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General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: StarOfAfrica2 on September 01, 2005, 03:21:33 PM

Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: StarOfAfrica2 on September 01, 2005, 03:21:33 PM
Ok Beetle, here you go.  Expound away.  This is in response to your last post in the thread on shootings in New Orleans.

Quote
Not here, they don't. That's why there are so many crimes committed with replica guns. Those crimes still count as gun crimes though. The point is that why would they use a replica gun instead of the real thing, when the penalty is the same. And the answer is that they cannot always get their hands on guns - the real thing. But I do concede that they can sometimes get their hands on real guns. Nashwan posted some stats - he said that 48% of gun crimes in Britain were committed with replica weapons. And when it comes to stats, Nashwan is da man. I would not dispute any stats he comes up with.


Ok, first of all, just a simple logical point I'd like to make, and a question, and then you go right ahead.  

What exactly is a "replica gun"?  Obviously if its still capable of killing, then it must be functional in some way.  I know what my definition of a "replica gun" is, its simply a replica of an antique gun no longer produced by the original manufacturer or at least not produced in its original form.  They are still considered fully functional guns though.  So I'm curious what your definition is.  

Also, I'm curious just how many law abiding citizens there are in Britain who own guns.  Because I know there are some.  I was under the impression it was merely difficult to obtain them, not impossible.  Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: Curval on September 01, 2005, 03:25:58 PM
I can answer the replica gun question...it is NOT capable of anything other than pretending to look real.  It is used in crimminal activities to scare people.
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: takeda on September 01, 2005, 03:29:02 PM
Replica = toy gun that looks more or less real.
Happens a lot here in Spain too. In fact only organized crime or terrorists use firearms extensively here. Your regular perp migth have an old cranky handgun or a hunting rifle but the black market is scarce and quite expensive, so most of them tend to use knives or fake firearms.

Last year police caught a guy in my town that had robbed 3 groceries entering disguised as an old lady and then  wielding an axe... :lol
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: StarOfAfrica2 on September 01, 2005, 03:34:40 PM
Ok, fair enough.  That still means that over half the gun crimes in Britain (however low that number is, I have no idea) are committed with real guns?

I know there are private citizens with guns.  I have pictures of some of them.  SASS has several members in other countries, inlcuding Britain.  Obviously there's still a market for guns there, no matter if its legitimate or not (and I know at least part of it has to be).
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: Nashwan on September 01, 2005, 04:04:23 PM
Quote
Also, I'm curious just how many law abiding citizens there are in Britain who own guns. Because I know there are some. I was under the impression it was merely difficult to obtain them, not impossible. Please correct me if I'm wrong.


As of the 2003/04 figures, there were 122,076 firearms certificate holders in England and Wales, with 342,213 firearms. There were 569,948 shotgun certificate holders, with 1,372,712 shotguns.

It's difficult to get a certificate, but anyone eligible (no serious criminal record, history of major irresponisbile actions, mental illness) will get a certificate if they show a reason for wanting a gun (member of a club, land to hunt on, vermin control etc), and show they have somewhere secure to store it.

About 1 - 1.5% of applications are refused, and a tiny number of licences are revoked during the year (195 firearms certificates were revoked last year)

What's difficult to get are handguns. Handgun licences are impossible to obtain in most cases.

It's handguns that are the favoured weapon of criminals. According to the FBI, of the murder cases where they have received details of the type of weapon used, 7,701 were with handguns, 390 with rifles, 452 with shotguns. That's over 90%.

(about 70 people were murdered with guns in England and Wales last year)
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: Mukiwa on September 01, 2005, 04:55:09 PM
Replica guns are something that are popular in the UK for two reasons - since real firearms are illegal and strictly controlled - I think illegal ownership has a 5 year  jail sentence - those that wish to own firearms buy replica's.

Replica's are used by those that feel that ownership of a firearm confers upon themselves power and respect - ie Fear me I have a gun! - in this they are the same as the weirdo's that HAVE to have 23 weapons to "protect" themselves -  and secondly those that actually use the non functioning replica in criminal activities.

This is obviously not that effective and some of these "replica's" are well made enough and strong enough to be rebored to take a .22 or .32 rimmed cartridge.

Basically you're talking a modern version of the zip gun - it's a stupid trade and I think it's about to be stopped.
Title: Re: Questions for Beetle
Post by: straffo on September 01, 2005, 05:22:32 PM
Quote
Originally posted by StarOfAfrica2
What exactly is a "replica gun"?  Obviously if its still capable of killing, then it must be functional in some way.  I know what my definition of a "replica gun" is, its simply a replica of an antique gun no longer produced by the original manufacturer or at least not produced in its original form.  

Réplica
(http://www.fusil-calais.com/a_data/prods/F505.gif)
or not
?
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: StarOfAfrica2 on September 01, 2005, 06:10:38 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Nashwan
As of the 2003/04 figures, there were 122,076 firearms certificate holders in England and Wales, with 342,213 firearms. There were 569,948 shotgun certificate holders, with 1,372,712 shotguns.

It's difficult to get a certificate, but anyone eligible (no serious criminal record, history of major irresponisbile actions, mental illness) will get a certificate if they show a reason for wanting a gun (member of a club, land to hunt on, vermin control etc), and show they have somewhere secure to store it.

About 1 - 1.5% of applications are refused, and a tiny number of licences are revoked during the year (195 firearms certificates were revoked last year)

What's difficult to get are handguns. Handgun licences are impossible to obtain in most cases.

It's handguns that are the favoured weapon of criminals. According to the FBI, of the murder cases where they have received details of the type of weapon used, 7,701 were with handguns, 390 with rifles, 452 with shotguns. That's over 90%.

(about 70 people were murdered with guns in England and Wales last year)


Thanks, thats along the lines of what I wanted to know.
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: Sandman on September 01, 2005, 06:17:15 PM
Now, dicks have drive and clarity of vision, but they are not clever. They smell ***** and they want a piece of the action. And you thought you smelled some good old *****, and have brought your two small mincey studmuffingot balls along for a good old time. But you've got your parties mangled up. There's no ***** here, just a dose that'll make you wish you were born a woman. Like a salamander, you are having second thoughts. You are shrinking, and your two little balls are shrinking with ya. The fact that you've got "Replica" written down the side of your gun. (withdraws his gun) And the fact that I've got "Desert Eagle point five O" written on the side of mine, should precipitate your balls into shrinking, along with your presence. Now... **** off.
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: Hangtime on September 01, 2005, 06:23:39 PM
ROFLMAO!  Slap on the paddles and hit the juice.

I think I'm having a heart attack!
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: StarOfAfrica2 on September 01, 2005, 06:32:59 PM
straffo.......

Replica

(http://www.riverjunction.com/catalog/guns/BPguns/51navy.jpg)

Non-Firing Replica

(http://www.riverjunction.com/catalog/guns/non60arm.jpg)

Real

(http://www.ken-drake.com/images/Colt_1851_London_Navy.jpg)

Can you tell (without my labels) which one is which?  I dont see the point of selling large numbers of fakes.  Its a good way to get killed if the police think you have a real gun.  A copy of a historical piece?  Sure.  But why copies of modern guns?  Thats just silly.
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: AKH on September 01, 2005, 07:35:52 PM
Source countries for illegal firearms

7.16 Recoveries have been made in the UK of illegal firearms originating from Argentina, Australia, South Africa, Israel, Croatia and Switzerland, and especially the USA.

NCIS report (http://www.ncis.co.uk/ukta/2003/threat07.asp)
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: straffo on September 01, 2005, 11:49:53 PM
Quote
Originally posted by StarOfAfrica2

Can you tell (without my labels) which one is which?  I dont see the point of selling large numbers of fakes.  Its a good way to get killed if the police think you have a real gun.  A copy of a historical piece?  Sure.  But why copies of modern guns?  Thats just silly.


No I cannot identify the replica neither will a shop owner under hold up :)

I don't know who (and why) buy modern gun ,it make no sense for me.
The pict I posted is a air soft gun , all I know is it used for recreational purpose ...
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: StarOfAfrica2 on September 02, 2005, 01:31:21 AM
I've seen those.  I applaud Airsoft on the one hand for their talent in making air guns that look real.  We use some of them for the kids at the gun club fun shoots.  On the other hand, those are copies of antique guns and not copies of modern semi-automatics.  Why anyone would make those, and why any idiot would buy one and carry it is beyond me.  Well, I take that back.  Some might try to get one to use to intimidate people, as is apparently what is happening.  But to me, the thought of running into someone with a REAL gun while all I have is a fake that shoots bbs.............thats scary.
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: Yeager on September 02, 2005, 02:27:32 AM
I remember those old black and white films of brits rehearsing for the battle against hitlers invasion forces.  They were drilling with broomsticks and garden impliments.

Thank God for the RAF, had it not been for the bravery of those few men, England would would have been lost.  That was one close deal.

At least in the USA we can fire on aggressive ambulance helocopters, trying to invade our disaster zone.
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: straffo on September 02, 2005, 02:28:14 AM
But except for the cops you would not likely run into someone with a real gun ... at least in France
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: Jackal1 on September 02, 2005, 02:51:54 AM
What in the H was you thinking?
There is no guns within at least 2 or 4 galaxies of Beet.
  Guns would interfere with your common, recreational woman beater. Might run up on some friggen furner woman from the U.S. that would cap Yo ***> :0
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: Mukiwa on September 02, 2005, 04:14:29 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Sandman
Now, dicks have drive and clarity of vision, but they are not clever. They smell ***** and they want a piece of the action. And you thought you smelled some good old *****, and have brought your two small mincey studmuffingot balls along for a good old time. But you've got your parties mangled up. There's no ***** here, just a dose that'll make you wish you were born a woman. Like a salamander, you are having second thoughts. You are shrinking, and your two little balls are shrinking with ya. The fact that you've got "Replica" written down the side of your gun. (withdraws his gun) And the fact that I've got "Desert Eagle point five O" written on the side of mine, should precipitate your balls into shrinking, along with your presence. Now... **** off.


hehe great movie
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: beet1e on September 02, 2005, 08:26:25 AM
Hey Africa!

I think the others have covered the replica gun issue. I understand that some real guns which have been deactivated (firing pin removed?) are sometimes reactivated for use in crimes.

Like Nashwan says, it's pretty much impossible to get a handgun permit these days, and it wasn't easy even before the 1997 gun "ban" , as you guys are fond of calling it.

Of about 14,000 homicides in the US in 2003, more than 9600 were carried out with guns - mostly handguns. Here, murderers have to resort to much less efficient means - sharp instruments etc., or not bother at all, so the number of homicides is much less - about 750 annually, of which about 70 will be by guns as Nashwan says.

I'm pretty sure that gun owners in the UK would form an extreme minority. Most people don't feel any need to own a gun. But as Nashwan says, we could own a shotgun - if we kept it in a locked safe like the one Lazs has in his back room.

Whether it's better to be armed in an armed society, or unarmed in an unarmed society is a matter of personal preference. I feel safe in my daily life without a gun, and I would not want to feel compelled to carry a gun just to feel safe, which is what many posters on this board do.

But which is better - armed or unarmed? In New Orleans this week, we hear of armed looters carrying out their illegal acts, and of idiots with guns firing upon the very people trying to carry out rescue operations. Compare that with London on July 7th - we had a tragedy of our own that day, as four bombs exploded, killing and maiming many. But I do not recall any incidents of Londoners firing on the police or rescue services.

Some people like to think that being armed represents "more freedom". In South Africa, it is legal to own a gun, and many people do. Partly because there are so many guns available there, it's not surprising that the homicide rate in South Africa is on a par with that of the USA. But do the people feel they have more freedom? The white middle classes live in compounds surrounded by 8ft walls, and it's not safe to be out at night.  That's not my idea of freedom.

Guns = more freedom? Well, South Africans are giving up their gun owning rights, and are flocking to Britain in droves. Funny that...
:confused:
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: Skydancer on September 02, 2005, 10:05:05 AM
I'm with you beet my socialist brother!:lol ( in the world according to Lazs anyhow! :huh )
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: indy007 on September 02, 2005, 10:19:56 AM
Quote
Originally posted by StarOfAfrica2
I've seen those.  I applaud Airsoft on the one hand for their talent in making air guns that look real.  


You kinda lose your enthusiasm for the realism when you're handcuffed, sitting on the curb while the police are searching your SUV.

It was funny the first 2 times, by the third it had gotten pretty annoying.

edit: Should point out that my paintball guns have gotten my car searched twice as many times as my airsoft guns... always got the same reason "well somebody paintballed the local (fill in the blank)"
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: lazs2 on September 02, 2005, 10:37:35 AM
this is hillarious.... nashwan knows that 48% of the guns used in crimes are fake?   They catch every criminal in england and then what.... either find the gun on em or .... or... ask em what they used?

If a gun is fake and you don't know it... is it less dangerous or traumatic to the victim?   A fake gun is only effective on sheep that are not allowed to defend themselves with real firearms... the whole fake gun thing is proof that your policies don't work.... even a fake gun is more than your populace can deal with.

england.... nothing really counts except the fact that you haven't protected anyone by giving up your right to defend yourself... argue that violent crime has gone way up or gone down a little because of the way you manipulate the numbers.... doesn't matter.... it hasn't changed enough to justify it by anyones standards... by a free mans standards... no reduction is enough..

Vermont and switzerland and israel... lots of guns there.... pretty much unrestricted.... less gun crime than the restricted areas of the U.S..... does that mean that we should be going that direction?  

Name a gun law in the U.S. that has been proven to make people safer?   I can surely point to some places here where it is indeed very unsafe even tho guns are all but banned.   Vermont has no restrictions.... Is it the wild west?  is it as dangerous as say detroit or chicago or new york city where guns are banned?   Is it more unsafe to live in than the whole state of Ma. that has severe gun restrictions?

What are you guys using in place of logic and common sense to get through the day?   Are you afraid to travel to America or switzerland or the state of Vermont?

lazs
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: beet1e on September 02, 2005, 10:59:40 AM
Quote
Originally posted by lazs2
What are you guys using in place of logic and common sense to get through the day?   Are you afraid to travel to America or switzerland or the state of Vermont?
I have already explained once. You have it backwards with Vermont. You seem to believe that Vermont has low crime because there are no gun restrictions. The fact is that it's the other way round - there has never been the need for supplementary gun laws because crime has always been low. Why's that? Because crime is concentrated in densely populated urban areas - large cities where there's a mix of crime, drugs, gangs, ethnic minorities etc. Maybe that has something to do with the fact that the three states with your three largest cities do not allow concealed weapons, and may explain why it's not permitted to own a gun for self defence in Washington DC.

Now compare that with Vermont, which doesn't have any large cities. Its largest city is Burlington, with a population of ~40,000 and less than 800 blacks. The ingredients for a major crime wave just aren't there.

I've never been to Switzerland, but it's the same deal - no ethnic mixing, no social underclass - and no idiots who would shoot the people trying to rescue them if they got into trouble.
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: lazs2 on September 02, 2005, 11:12:37 AM
soo... it is ehtnic peoples that cause crime and whenever you have people of different races you must disarm the entire rest of the country?   How does that figure with lilly white england and it's 97% white population?   Also... if there was no crime to begin with... why would you ban guns?  How has englands homicide rate dropped since any gun ban?   If it hasn't.... then why would your government bother?   or perhaps....

your people voted to ban guns on their own?

lazs
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: Skydancer on September 02, 2005, 11:18:33 AM
When are you going to understand we didn't vote for a gun ban. Our Govt tightened up the already pretty tough rules in light of a few serious shooting incedents. After WW2 we have never had the kind of gun use or ownership you guys had. We haven't lost any freedoms we just tightened up the already existing regulations. The UK does not have a "gun ban" we just don't find the need to carry arms and most of us quite like it that way.

Its realy funny that you think we are a nation of soft lily livered socialists. I've a sneeky feeling that the rest of Europe might not share that view. One of the things we do best as a nation is travel round the world kicking crud out of other people! sadly.
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: lazs2 on September 02, 2005, 11:30:04 AM
thank you for making my point... of course you didn't vote to ban guns... you had no rights so the government told you what was best for you.... your gun owners turned in their guns like good little sheep..  there was no rights and no democracy involved.

In australia I believe the figure is like 4% of the guns were turned in.... they are still out there.... stashed away... illegaly...good for you aussies.

lazs
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: beet1e on September 02, 2005, 12:23:01 PM
Quote
Originally posted by lazs2
if there was no crime to begin with... why would you ban guns?  How has englands homicide rate dropped since any gun ban?   If it hasn't.... then why would your government bother?
Because there was gun crime in the years before the 1920 Firearms Act was passed. 6 police officers were shot and killed in the years 1908-1912, and nearly 100 more were shot and wounded in the same period. Consideration had been given to banning guns before WW1, but when WW1 occurred one assumes that other more pressing matters were given priority. With WW1 over, it was realised that with many of the serving WW1 soldiers having come from the criminal classes, there would be a flood of guns coming back to the country in criminal hands. So it was decided that action was needed.

I'm like SkyDancer - I have no regrets about how things turned out. At least we don't have gangs of armed looters shooting at the police. And when we had some fairly major flooding a few years ago, it wasn't necessary to send in the SAS with orders to shoot to kill.
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: lazs2 on September 02, 2005, 12:54:28 PM
hmm.... so you didn't ban guns to protect people but to protect the government and it's forces?   Or maybe I read that wrong.... a few cops were shot so that was a good enough reason to take away the rights of millions?

or maybe you really were saying that you banned guns because of their potential for harm even tho there was no proof of this?

How would you explain all the subsequent further bans then?   more fear?  

no problem during your flooding?  that's nice.   Would you say that our having guns is causing the looting?   my having guns is causing people to loot?   what are you saying?   Maybe you are saying that if a government rules with an iron hand then crime will drop.... like in soviet russia?   no... that can't be it since your crime has gone up (or stayed the same depending on how you juggle the numbers).

Do you really think your government banned guns to help you?

lazs
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: Sandman on September 02, 2005, 12:56:10 PM
Hey look guys... another lively discussion between Beet1e and Lazs2 about gun control.


Watch closely, otherwise you might miss a new point in this neverending debate.


:aok
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: beet1e on September 02, 2005, 02:00:24 PM
Lazs - yes, a few cops were shot, and it was realised that the problem would get a whole lot worse post WW1 unless action was taken. Given that only 2 cops have been shot and killed from 1984 to the present, I think TPTB got it right. They only had to look to America and the Wild West to know how it would turn out if they did nothing.
Quote
no problem during your flooding? that's nice. Would you say that our having guns is causing the looting? my having guns is causing people to loot? what are you saying?
I'm saying that your country's policy of arming everyone who wants to be armed, including criminals and idiots is a factor which has led to gangs of armed criminals and looters in the streets of New Orleans. I'm not saying that guns change law abiding folks into criminals or idiots, but I am saying that guns make criminals and idiots into much more dangerous criminals and idiots.

You have in the past cited the number of people killed by guns each year as a pittance, and a price worth paying for the right to bear arms. So I don't suppose you're too concerned that a few National Guardsmen may lose their lives in New Orleans in the coming weeks as they attempt to restore order. After all, their lives form part of that price.
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: Yeager on September 02, 2005, 02:03:55 PM
At least we don't have gangs of armed looters shooting at the police. And when we had some fairly major flooding a few years ago, it wasn't necessary to send in the SAS with orders to shoot to kill.
====
please note that hurricane covered 155,000 square miles at its peak ferocity.  It would have covered your island completely.

You should try and grasp the ferocity of the storm and severity of the aftermath before making silly comparrisons.
Title: Questions for Beetle
Post by: Skuzzy on September 02, 2005, 02:19:55 PM
Yes, yes, let's see if we can piss off more people from you two (lazs/beet1e) having this same discussion again.  Take it email.