Gun Control: Protecting Terrorists and Despots

“Tragically, over the Thanksgiving holiday, the world was reminded how evil and cruel people can be. According to emerging accounts of the events in India, about a dozen well-armed and devastatingly well-trained terrorists laid siege on the city of Mumbai, killing almost two hundred people, and terrorizing thousands. Regardless of the reasons, the indiscriminate shooting on masses of unarmed and defenseless people is chilling and reprehensible. How were these terrorists able to continue so long, relatively unchallenged, killing so many? India’s gun laws are her business, of course. However, once the shock of these events and the initial reaction of fear passes, Americans should take away a valuable lesson about real homeland security and gun control from this tragedy.”

Click here to read the full article: Congressman Ron Paul

Let's assume for the sake of argument, that there were no restrictions on gun ownership in the U.S. or India (I don't know the gun laws in India)

How could the attacks in Mumbai have been averted? The criminals would just find other means to murder...bombs,etc.

Would 9/11 have been averted if we were all armed,if every adult on those planes had weapons for self defense? Would that have discouraged the high jackers when they threatened to blow up the planes?

I really do not have a problem with people owning guns for self defense. But, like a broken record, I say that if one owns a gun they should know how to use it and should have to pass a test to prove their competency before they are granted a permit or license. This is not a liberal position or a conservative position...it's a common sense, practical, intelligent position to take. Is there any other common sense approach? I don't think so.
What I don't like, is anyone, including Ron Paul, using "fear" to gather forces for a particular agenda. I understand the points made but unless we are all as well trained in firearms use as those who would do us harm, I see little strength to the argument we would all be better off being armed. Only my opinion of course, but a strong one!