I am so shocked by this discussion. It is so unbelievably alien to anything, to any mind set or experience I have ever had as a European. I have no idea whether the levels of paranoia on display have any basis in reality but if they do then I'm sorry and I don't mean to be rude and it seems weird on Independance Day but that justs seems like a sick society. You call it freedom to feel the need to answer the door with a gun and constantly have one within 5 seconds of you (I know that's quite personal and I don't mean to be rude and I don't know the realistic threat level but it's really surreal to me, a shocking level of tension and anxiety existing if that knowledge calms you down and makes you feel safe!!!!!!!) It seems a very strange idea of freedom. Like living in a bunker, "no one can get me now!", I'd rather walk in the fresh air, walk by the river, have a little faith, enjoy life rather than live in fear, not seeing enemies in every shadow, where every stranger might be a killer or a rapist, but seeing ordinary people with lives and hopes not threats. Where is the peace of mind when you need an AK47 as a comfort blanket? I love Linus from Snoopy but I'm just so shocked by the views expressed.

This is the worst culture shock I've ever experienced on this site.

RE: Guns for Safety? Dream On, Scalia. - washingtonpost.com