Q&A: Carrying Weapons
Carrying Weapons
Question
What do you think about carrying a personal weapon? On the one hand, there’s the argument that says it’s good and appropriate, since there are terrorists and that way it’s possible to defend oneself against them (whether from attacks or from more serious things like what happened on 10/7). Also, one could go in the direction of liberty—a person is entitled to do what he wants with his money, as long as he doesn’t harm someone else. On the other hand, it’s dangerous. People might make improper use of weapons.
What do you think about this issue?
Answer
It’s hard to draw a clear line. I can say in general what everyone understands: it’s desirable to arm as many people as possible, but to vet the people being armed. How much to check and what to check—that’s a question that requires really getting into the issue. I’m not there.
Discussion on Answer
Because of the situation in the country, of course. The Americans’ nonsense about liberty is better left with them.
I haven’t thought it through, and it requires serious thought.
I understand.
Is the justification for distributing weapons based on the value of liberty, or on the fact that the situation in the country justifies it? In other words, would you support distributing weapons (with the qualification you mentioned—vetting who gets armed) in a country where there are no terror attacks and wars like ours, for example Norway?
And regarding the question of how much to check and whom to check—you’re not there because you haven’t thought about it, or simply because it’s not suitable to spell out such a complex issue in an internet message (and it would require an article, for example)?