General Gun Discussion

[Holden McGroin]

Legally Moot, its a major hassle to procure a private firearm in the UK.

Handguns - banned

Shotguns - you need a valid reason, lockable storage and a police check before even being considered for a shotgun certificate.

Air Rifle - If the airrifle is below 12 ft/lbs - you can own as many as you like - but you are very very restricted on where you can shoot them (legally - we have a lot of air rifle shooters that dont care about where and when - which destroys the sport for the reponsible guys - which I admit really annoys me)

If the airrifle is above 12 ft/lbs, you need a firearms certificate - with the same bits n bobs as outlined for the shotguns.

If you want a "real" rifle - you need a firearms certificate, a good reason and very deep pockets - it can be done, but its restricted.

We've had too many moron's commiting horrendous acts (which could have been stopped by the application of the various rules etc regarding ownership) for the nanny state. So, instead of applying the rules that were there in the first place, its ban, ban, ban now. Typical knee jerk reaction for this and previous governments (which in my opinion could have been avoided by people doing their jobs - ho hum)

Wurzel

Hence the UK Olympic Shooting team has some problems.

BBC
Many British competitors currently have to travel to Switzerland to practise but changes to the rules could help Britain's medal hopes in Beijing and also at the 2012 London Games.

[SteveBailey]

Good article.  Um;erss they can resist the lure, this should pull out some amerihaters soon.     

[texasmom]

I kinda got a kick out of the "every household is required by local ordinance to possess a gun," line,
and whole heartedly agree with the part that says "if you break into their homes they will probably kill you."

[DieAz]

if the police had a good response time, probably wouldnt buy one
Wurzel

that is not a good reason.
the police have no obligation to be your personal bodyguard.
protecting the public is one thing, protecting an individual is something else.

the motto "to protect and serve" is just that. a motto, nothing more.

depending on the police for protection is like depending on the umbrella you left at home in a closet to keep you dry when it starts raining.
(how is that for a run on sentence?)

[gpwurzel]

Fair point DieAz, but I'm not expecting the police to protect me as an individual - I am however expecting the police to respond in a reasonable timeframe to stop my family and property being invaded/destroyed/whatever (which is their job? - not slamming on any police/Leo's on the board)

Were I to be in a place where that response time was unlikely to be met (ie, out in the wilds, living a few miles outta town etc - then I'd definitely be in the market for a personal weapon - plus getting a refresher course/update course on all that entails with that purchase).

Obviously, I'd love to just buy one - (no, not in the UK) - but would need to have a valid reason for me (everyone has different views on whats valid)

Wurzel

[Jackal1]

Wasn't it Nashwan or Cpxxx that was saying you couldn't get your hands on a gun in the UK without a lot of work?

Beetless says they don`t even have the word gun in the dictionary there. 

[storch]

Fair point DieAz, but I'm not expecting the police to protect me as an individual - I am however expecting the police to respond in a reasonable timeframe to stop my family and property being invaded/destroyed/whatever (which is their job? - not slamming on any police/Leo's on the board)

Were I to be in a place where that response time was unlikely to be met (ie, out in the wilds, living a few miles outta town etc - then I'd definitely be in the market for a personal weapon - plus getting a refresher course/update course on all that entails with that purchase).

Obviously, I'd love to just buy one - (no, not in the UK) - but would need to have a valid reason for me (everyone has different views on whats valid)

Wurzel

I am a friend of law enforcement.  the police force in my town pretty much hangs out at my shop.  when on duty they hide under a shade tree and from there radar speeders and hand out reams of citations daily.  in time I have come to have a fairly deep level of friendship with a few officers and I can tell you what I am about to type with a reasonably sure feeling that my conclusion regarding LEPs can be uniformly applied across the board.

1. he will take care of himself
2. he will attempt to take care of a fellow officer
3. he'll eventually get around to taking care of the public if it is not too much trouble.  he would rather arrive after a bit and take the report.

not an unreasonable thing to do or attitude to maintain, most are a family men who want to return home after the end of their shift.

as has always been the case we are each of us responsible for our own safety and well being.  here in the united states we are permitted to do so at present.  we of this generation owe it to our forefathers to pass the same freedoms onto our progeny.

[Curval]

Wasn't it Nashwan or Cpxxx that was saying you couldn't get your hands on a gun in the UK without a lot of work?

I said you couldn't get one where I live without alot of work AND alot of risk.

I offer anyone to come and try, but be advised, if you ask the wrong person or manage to get caught along the way you will spend alot of time here albeit at our tax payers expense.  When I say alot...try 20 years.

[gpwurzel]

Nice insight Storch, ty. Looks like I'll be in the market once over (oh dear, I can see this ending badly  - I may have to extend my trailer  )

I'm so tempted to ask for opinions on favourite personal weapons (but I wont...errr,...ish )


Curval - yep, lots of time to consider their actions - I dont agree with the ban, but thats a completely different argument.

Wurzel

[storch]

I said you couldn't get one where I live without alot of work AND alot of risk.

I offer anyone to come and try, but be advised, if you ask the wrong person or manage to get caught along the way you will spend alot of time here albeit at our tax payers expense.  When I say alot...try 20 years.

 if I needed a firearm and there was a hardware store I would make one in about a day from common materials.  it would work efficiently and if I so chose silently as well.

[lazs2]

so curval...  you are not saying that it can't be done... getting or making a firearm.. it is just the draconian penalties for having one that stop people?

Why then... not just allow the good guys to have firearms and make the 5th century laws you have now only for criminal use of one?   wouldn't that work just as well?

lazs

[Curval]

Storch I don't doubt that...but you had better not get caught with it.

lazs...different culture here.  We try and stop the crimminal gun violence before it happens rather than wait to punnish someone after the fact.  It doesn't always work for sure, but I'd rather the island stay this way than have everyone brandishing guns thanks very much.

[wrag]

HMMMMMM...............

Obama done stepped on his..................

or...............

http://www.townhall.com/Columnists/DougGiles/2008/04/26/bitter,_clingy_gun_owners_of_america?page=full&comments=true

I wonder?

Should all gun owners start huggin n kissin their firearms?

Oh wait!

He said it in San Francisco so that ...................

makes it alright?

I mean we all KNOW that politicians are liars when we vote right?

Sooooo..........

Actually that is one thing I find VERY IRRITATING, the they all lie thing, at the very least I would prefer to vote for one SMART we enough to KNOW how to lie well.

IMHO It's the PARTY system we currently have.  TOO much control has gone to the demlicans and the republicrats.

IMHO they have become the SAME party and are just putting on a dog and pony show for us.

[wrag]

I found this part VERY INTERESTING......

"Here are eight factoids I found that also cause backwards little old me to clutch my wood and metal friend called the gun:

1. In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. From 1929 to 1953, about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

2. In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

3. Germany established gun control in 1938, and from 1939 to 1945, a total of 13 million Jews and others who were unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated.

4. China established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952, 20 million political dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated

5. Guatemala established gun control in 1964. From 1964 to 1981, 100,000 Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

6. Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000 Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

7. Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to 1977, one million people, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

8. Defenseless people rounded up and exterminated in the 20th Century because of gun control: 56 million."

That many dead due to.........................

[Airhead]

Unfortunately gun control will be just about the only issue us voters can actually make a difference on in November. No other hot button issue can be changed- abortion? We'll still have them, even if McCain is elected. Capital punishment? It won't stop with Obama or Hillary. Iraq? Don't make me laugh- we're there for at least for more years no matter who's President.

Vote Democrat and we'll have more gun control laws, vote Republican and we'll have more erosion of the rest of our civil liberties.

Sad we call this democracy.