Gun laws in America

[RobertBurden]

If someone pulls a gun on you in America would you have the law to shot them claiming self defense?
If some broke into your house in America would you have the law to shoot them?

[Loosehead]

Yes and in most states Yes.

[Clanad]

I agree with looshead, except that under those circumstances, you'd be allowed to that in any State. In fact, you'd be within your rights to defend yourself with a firearm even if the assailant didn't have a gun, but say, had a knife or a club of some sort. This right is only available in your home since, if assaulted on the street, you'd have to have a permit to carry the gun, which is available in many states. Additionally, many states grant permits, after background checks and educational courses to carry "concealed" weapons in their car. Most States have laws permitting concealed carriage if that right had been granted in another State...

[Loosehead]

Hi Clanad, can you clear this up: Does the right to bear arms mean that anyone can carry a gun as long as it's not concealed? eg technically could I walk down Broadway with a wild west style gun belt with 2 loaded guns? If not is that an "amendment" to the constitution? I understand the concealed weapon permits etc.

[Clanad]

Here's the problem, Loosehead, technically, according to the Constitution, you could do as in your example. However, local laws (city, or even some State laws) sometimes prohibit your example. In most of our western States, we all carry a rifle on a gunrack in the rear window of our pick-up truck. If the State were signatory to anyone of the different kinds of "conceal/carry" (CCW) one could legally carry that gun on the streets openly. In most State's with CCW laws you are also permitted to carry a handgun in a concealed fashion, or openly, as well. A brief list of those States is � Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, New Mexico, Ohio, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming. As you can see, most are either western or highly rural in population demographics. Most other State's limit this right in different ways.
It really all comes down to location and intent. Confusing, I know, but it seems to work in most places. It is important to point out that noone can purchase any kind of firearm without a background check for every gun purchased. This isn't the same a registering the guns, which is strongly opposed, but the background check is quite thorough...

[Loosehead]

Ok thanks