In Britain we've never had more than 100 gun murders in any year

[Toad]

Originally posted by Angus
Usefulness of handguns, I fail to see.
 

Usefulness of rum, I fail to see also. But some people like it, I guess.

In fact there's quite a few things others seem to like that I cannot see the usefulness of, but then that's their business.

[X2Lee]

Originally posted by NUKE
Beet1e wrote

 

So I ask, why does Beet1e feel there was a need to ban most guns after 1996?

Wouldnt you have to compare britons land mass to ours for this to be relative?  

[Replicant]

I can't understand the endless debate on US/UK gun laws.

Being British, I can't even remember a time when guns had been popular even before the banning of certain calibres & types.

I feel safe without guns, I know the Police aren't crazy enough to point a gun at me if I crash my car; I know the chances of anyone attacking me aren't going to have a gun; I know if someone breaks into my home the chances of them having a gun is remote too.  I can cope with that.  It feels more like a level playing field if that makes sense?  Of course the freedom to buy a gun and to join a gun club would be good, but I can live without them; if the majority have never really had them then what is there to miss?  

As for murders, guns are easier to kill with than a knife.  You simply point and shoot, then run!  Very little to be left at the scene of the crime.  With a knife you have to get close, stab, get covered in blood, probably end up in a physical fight leaving more clues at the scene of the crime.  So unless the person is a complete lunatic then surely they'd think twice attacking someone with a knife rather than a gun?

[Toad]

Actually, according to Home Office statistics, your murders favor using sharp instruments over guns by a three to one margin.  

[Soviet]

I don't care what Europe does with guns.  The thing I fear is that Europe is rubbing it off onto us.  We already have all these stupid bans.

[Nashwan]

Actually, according to Home Office statistics, your murders favor using sharp instruments over guns by a three to one margin.

That's because they can't get guns.

In the US, where both are freely available, (knives even more so than guns), the criminals choose guns.

[Toad]

Yep, they're using knives.

Dead is dead. By golf club, gun, sharp instrument or cricket bat.

And the stats are "very stable" according to the Home Office.

[rc51]

Everybody is missing the point!
It is not the guns people Its the morons who cant control there emotions and use them to kill!!!!!!
If there where no guns trust me people would still find creative ways of killing one another.
I own guns not for protection but for the pure sport of trying to hit a target up 1000 yards away.
It is indeed a sport that commands all of your senses.
We as a race (HUMANS) need to put back the value of human life.
It simply is not ours to take ..........................
The fact that some people choose to use a gun in the offence of a crime is indeed sad but the real sad part is there need to commit the crime in the first place.
Look Americas past was in part formed by the firearm its part of our history and i dont see it going away any time soon.
We are the most heavly armed country on the planet thats one reasone why we will never be invaded easely.
I think it sad that the peoples of europe have to go thrue all the watermelon just to own a hunting weapon but it was you who let you governments strip you of your rights a long time ago.
Say if someday some nut (HITLER RING A BELL) comes alond and says gee i dont like those britts i think there weak and i am going to gas them all to hell.
What will you as citizene do then??
Cant always count on your military can you.
Oh I know what you will do you will call good old uncle sam and his country of pistol packin cowboys to come save your butts once again!!

[-tronski-]

Originally posted by NUKE
You are correct is in that what Beet1e thinks is irrelevant.

I was looking at the BBC talking point yesterday regarding the gun ban....... seems most Brits that posted didn't support the ban.


Be interesting to have an official poll of Brits regarding the issue.

Gee I wonder how many of those who posted don't want their guns banned???

That's because they can't get guns.

In the US, where both are freely available, (knives even more so than guns), the criminals choose guns.

I wonder when it will sink in that IF guns were as available in Britain (as well as Aus) as they are in the US just how higher the killed by a firearm rates would be.

 Tronsky

[SOB]

Who gives a toejam what Beet1e thinks?  If he's happy to live without handguns great.  If he's naive enough to believe that handguns magically act on their own and kill people, that's his right, and good on him.  Whatever the case, he's not interested in an adult argument...he's just trying (and succeeding) to piss you off and set the hook in your mouth.

Just let it go and enjoy the fact that you have the right to own a handgun if you so choose.  Once I get out of school and have cash again, I'll enjoy excercising my right to learn how to properly fire and care for my handguns...until then, I'll pray that they don't get angry at me and take my life!


SOB

[Angus]

quote from  far above:
"As your immigration and drug problems increase you will indeed see a rise in concern over gun bans for the law abiding.. "
Up here, you would have to have full citizenship to get a gun permit. And with one, still no handgun. But in the US....naa
A buddy of mine lived in Oklahoma, - it was not a long time untill he owned  a .45. And he is NOT a US Citizen..........
Now I must confess, that I envied the fellow, - always wanted to try out a heavy handgun. However, on second thought, if that came together with the sacrifize of all the small time crooks and speed eaters also carrying one, I'd rather not.
In a society flooded with guns, and thousands being shot dead every year it must be hard to imagine how things were working otherwise, and it must be hard to turn back.

Of course guns don't act on their own and kill people. Neither do grenades, - hey- they would be fine for home protection!!!
But the handgun is quite kill inspiring. Its easily conceiled so its handy for robberies etc. Its quick and deadly at short range and can be used to hold back multiple opponents. Bigger calibers are more popular, - hell, a mere .38 probably does more damage to the human body at short range than my hunting rifle!

It is true that for a deliberate murder, one needs no handgun, - the humans with their wicked minds always find some way.
However consider how many people get shot in the frenzy of a moment, how many shooters didn't mean to really, and such.
Hell, I'd always trade a blue eye or a gash for a .45 in my belly!

BTW, where can one access online criminal statistics...worldwide?

[lazs2]

Ya know ... if you guys were neutered you would be better off too.  When everyone was neutered it would be a level playing field and... what you never had.... you wouldn't miss.   You would have a civilized rape statistic that the "home office" could point to.

A handgun is a very useful firearm.   Just as a semi auto rifle is.  The fact that you think they are useless is proof that you don't know anything about em... the fact that you don't know anything avbout em is proof that you are deprived.
lazs

[rc51]

This is funny!

hell, a mere .38 probably does more damage to the human body at short range than my hunting rifle!

You are speaking of tbhings you know little of my friend.
with out getting into modern ballistics i can give you an graphic example of how wrong the above statement is.
A 38 on average will haave a muzzel velocity of800-900 fps
my 300 win mag on the other hand is 3000 fps .
It dont take a lot of knowlege to see that the rifle is not only more accurate but will cause more enternale damage.
Dont believe me?
What the films on the Kennedy assination!!
I doubt a 38 would have removed his head like that rifle round did.
In the hands of a good shooter a hunting or sniper rifle is the most deadly weapon out there but no body is whinning about those huh.

[Crumb]

Originally posted by SOB
Who gives a toejam what Beet1e thinks?  If he's happy to live without handguns great.  If he's naive enough to believe that handguns magically act on their own and kill people, that's his right, and good on him.  Whatever the case, he's not interested in an adult argument...he's just trying (and succeeding) to piss you off and set the hook in your mouth.

Just let it go and enjoy the fact that you have the right to own a handgun if you so choose.  Once I get out of school and have cash again, I'll enjoy excercising my right to learn how to properly fire and care for my handguns...until then, I'll pray that they don't get angry at me and take my life!


SOB

Lol, Beet1e doesn't piss me off, I just like to point out the fact that he stymies himself with his own words if you give him time

He's  for guns being banned, yet he can't answer why there was a need to ban them in the first place.

If the UK never had more than 100 gun murders in any year as he says. That's a .0000016% chance of being murdered by a gun in the UK.

Because one guy killed some people at a school in 1996, the law obiding hangun owners lost their privilage to own a gun....... and are left at the mercy of criminals.

Makes a lot of sense.

edit
<------- I'm Nuke at work b.t.w. , just  to be clear

[Replicant]

Originally posted by Crumb

Because one guy killed some people at a school in 1996, the law obiding hangun owners lost their privilage to own a gun....... and are left at the mercy of criminals.

Most firearm owners were not permitted to keep their weapons at home anyway, so it's irrelevent about the laws following the murders in 1996.  The major reform came in 1987 following the Hungerford massacre.  Again the main people that were affected were members of shooting clubs.

I guess the only people that kept their firearms at home were farmers/gamekeepers/clay pigeon shooters.  The majority were kept in safes within the shooting club premises.