Hmmm. a lot of interesting and good points from both sides. I'm for gun ownership for home protection, but not for carrying around. Yes, I am allowed to own a gun here, but i do not want one. The way i see it--and this is just a casual bar stool observation--it's mostly crazy, insecure, low self-esteem people who really want to own a gun...which begs the question...why don't i want one? Easy, because i know, in a heated argument at the gas station, where someone--as in 4 or 5 motoconchos jump in front of me in line, i will not hesitate to take my gun out and shoot them and their bikes.
In a heated situation at work, where scam artists come up to tables and try and rip people off on the beach--posing as "Working for a "charity organization that helps Dominican children addicted to drugs" (Who knows the man i am talking about here?) i will shoot him in the nuts the moment i see him rip someone off.
Inside a Dominican government office--where employees are texting their friends and family, and playing on Facebook, i will shoot them in the knees when they make me and everyone else wait hours and hours to get a paper stamped.
Basially, in hundreds of situations, either i will shoot someone, or someone will shoot me. Just four years ago, Alabama Gary got shot right here in Cabarete at the Texaco gas station over a car rage situation. the bullet went clear through him, through his seat, and through the back seat where two girls were sitting, and lodged in the gas tank. Over what? being cut off in line!
Are guns a good idea on an island with 10 million uneducated, stupid people. FU&K No! You'd have to be crazy to want to arm, or allow 10 million Dominicans--many who cannot spell their name correctly or put on a condom correctly--to carry around a concealed handgun.
Are guns a good idea on an island where half the people are illiterate--including my Dominican family members who would not hesitate to shoot a Gringo in a second if a gringo rear-ended their Mercedes.
Are guns a good idea where stupid people--instead of talking through a problem--will not hesitate to take their gun out in a drunken stupor and shot you without thinking through the issues coherently, logically, or rationally?
You have to be completely out of your mind if you think allowing 10 million Dominicans the right to own and carry around a hand gun.
Frank