In contrast to most other weaponry, firearms are preeminently defensive in effect.
The bozo responsible for this "paper" lost me right here. Firearms are for killing. Nothing more, nothing less. Under threat of a firearm you will not be pointing yours at his gun hand or his leg to stop him. You will be lucky to get a chance to aim at anything but the big body he presents to you. You will shoot to kill despite whatever you say afterwards.
Defence against Firearms is a pro-active commitment. You guys are so hell bent on excusing your behaviour with an ancient document that allows no room for social progression in your society. Be proud of your constitution and what it means to you. But you can hardly cry about the state of affairs in your country with all the badguys, gangs and looney gun owners, if you arent prepared to adapt and accept that the constitution whilst probably valid in many respects cannot possibly hold true for all contingencies that now exist in your society. Essentially, your problems wont change until you yourself change.
The Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church takes the point a step further, stating that women have a Christian duty to submit to rape rather than do anything that might imperil the rapist's life. "Is the Robber My Brother?"
I'm reading this without the benefit of being familiar with Laz's post. I hope he isnt advocating the fool who wrote this or its content. I could go on quoting but this paper should be hanging in a roll in the little room of the house and hence I wont bore you taking it apart any longer.
Im not knocking Americans. Australia thought as you did. I thought as you did. Regretably and not without some shoving did I give up my weapons. I was wrong.
As a Police Officer who has faced firearm offenders. Used his own (Havent shot anyone yet thankfully) and faces these bozo's that terrorise both our societies, I can honestly say, the best thing that happened to this country was the Gun Control buy back scheme.
2 things make it harder for you guys.
1. Firearms are big business over there. There are a powerful Political entity and one many seem to fear.
2. People like the fool who wrote that paper like to use paranioa fear and behavioural distortion to reinforce their arguement. Luckily for us, those who chose to do it here didnt weild the power that exists in some of your people over there.
Appreciate the link tho. It was a good laugh, albeit a little scary

Thank you for clearing up the statute vs Constituational power Sabre. Admittedly my knowledge of it is very poor. I have a rather large belt buckle in a drawer here somewhere with a Grizzly carrying belts of ammo across his shoulders and armed with 2 M16's. It reads...
"I reserve the right to keep and arm bears."
Thats about as close as I get
