Sam1911 why eliminate recreational pursuits?
I've already discussed recreational activities as a decent reason. You shoot a lot and live in a very secluded/safe place, maybe this isn't a horrible idea.
I'm addressing the folks who can't come up with an actual REASON for doing this but want to anyway. The guys who say, "you never know," or "survival," or "what about Mumbai?," etc. Where the clear risks aren't balanced by any plausible (or even, apparently,
conceivable) reward.
The way you postulate your question, outside of extremely remote areas with bad cell reception I don't see a need. However emergencies can arise that are unforeseen though admittedly I can't think of one where you would use it to save a life.
Which is why I'm asking my questions. If you can't think of a possible REAL WORLD scenario where the rifle is
the tool to save your life, why in the world leave it out in the "steal-me box?"
I think this argument comes down to if you feel responsible for what someone does with an item after stealing it. I don't, you do. Debating this is a question of morals, which does not have a definite answer. Though politely discussing morals is always enlightening. In that vein please answer whether you think ffl's should be held responsible for their customers actions? Assuming no straw purchasers or Holder nonsense. In example I buy a gun then murder my brother a year later is the seller responsible?
The thing is that we all do take SOME pains to not put guns in the hands of evil and violent people. FFL holders have to take quite specific steps, and are above and beyond that, empowered and charged with denying sales to anyone who seems like they are up to no good.
The dealer (or seller) is not
liable for the future criminal wrongdoing, but if we have been irresponsible in dispersing weapons, then yes, we hold some personal
responsibility for not hindering, in fact abetting, those harms.
If you wouldn't leave it on your front lawn where a child might get their hands on it, probably shouldn't leave it in your car where the most bottom-tier criminals in your neigborhood will be looking for goodies anyway.
To recap:
I live on a ranch or other secluded spot and I shoot prairie dogs 3 days a week. Maybe keeping that gun in the vehicle isn't irresponsible. The risks are low. I get a real-world benefit (however tiny) in not having to carry the gun inside 3 times a week, and if the gun is ever stolen, well...probably should have known better, but it was pretty unexpected.
I live in the city. I leave a gun under the carpet in the trunk of my car, just because, well, I can't think of a reason, but I like to keep my options open. Now, I have NO benefit whatsoever from that gun being out there, but every night I leave it there the odds increase that it will be stolen at some point. I'm rolling the dice every night, putting my gun -- and arming a criminal -- on table and the payout is ... NOTHING. No point ANY of us have been able to think of. Now when that gun goes missing I can kick myself soundly because I might as well have sold it to the gang banger on the next block the very first week I lived here for all the good it's done me, and -- of course -- he ended up with it anyway.
