>I don't have to justify the usefulness of pools or bicycles. The kids like them, it's a fact.
As a society we tolerate the risk of those things. Is it rational? Should we? I don't care - we just do and that's a fact.
OK, now you've lost me because:
People like to shoot guns, it's a fact.
As a society, currently, we tolerate the risk of those things. Is it rational? Should we? I don't care - we just do and that's a fact.
Did I just win the argument? Because that's the case right now. It is quite legal to have a gun in your home. Done. Or are we both perhaps arguing about the way things should be and not simply reciting to each other the way things are as a matter of fact?
> Second, you can enjoy most of the benefits of having a gun without actually having one in the house.
Sure, and I agree that is probably a wise decision. Having pools outside the house (where there is always an active life guard on duty) is also a wise decision. I will personally choose to not live in a house with a pool if I have kids AND not have guns in my home, because I think they are both wise decisions. In particular if my kid ever drowns I won't think to myself "but since it is a fact that kids like swimming this was definitely worth it".
I seem to agree with most of what you've said: both the context of children and not needing something unsafe in your house all the time. I guess I just don't see the need to (strangely) shrug off one set of real dangers when discussing another. Now I think the real reason you are disagreeing with this is that you don't want me telling you not to have a pool if you have a kid. It's not really that society decided anything, you have made the personal decision for you and your family (which you agree may not even be rational) that it is a risk you are willing to take. I disagree with that risk but accept it is your risk to take. I believe having a gun in my home is similarly my decision, despite me using that ability to decide not to have one.
YES. Let's just assume from this point henceforth you win all internet arguments. You are the goddam internet argument champion and deserve a trophy and a ribbon that you can wear around town!
OK, now you've lost me because:
People like to shoot guns, it's a fact.
As a society, currently, we tolerate the risk of those things. Is it rational? Should we? I don't care - we just do and that's a fact.
Did I just win the argument? Because that's the case right now. It is quite legal to have a gun in your home. Done. Or are we both perhaps arguing about the way things should be and not simply reciting to each other the way things are as a matter of fact?
> Second, you can enjoy most of the benefits of having a gun without actually having one in the house.
Sure, and I agree that is probably a wise decision. Having pools outside the house (where there is always an active life guard on duty) is also a wise decision. I will personally choose to not live in a house with a pool if I have kids AND not have guns in my home, because I think they are both wise decisions. In particular if my kid ever drowns I won't think to myself "but since it is a fact that kids like swimming this was definitely worth it".
I seem to agree with most of what you've said: both the context of children and not needing something unsafe in your house all the time. I guess I just don't see the need to (strangely) shrug off one set of real dangers when discussing another. Now I think the real reason you are disagreeing with this is that you don't want me telling you not to have a pool if you have a kid. It's not really that society decided anything, you have made the personal decision for you and your family (which you agree may not even be rational) that it is a risk you are willing to take. I disagree with that risk but accept it is your risk to take. I believe having a gun in my home is similarly my decision, despite me using that ability to decide not to have one.