Cars is an interesting point, but it’s incredibly invalid for a number of reasons, the most obvious one being that cars aren’t designed to kill or maim. And, of course, the fact that you need a license to drive a car.

Guns are too dangerous to be in the hands of just anyone; the US gun injury statistics (accidental and otherwise) prove that.
If you want to point to Switzerland (which has more guns per capita than any other Western nation, including the US) to claim that those statistics aren’t caused by guns but by people (and you’re an idiot if you really believe that NRA line), be aware that Switzerland also has nation-wide compulsory military service; this is where most Swiss people get their guns, and also where they’re trained to handle them with care. They also don’t suffer from the cult of gun worship and childish entitlement complex so many Americans are afflicted with.

I have no problem with people owning guns with a license, provided they’re required to undergo (very) rigorous training and testing before they get that license, and they’re subject to things like safe storage laws as well.
This idea that it should be a right for people to own guns is just bullshit, though.

Also, I’ll agree there are more than a few the-government-is-out-to-get-us, conspiracy theorists over here who think that being heavily armed will keep them safe when the government comes to get them. Heck, even my father-in-law stock piled food, water, gas masks, and ammo when 2000 rolled around. In fact, I believe there is still an Israeli issue gas mask and cannister in my trunk… you know… just in case! :)

Why does there need to be a “reason” to allow people to keep guns in their home? What makes a gun any different than the countless other items that I keep in my home without the need to convince anyone that it’s ok for me to own?

The fact that guns are lethal weapons? How much more blindingly obvious do you want it to be?

And I wasn’t suggesting most gun owners in the US believe the bullshit discussed, just that enough of them do that it merits addressing. This post was about that argument specifically, not the wider gun control issue.

I’m not foolish enough to think that the government is afraid of me because I own guns, and I would venture to say that the majority of gun owners in the US do not fall into this category either.

I didn’t actually make any blanket statements. I’m not saying it’s a schoolboy fantasy to want to own a gun at all, just that wanting to own a gun for the reason discussed is.

I don’t think it is a good idea to make blanket statements either way about things. Speaking for myself, plinking targets are just one of many things I enjoy doing.

Feel free to turn what I say to be for or against your view.

I’ve actually never heard the claim that owning guns was for scaring the government.

I guess you haven’t run into any of the people who masturbate to the movie V for Vendetta.