Arming civilians worth it, but…

BANG! According to an Ear source who has lived in the "wild west" areas of Mindanao for some time now, the suggestion of the president to arm civilians in Bohol to help combat the Abu Sayyaf stragglers is sound. However, there are two sides to the coin.

Owning a firearm is in itself a deterrent to violence, knowing that someone with a gun can easily defend himself from attackers.

On the other hand, having easy access to a gun also meant many disputes that could have been settled by talking were settled often with violence.