons. And haven't people ever heard of gun safety? |
|
#14
●
03-02-2014, 09:06 AM
|
|
Re: Washington State Girl, 11, Shoots Cougar That Stalked Her Brother
Would you like to hear a rebuttal from someone who worked for park services/DNR as a ranger? No, she couldn't have. It would have been absurdly dangerous and the cat was displaying maneater characteristics. It would have been back or gone for another person, and they might not have seen it coming. They only need one strike to get you, there is no struggle and your neck is crushed before you hit the ground. |
|
#17
●
03-02-2014, 03:37 PM
|
|
Re: Washington State Girl, 11, Shoots Cougar That Stalked Her Brother
When dealing with an unarmed opponent, there are indeed a number of viable alternatives to lethal force; but self-defense against an armed opponent or burglar/home invader quickly render such alternatives non-viable. And we don't necessarily "love" our firearms. Gun ownership in America runs the gamut from backwoods gun nuts to little old ladies living in questionable neighborhoods. The worldwide stereotype of the American gun owner is just that: a stereotype. There's nothing so magical or mystical about firearms that they change who a person is or the way they think about or approach life in the real world. For many, that "just in case" is justification enough when the alternative involves losing your own life. Even though you live in Canada and may -- for the sake of argument -- live in a nice neighborhood in a country that's already known for its low overall crime rate, it would make sense to assume that you still lock the doors and windows to your home because you enjoy the added sense of security that you derive from doing so. Gun ownership is a lot like that, only it takes that sense of security a step further by applying it to a scenario in which those locked doors and windows are rendered insufficient. As far as gun safety, the majority of hunters and their family members are pratically fanatics on the subject. And as far as gun mortality rates, a number of sources cite the per capita rate of a number of other countries as being much higher than that of the U.S. You have to remember that the U.S. has a population of 350 million people, so the mortality rate for all forms of death in terms of absolute numbers will be higher than that of many smaller, less populated nations. |
|
#19
●
03-02-2014, 08:27 PM
|
|
Re: Washington State Girl, 11, Shoots Cougar That Stalked Her Brother
We get it, you don't like guns or hunting. If we see a mountain lion stalking you and about to rip your throat out well just let nature take it's course. See you in the death section |