Gun Control & Nuclear Weapons

[Sumantra]

Following the recent discussion on gun control and the message that I
had posted as to whether the right to own guns (which I support) also
means that people have the right to own nuclear weapons (which, for
obvious reasons, I am not keen on), here is a very interesting debate
on this issue:

http://capitalism.aynrand.org/yaron-answers-should-private-citizens-be-able-to-sell-nuclear-and-biological-weapons

For once, Yaron Brook's own answer to the question leaves a lot to be
desired; however, the very impressive debate present in the Comments
section, while inconclusive, is definitely worth reading for anyone
who is interested in this topic.

Personally, I think the whole issue of gun control is a very complex
issue that doesn't always have a cut-and-dry answer, especially when
you extend the underlying principles that drive the debate to their
logical extremes.

If I believe that individuals should not be allowed to possess guns,
then logically, I should also believe that individuals should not be
allowed to possess knives, and that's not a conclusion that I would
accept.

If I believe that individuals should be allowed to possess guns, then
logically, I should also believe that individuals should be allowed to
possess nuclear weapons, and again that's not a conclusion that I am
keen to accept.