Author Topic: How many feel that their countries gun laws are too strict... (Read 3055 times)

Dune · « **Reply #75 on:** February 09, 2004, 12:32:23 PM »

Fine with me. It is your choice to live there under those social rules. I believe that all men have the right to keep and bear arms. And, like the right to remain silent, a person can give up a right. You feel better haven given up yours. Whether it was due to location or culture. I like my country's rules better than yours. But that is my opinion.

Either way, while someday I hope to visit your country, please dont't be offended if I don't move there.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #76 on:** February 09, 2004, 12:34:34 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Dune

Either way, while someday I hope to visit your country, please dont't be offended if I don't move there.

Curval · « **Reply #77 on:** February 09, 2004, 12:40:38 PM »

No offense taken.

I've visited the US many times...I also have no desire to live there. Way too many guns...and way too many taxes. I've given up the right to pay those taxes...oh my!

Curval · « **Reply #78 on:** February 09, 2004, 12:43:14 PM »

But...just to clarify. I gave up no "right" to bear arms at all.

Americans were "bestowed" that right in your constitution. Don't make the mistake of thinking we lost something.

ravells · « **Reply #79 on:** February 09, 2004, 12:43:45 PM »

Slightly off topic:

This is a question to those of you like Dune who own WW2 guns.

How close do games like 'Call of Duty' and 'Medal of Honor' come to firing the real thing (within the limitations of a computer of course) are the sounds, recoil, firing rates well modelled?

Thanks

Ravs

Stoned Gecko · « **Reply #80 on:** February 09, 2004, 12:53:23 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by beet1e
Who knows... but you strengthen my point of view if you're saying that many/most are committed by someone other than the legally registered owner. If not kept in a secure safe like the one Lazs has, guns can be stolen and get into bad hands. Or criminals who want a gun might be willing to pay a premium to get hold of one, and make someone an offer he cannot refuse... Wasn't one of those Columbine kids involved in selling on weapons to the criminal underworld to make a few $?

I don't know if the any of the Columbine kids were invovled in any weapons trade. My point was that if the crime wasn't commited by the registered owner, then the criminal already showed that he was willing to break the law to obtain the gun. You can put all the laws in place you want, and that person will STILL obtain the gun.

I agree on the point of keeping weapons safe and secure. That kinda came to me last night. That means that the owner has to be held liable if it was determined the gun wasn't kept in a safe place, like the top sock drawer.

Here's what I do notice: when a car accident happens, the course of action is to educate the public; when a plane crashes: the course of action is to educate the public; if someone overdoses on some household chemical, the course of action is to educate the public; someone gets shot, the course of action is ban guns? What happened to educating the public?

Curval · « **Reply #81 on:** February 09, 2004, 12:58:28 PM »

How do you educate someone not to get shot? I mean, not everyone in the US has guns, right? Does Old Mrs Jones need a gun saftey course after someone gets shot in her home town when she has never, ever, owned a gun?

I travel to the US alot....please educate me how not to get shot. I'd particularly like to know how to avoid stray bullets.

Many thanks.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #82 on:** February 09, 2004, 01:07:25 PM »

Incidently, there was an article recently released showing that 32% of handguns (highest % of any age bracket) were people 65 years and older. Just thought I'd mention that.

ravells · « **Reply #83 on:** February 09, 2004, 01:07:50 PM »

Quote

My point was that if the crime wasn't commited by the registered owner, then the criminal already showed that he was willing to break the law to obtain the gun. You can put all the laws in place you want, and that person will STILL obtain the gun.

I think it's a numbers game, Gecko. The easier that guns are to obtain, then the probability is that more people who shouldn't have them will be able to obtain them.

Ravs

Stoned Gecko · « **Reply #84 on:** February 09, 2004, 01:08:31 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Curval
How do you educate someone not to get shot? I mean, not everyone in the US has guns, right? Does Old Mrs Jones need a gun saftey course after someone gets shot in her home town when she has never, ever, owned a gun?

Probably the same way you don't educate people how to not get run over. And Mrs. Jones won't need an auto safety course since she doesn't drive.

Educate the gun owners on how to keep their weapons secure when not in use. Make it a requirement and make the owners liable if the weapon was stolen and used in crime. A ban is not an answer to everything. It will not affect criminals who are willing to seek weapons illegaly.

Quote

I travel to the US alot....please educate me how not to get shot. I'd particularly like to know how to avoid stray bullets.

Many thanks.

Duck

Curval · « **Reply #85 on:** February 09, 2004, 01:11:28 PM »

A Duck? Where?

Stoned Gecko · « **Reply #86 on:** February 09, 2004, 01:17:22 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by ravells
I think it's a numbers game, Gecko. The easier that guns are to obtain, then the probability is that more people who shouldn't have them will be able to obtain them.

Ravs

It is a numbers game, yes. It is also a game of supply and demand. If enough criminals want guns, they will get them.

Stoned Gecko · « **Reply #87 on:** February 09, 2004, 01:18:40 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Curval
A Duck? Where?

You mean where you can find one? Up to you. You'll have to bring the duck from abroad. US ducks will just increase your chances of getting hit by stray bullets.

Curval · « **Reply #88 on:** February 09, 2004, 01:22:01 PM »

Clearly you didn't watch enough Looney Toons when you were young.

ravells · « **Reply #89 on:** February 09, 2004, 01:37:36 PM »

Good point Gecko, although you have to factor in whether someone who might want to buy a gun on a whim would do so if they were not so easy to buy.

I was thinking more of 'spur of the moment gun crimes' resulting in multiple killings, like Columbine or crimes of passion etc rather than criminals to whom the gun is a tool of their trade.

I do have a sad feeling that Lasz might be right about the proliferation of unlicensed weapons being used for crime in the UK reaching such a high volume that at some point law abiding citizens will pass laws for 'concealed carry' here. We are still some way from that point (and I hope we never get there), although I think the US has passed that point by the sheer number of guns floating around in the country.

Although we still have a relatively small incidence of illegal gun ownership compared to you lot, the number appears to be rising (just IMHO - I have not seen any numbers on this).

For the first time in our history, a couple of weeks ago (I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned by the pro gun lobby here) someone with a gun held up diners in a swanky restaurant in London and relieved them of their valuables. My fear is that with the press coverage it received copy cat crimes will follow.

I still don't think we need concealed carry in the UK, but that is something which should always be under review.

Ravs