I have recently become interested in aquiring a class B LTC for a handgun. Im interested in learning to use one, how to safely store it etc..and decided to investigate the process of getting this license. What I learned appalled me, but Im sure that many of you already know all this. I didnt and it just increases my belief that America is becoming increasingly more of a police state. I learned that under law, at least in Massachusetts, where I am, it is illegal to defend your property with a gun. In fact, you are not even supposed to show it if you can avoid it. It is only legal to defend yourself with a gun if you feel you are in imminent danger. Well lets see...some one breaks into my house carrying a gun or knife, tries to take my stuff and may even tie me up to do so...I think that qualifies as imminent danger, but not according to the govt. You even need a license to carry mace or pepper spray. I never thought about the persecution of gun owners before but know that Ive become interested in owning one, I cant believe what Ive read. Well as Tim McVeigh said, " Fear the Government that fears your guns. "

Sucks, huh. The law of self-defense states that you have the right to take action to defend:
Yourself
Your Proper
Another Citizen
However, the law also states that you cannot use any more force then what is necessary. Here's a little (true) story for ya: A friend of mine (nicknamed Frog for some reason) was in a bar one night when he saw his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend. The man came up to Frog and told him straight-out "I'm going to kill you". Frog isn't much for confrontation so he left and went to another bar about half a block away. About 10 minutes later Frog saw the man come in. The guy sat down at a corner table and did nothing but watch Frog. Finally Frog decided to leave. He walked to his car, which was parked in a lot behind the first bar. He got out his keys and went to put them in the ignition when he saw the man step in front of his car pointing a gun into the air. The man didn't know that Frog had a gun under the seat of his car. Frog pulled out his gun and held it by his lap. The man yelled something like "you're fucking dead" and started to lower the gun. Frog pulled up his gun and shot the man twice in the stomach. The man fell against a wall but slowly started to raise the gun again. Frog shot one more time, this time in the chest. The man dropped. Frog then went back into the bar and called the cops. He told them what happened but was arrested anyways. Come to find out there was a witness that saw everything and confirmed to the police (and in court) that Frog acted purely in self-defense. So what happened to Frog? Second degree murder. He spent 8 years in prison. When he was being arrested the police told him he should've just ducked down and hoped that the man got close enough to fight him for the gun. That's some pretty fucked up shit. Just thought I'd share this with you...

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"Possessed, I feel the conquering will down inside me - Strength, the strength of many to crush who might stop me...." - Mouth for War, Pantera

That story depresses me, naturally. You have to wonder how the people that make these laws and rules got elected in the first place. Im certainly not for carrying guns around to intimidate...if I got one it wouldnt be for hunting, or target shooting, just to have for protection. In this state in the 80's we had a governor( the one who ran against Bush in 1988) who was basiclly the epitome of crap...under him a new law was instated ....that if you had a home with more than one door to the outside, if someone attacked you you could not defend yourself but had to exit through the other door. Oh well, this state is practically communist anyway. dont ever move here.

Oregon law:

161.219 Limitations on use of deadly physical force in defense of a person. Notwithstanding the provisions of ORS 161.209, a person is not justified in using deadly physical force upon another person unless the person reasonably believes that the other person is:
(1) Committing or attempting to commit a felony involving the use or threatened imminent use of physical force against a person; or
(2) Committing or attempting to commit a burglary in a dwelling; or
(3) Using or about to use unlawful deadly physical force against a person. [1971 c.743 s.23]

and its a shall issue state.