• stoicmaverick@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    As a gun owner and former small arms instructor, like… I’m happy, but I also feel like I got isekai’ed when I see fellow left sided folks imply that privately owned guns aren’t basically the equivalent of the One Ring. They are simply a tool which bestows the ABILITY to use violence at a distance. What you choose to do with that ability is entirely up to the holder. A sword can be used as a shield as well, but a shield cannot be used as a sword if needed

    • Mycatiskai@lemmy.ca
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      1 day ago

      Maybe not a sword, but shields can have spikes and sharp edges. Even as a blunt instrument a shield is a weapon not just a defense.

      • stoicmaverick@lemmy.world
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        1 day ago

        I’m going to press x on that one. What you say is true to an extent, but you would never grab a particularly pointy shield as your only weapon if you had to go on an offensive. Those things make it more effective from a defensive standpoint, but if I had to get into a fight I would choose a knife over any shield you could show me if I could only pick one, especially if I knew my opponent was going to also have an offensive weapon.

        • I_Has_A_Hat@lemmy.world
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          14 hours ago

          Really? You would pick a knife over a large blunt sheet strapped to your arm that can both block and bludegeon your opponent? Disregarding any sharp edges or spikes, a large shield can easily break bones if swung at someone.

          In a knife vs. shield fight, the shield is an easy victor.

          • stoicmaverick@lemmy.world
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            9 hours ago

            My original analogy is breaking down pretty fast here. I was trying to make the point that a purely defensive stance has to work 100% of the time, while an offensive weapon can serve both purposes to an extent. If I had known it was going to go this direction, I would have used the example of a Kevlar vest.

            To answer your question though, 100% maybe. If my option was a butter knife. No. If we’re talking about it decent 12 in knife or claymore or similar. Yes I would. If the flight is that dire, you can take a hard hit with a shield a couple of times, perhaps even a bone breaking one to an arm, and keep moving at a reduced capacity. As long as you can reach around one time and put the blade between their ribs while they’re swinging a heavy shield, the fight is over. The point I’m trying to make, is that defense has to work 100% of the time, while offense only has to work once to do their respective jobs.

    • JustPlainDave@lemmy.zip
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      1 day ago

      I’ve never been on the “ban all guns” side of the argument. I’ve had access to them since I was 10 and was a line coach when I was in the Navy. I’m just glad to see some of us on the left start to get it.

      • stoicmaverick@lemmy.world
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        1 day ago

        Navy as well. Was an FC, but got sent to Sami school because our SecO didn’t trust any of the GMs to run his armory. lol. That was a fun cruise.

        • JustPlainDave@lemmy.zip
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          1 day ago

          I was an stg, but because of “optimal manning” live fire exercises were made up of people throughout weapons dept.