> 1) that assumes gun ownership has any bearing on someone's freedom. I'd say that's very much disputed.
You can dispute it, but you'd still be wrong.
> 2) a gun offering easier impulsive suicide strikes me as a good reason to curb their proliferance.
I understand this position. Unfortunately there are rights involved. Infringing rights should not be done lightly, especially if there are other options. Let's increase mental health services in our communities and eliminate the driving cause of suicidal behaviors if possible before we remove our rights.
> 3) accidentally shooting yourself in the face is quite different from accidentally doing something that doesn't involve the destructive power of a firearm.
Yes, different things are different. I'm not sure your point here. People have accidents while piloting 2 tons of metal every day, which certainly has more kinetic energy at 60mph than a 9mm bullet.
> My point is that for many people, the 'freedom' argument doesn't really hold. Whether it does or doesn't, I do think the suicide/accident angle is a very serious one.
You're going to have to be more clear and precise than that. What do you mean "it doesn't really hold"? People don't care about their freedoms? Or they don't care about my freedoms?
> I've known people who have attempted suicide, and I am convinced that the risk to their lives would've been greater if they had a gun. I also know many people who have done really stupid things, whether as kids or teenagers or adults. I'm happy guns weren't in the mix.
For any example like this, there are examples of defensive gun use that saved lives.
