🚀 go-pugleaf

> 
>Have you ever been anywhere but the US?
> 
>I have been to many parts of Italy, including Siciliy.  I was shocked
>to find Sicily not only one of the safest and friendliest places
>in Italy but all of Europe.  The people are probably the nicest after
>the Norwegians (who I consider #1 for hospitality).
> 
>True the mafia is there, but the masses do not want them or support them.
>The majority of stores in Sicily have "NO MAFIA" signs in the window.

Having travelled extensively over the entire world on business
and pleasure I can say with experience that violent crime is
hardly an American invention.....  Granted gun use may not be
as prevalent but I've still seen plenty of throat slashings
and stabbings as well as a number of gun carrying muggings and
shootouts in addition to kidnappings.....  All this outside of
the United States!

HOWEVER, I do not feel that crime is the reason for the 2nd
amendment although I feel that crime would be significantly
reduced if everyone where allowed to carry and conceal...  I
myself would not carry a weapon but it would give a potential
mugger something to think about....

I feel the second amendment was created to prevent what I have
personally witnessed throughout the world including:
1)	the murder of defenseless civilians by serbian AND croat
	militias in yugoslavia
2)	the violent (clubbings and whippings) put down of peaceful
	rallies in china (many years prior to Tiananmin Square)
3)	the kidnappings and murders of civilians by police in
	chile, argentina, spain, morocco, and romania
4)	the beating by police of ethnic minorities in bulgaria,
	romania, hungary, argentina, and austria
All of the above incidents are perfect examples of how the
government can use and abuse its power when the populace has
no means to defend itself.........

THAT is what I feel the purpose of the second amendment is for
and THAT is also the purpose the founding fathers had as
evidenced through reading 'The Federalist Papers'....

I apologize if I seemed to have rambled and especially if my
thoughts didn't come over as clearly as I wanted but I'm at
work and I've got to be productive in between trying to express
my opinion.....   If anyone doubts anything I mentioned above
I can provide specific instances with dates and even some
witnesses....

thank you for your time and bandwidth..

Jose Canedo