" Once again, why are handguns legal when the only use for them is to kill another human? Shotguns and rifles are used in hunting and a shotgun is much better at self defense when someone enters your home. Look at other countries that do not have legal handguns and the crime rate is way down from the US. "

" 'Cause its my 2nd amendment right, bro! Freedom isnt free! "

" Give me a break. I am so tired of you people who pound on "handguns should be illegal". You need to get a life and focus on something that really matters. Bottom line is if someone wants to kill another human being they will find a way to do it. Period. Making handguns illegal wont change a thing. "

" Actually...the crime rate in those countries is up, as it is in every US city that has banned or placed severe limits on gun ownership. Most famously, Washington D.C. Shotgun, rifle or 9mm...dead is dead Mikey. However, the shotgun leaves sometimes makes identification by dental records necessary. "

" Hello City Council and Mayor. Our police force is stretched very thin because of past budget cuts there are not any officers to completely investigate this crime and if the police do some other crime will not be investigated. (LJS's Deena Winter's article of 6 July). I thought republicans were supposed to 'tough on crime'? Our republican Council seems to be more concerned over preventing a $5 per month tax increase that would keep this problem from getting worse than instituting a long range solution. "

" Don't believe those countries have our Constitution. "

" Where in this story say the gun involved is a handgun?????  Maybe it was a shotgun?  They leave shell casing too. "

" Well i'll agree that most criminals don't use handguns for sport. If mike is going to "look at other countries" then you ought to name a few so we can see why they are successful so we can do the same. Unfortunately the guy on the porch knew the exact age(and probably identity) of the shooter so he probably stuck his neck out into someone else's bad business. "

" where does it say a handgun was used? "

" Mike buy a shotgun and protect yourself from someone illegally using a gun. Your use will have been legal. His will have been illegal.Legal ownership and use of guns has nothing to do with illegal ownership and use of guns. They are entirely different issues and are only blurred when people purposely want to distort gun issues. Surely you know this. And to differentiate between types of guns is equally as ignorant. Surely you know this. A gun is a gun. Legal is legal. Illegal is illegal. No harm will come from a gun legally owned and properly cared for. Perhaps more education for gun owners is necessary. But not arbitrarily banning guns just so you feel good. This world is a dangerous place, with or without guns. There are bad people who mean us harm. I feel safer knowing that there might be a trained gun owner nearby if someone tries to hurt me or my family. I do not feel safe in gun-free zones, because the only people in those zones potentially with guns are the bad guys. Surely you know this too. "

" I am sure this gun isn't owned legally, so why go there again? "

" Where does it say this was a handgun? It could have been a rifle or shotgun. Does that make you feel better Mike? "

" We have the CCW law here in Nebraska just like most of the nation and violent crime rate is up there also! Check out the latest crime stats. So, that shoots your theory down.

More guns on the street does not mean fewer crimes.

Personally, I do not feel safer that someone with a concealed gun is near by. And I could care less how many hours of training you had to go through. A person could go through all the hoopla and get a permit before committing crimes and there is nothing to prevent that. How do I know that that person is not a criminal? As far as I'm concerned, only criminals have a need to hide their guns. If I suspect a person has a concealed gun, I will notify the police. So, all you gun toting CCW permit holders, beware, I might be standing next to you and I will be contacting the police about that bulge in your clothing. "

" Nothing in 2nd Amendment says you have to be able to own a handgun. You can still be armed without handguns. Of course if you do make them illegal, can you imagine the, they would be like another illegal drug. And what are you going to do with the millions or billions already out there? I don't have a problem regulating gun ownership but banning them is a no brainer. Can't do it, wont work. "

" I'm sure if you make handguns illegal the guns will go away because criminals would never break the law. "

" Yes, because someone with criminal tendencies is going to go through the training and trouble and background check just to be able to carry a concealed weapon 1 time. Yep, those sleeper criminals are cagey, they sure are. "

" Why has this story become the fodder for the liberal hand-wringing "handguns are bad" group? I think most can infer from this that 1)There must be a reason (good or bad) this guy was on his portch at 5am, the average person is not; 2) Somehow a specific 21yr old male has been identified and the police are looking for him. Doesn't really seem like a random deal, does it? I'd say that if this 21yr old really wanted to hurt this guy, he would have found a way, gun or no gun. Give it a rest. "

" Let me defend Mike... First off, it does not say the gun was a handgun.. but who is going to carry a shotgun out on the streets and fire on someone at 410 in the morning?!?!? get real people, it was obviously a handgun. Second, they should be illegal. It doesnt matter if the gun was stolen or not. Guns are stolen from GUNSHOPS and places like SCHEELS all the time. Why are guns available there anyway (handguns)?!?!? I know, it's our right to bear arms... BUT GIVE ME A BREAK.... anyone who defends handgun use besides the need for police use needs to get a reality check. CHECK YOUR FACTS!!! Nearly 90% of all murders are commited with a gun.. and yes countries with illegal gun use DO HAVE lower crime rates. Does any one of you have any criminal justice experience or do all these comments come from ignorance. My freakin goodness.. "

" You really think that because handguns (or guns even in general) is the reason our crime rate sets at a certain point!? What I dont think some of you get is this - the people that use the guns on other people are going to get them and use them regardless if they are illegal or not - period. To ignore this fact is ignorant alone and you dont need a law degree to know this! If you are bored, why dont you look into how many guns end up missing from police stations - before you hammer on stores. "

" Hey unreal,
You say that it "obviously" must of been a handgun that was shot because no one is going to carry a shotgun around to shoot it?? Hey...try reading the article in TODAYS paper. There was a rural Lincoln home hit by 7 rifle shots! Still think that no one is going to carry a bigger weapon around to use it?? "

" Ignorance is assuming that a handgun was used because no one ever uses a rifle or shotgun to shoot at someone. "