[Freedom4US]

Goood point. Here you probably getting into something I can't spell or pronounce. Political systems, religion and sheer tradition can coalesce into ? The framers often and prodigiously noted that their form of republican-democracy was illy suited towards a lawless group of citezenry, who had no morals (of any sort) outside their own self-interest.

It's akin to when politicians talk about a "stable Iraq"; let's be clear - Iraq *was* stable under Saddam, but that's another matter whether the rest of the world winks and nods about how it is, that this area was "stable". Here's where the conspiracy nutjobs go into gear. They would claim, I'm certain, that it is in the decadent, imperialist West that the goal is instability in the region, etc., etc., & the long arm of Castro is involved.

People really CAN be trusted with the reins of government, self-rule and determination. But it's got to be the real deal, not a fait accompli by hucksters.

[HawaiianGecko]

People really CAN be trusted with the reins of government, self-rule and determination. But it's got to be the real deal, not a fait accompli by hucksters.

I agree with you on that. I just feel a need to challenge sound bites like the one that launched my original post. "An armed society is a polite society."  That may very well be true, but I'd like a bit more justification than a jingle.

I cannot think of any society where the majority of adults are armed that proves that statement. Forty five million Americans (14%) own all 198 million guns so we're not an example. Japan allows no ownership and has one of the lowest crime rates on the planet. Iraq seems to have more arms than the United States military and maybe they say "I'm Sorry" before they shoot someone, but I still wouldn't call that polite.

I'm surrounded by and run with very responsible gun owners daily.  I also read regularly here in FR, comments like "That robbery at McDonalds wouldn't have happened if someone in line had his Glock with him and put a cap in that guy's ass."  Yeah, that's the ticket. Just what I want to see, a shootout at the Happy Meal corral. 

I simply don't believe that an armed society causes a polite society. It's more likely a polite society can allow it's people to be armed.