I don't like getting death threats

It's not a "compromise solution".  It's something that has been done by pragmatic owners of firearms since the advent of handguns.

Well, I've no real data on that, but I know my family has practiced your "compromise solution" for, at least, four generations. 

Comparing the murder rates in US and Europe makes it a no-brainer about whether having no easy access to guns would reduce criminality (instead of shifting gun-shooting to knife-stabbing).

But of course

1. This is an argument for stringent gun control only if you are ready to trade your right to own a gun for a lower chance of death by bullet, and having some sort of legitimity to impose that tradeoff on others;
2. The fact that stringent gun laws for decades make up for lower crime rates now does not mean than putting an immediate hold to gun sales in a place where they were formerly running free is a good idea.

The whole thing is more of a cultural issue too. People carrying a knife around for self-defense where I live are regarded as weirdos (not paranoids: weirdos), even more so if it is in plain sight, yet they are the exact legal equivalent of a gun owner in the US states that allow weapons.

I would think that the death of just one innocent child from a careless gun would be enough to at least give people pause.

This solution works for someone who likes guns, and takes them from time to time to go hunting or to show their friends.

It fails utterly for someone who wishes to use it for self-defense.

It's already established we don't like innocent people dying; there's a bit more to the issue than that :)

"In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king."

A disarmed society are prey in wait of a predator.  That is why schools, in particular, have become "kill zones" for armed assailants.

Post #313: Yeah I'm not even saying the fear I brought up is rational, but it's still there. I mean, how much would it suck if a criminal broke in, was ready to hurt you, and with no gun you just had no means to defend yourself. (Assuming you're ambushed a quick gun shot is pretty much your only hope.) That's a true horror story: You know you're going to die, in one of the worst ways possible.

So yeah, in an anti gun area, you just have to hope that doesn't happen, which may be the most rational approach, I don't know. But psychologically...

Problem is that policy decision that impact the reality are made based on those emotional appeals (be it "without guns, innocent people will get killed by the mafia", or "with guns, innocent people will get killed by madmen").

If you look at the data for developped countries, it is a no-brainer as to what stance has yielded the lowest murder rate, but it does not make the policy issue a no-brainer.

So If I were you, I'd just laugh it off, 99% of the time it's nothing but hot air and an ego at the keyboard. Takes a real nutcase to carry out an internet threat. 

A good reason not to be making enemies on the internet everywhere you go.  After a few hundred, you are eventually starting to play Russian roulette with your wellbeing and peace of mind.  Even if someone doesn't physically harm you, they can make your life miserable from afar in many, many ways if they find out who you are.  A few things I have heard of:

- Going to the US Post Office website and putting your mail on hold for "vacation" for 90 days

- Shutting off various utilities, your newspaper, etc.

- Posting your contact info on the most deviant porn site forum available with a "come hither" message on your behalf

- Posting your address and a "come take all my stuff I'm giving it away free" message on Craigslist

- Posting dating profiles that are less than flattering, or seeking partners you might not have an interest in hearing from 

- Calling local animal control and reporting that you are abusing your pets

- Calling the local police, giving them your neighbor's name, and reporting that you are doing drug deals out of your house

- Subscribing you to every marketing spam service they can find

That's just a few of the easier ones.

The best way to defend oneself online is not to be too much of an a-hole to begin with and thus avoid drawing the ire and fixation of the aforementioned nutcases...it seems so simple, yet, so many just don't get it.

The problem with guns is humans. There must be a 100 million tons of guns and ammo and 7 billion humans on earth. The problem will never be solved.

Guns don't kill people. The laws of physics do.

*****

To: The OP

I get 1-2 threats/obsenities each week. Today I got one from 'enoughofu'....Sadly, CC wouldn't let me read it....and subsequently closed this person's account.

So, Helloooooo there - The Member Formally Known as 'enoughofu'. Enjoy your new account and all its benefits !

@ The Ghostess   That is ridiculous that you should get so much hate mail a week. I know I can be obnoxious but in 5 years I have never had a death threat yet.

Well, I can be a bit sharp now and then, but I'm careful not to cross the line....

I know that, big deal.

He starts it, I would rather he not even acknowledge my comments but he always does.

What a phony sniveler.

                    sniveler;   spoken like a true pirate bucko.

                        Oh hey Jamie;  thank you for the kind words. I can't even remember what thread it was. I saw it this mourning. I'm exhasted after a full day, lovely compliment.   hahahaaa  NO woman ever throws me a compliment. I'm not gonna let you get away with that!

Generally speaking, trolls are cowards who hide behind their anonymity.  They prey on those who they perceive as "weak" or unwilling to do anything about it.  It is no wonder many of the targets are women.

I decided to put a big bright light on the cockroach who threatened me.  I am glad there are others who are willing to stand up for themselves.

I think, if there is enough of a backlash, the site will provide better security.