Author Topic: Election results. Dont be Gay in Texas or a gun owner in SF  (Read 2191 times)

Offline Widewing

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« Reply #75 on: November 13, 2005, 10:57:14 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by lazs2
Including before your latest gun ban.  Congrats on disarming the weak and innocent...   Better to live in fear on your knees than to take that 2 in 100,000 chance that you may get shot instead of beat to death eh?

lazs


It seems that gun crime in Britain has doubled over the past 6 years, despite a gun ban. Again, I think this points to something besides the availability of guns to the amount of crime. It's that "something" that most governments refuse to address, like a culture that increasingly believes violence is acceptable behavior. Which is why having law-abiding citizens
unarmed only further enables this violence.



My regards,

Widewing
My regards,

Widewing

YGBSM. Retired Member of Aces High Trainer Corps, Past President of the DFC, retired from flying as Tredlite.

Offline lazs2

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« Reply #76 on: November 13, 2005, 11:14:41 AM »
ah but wide... the socialists will chime in with..."but gun crimes are now counted even when a replica or pellet gun is used"

That's something to look forward too eh? go to jail for a replica?   What a socialists (or socipaths) paradise that little island is!

If you are strong or rich you will probly be ok tho.... as it should be eh what old bean?

lazs

Offline DREDIOCK

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« Reply #77 on: November 13, 2005, 11:18:59 AM »
WASHINGTON:-Approved: Expand ban on indoor smoking to include bars, restaurants, non-tribal casinos.

I am surprised that nobody has mentioned this one.

I can almost understand Resaurants. and maybe casinos. But Bars?

And what ever happpened to running your buisness your way?

Why not requireing a no smoking area instead?
Or giving the owner the choice?

Some resaurants here already on their own accord run "no Smoking allowed" establishments

That being said. There is one politition here in Jersey trying not only to ban smoking in Bars and restaurants. But also in your cars.
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Offline lazs2

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« Reply #78 on: November 13, 2005, 11:19:04 AM »
"The revelations on the "counting rules" put into stark relief the Government's claim that it has recently broadened the criteria by which crimes are logged, resulting in a rise in recorded incidents. In fact, under a sub-clause in the counting rules, the police are allowed to record only "one crime per person". In an incident where several crimes are committed by the same person against the same victim, only the most serious single crime is recorded.

An example given is that "a house is entered [burglary], the female occupant is raped [rape] and her car is stolen from the driveway [vehicle theft]". The statistics must overlook the burglary and car theft, the Government has ordered. The record should read only: "One crime of rape."

In another get-out, police are also told to log multiple offences as only one crime if they are all reported at the same time."

not at all what nashwan and co are trying to sell us about the paradise that is unarmed citizens living in socialism eh?

lazs

Offline beet1e

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« Reply #79 on: November 13, 2005, 01:30:15 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Widewing
It seems that gun crime in Britain has doubled over the past 6 years, despite a gun ban.
WW -  Two things.
  • By "gun ban", if you mean the 1997 legislation, that wasn't a "ban". It was a codicil to pre-existing legislation making the already very tight control of firearms even tighter still.
  • Lazs beat me to it - "gun" crime also includes replica weapons. It's a crime merely to carry such an article, whether or not it's used to commit a secondary crime, so try to keep a sense of proportion: Many of those "gun crimes" could be where some kid has obtained a replica gun to wear on his belt as a "fashion accessory"! You laugh - but it happens.
Drediock! Our nanny government is also trying to ban smoking in public places. It would suit me personally - it's nice to go into a restaurant or bar that is smoke free, such as in California where smoking is banned in every restaurant and bar in the state. (Though I found some naughty bars that turned a blind eye!)

Personally, I don't think the government needs to ban smoking. That just means another law on the statute books, and another government inspectorate to enforce it, and more tax to pay for this extra appendage of government. The pubs/restaurants themselves are adjusting their smoking policy to suit their clientele - they don't need to be told how to do that by government. Just last weekend, we passed a pub in Gloucestershire, not far from where Swoop lives - the Air Balloon at Birdlip. It is a smoke free pub whose sign bears the slogan "a pub with atmosphere, not smoke"! Other restaurants and pubs are doing the same thing. Business is brisker in the ones that have banned smoking, causing the trend to accelerate.

Offline GRUNHERZ

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« Reply #80 on: November 13, 2005, 01:35:11 PM »
The SF gun ban will be overturned on CA State Law which preempts cities enforcinf gun legislation of this sort. SF tried a similar law in 82 and it was overturned on similar grounds.

Hecke even this bans big supporters Diane Fienstein nad SF mayor Gavin Newsome have openely said that this will be overturned and even that is was a symbolic measure and an opinion poll..

Personally I hope the ban stays in effect, I think the bastartds in SF need to be taught a lesson as thir handun gun crime and murder rate jumps dramatically - but I'n cynical that way.  In any case I can bring my handgun to SF any time I want, so can any non resident...

:rofl

Offline Nashwan

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« Reply #81 on: November 13, 2005, 02:01:53 PM »
Sorry, only time for a brief reply at the moment.

Quote
"The revelations on the "counting rules" put into stark relief the Government's claim that it has recently broadened the criteria by which crimes are logged, resulting in a rise in recorded incidents. In fact, under a sub-clause in the counting rules, the police are allowed to record only "one crime per person". In an incident where several crimes are committed by the same person against the same victim, only the most serious single crime is recorded.

An example given is that "a house is entered [burglary], the female occupant is raped [rape] and her car is stolen from the driveway [vehicle theft]". The statistics must overlook the burglary and car theft, the Government has ordered. The record should read only: "One crime of rape."

In another get-out, police are also told to log multiple offences as only one crime if they are all reported at the same time."

not at all what nashwan and co are trying to sell us about the paradise that is unarmed citizens living in socialism eh?


You are aware the US police follow exactly the same procedure in reporting crimes to the FBI, aren't you? In the case given above, the FBI would also record only 1 crime, the rape.

Offline lazs2

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« Reply #82 on: November 13, 2005, 02:20:39 PM »
no... I was not.  can you give me the link?

Still... what do you think that banning guns has accomplished in england nashwan?   What do you think it would accomplish here?

lazs

Offline Nashwan

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« Reply #83 on: November 13, 2005, 04:13:41 PM »
FBI UCR handbook: http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/handbook/ucrhandbook04.pdf

To quote from it:

Quote
As a general rule, a multiple-offense situation requires classifying each of the offenses occurring and determining which of them are Part I crimes. The Hierarchy Rule requires that when more than one Part I offense is classified, the law enforcement agency must locate the offense that is highest on the hierarchy list and score that offense involved and not the other offense(s) in the multiple-offense situation.

Quote
The following scenarios illustrate the proper application of the Hierarchy Rule in reporting a multiple-offense incident.

Two women broke into a new car dealership after closing hours. They took the cash from the dealership’s office safe and two new automobiles from the garage.
Applying the Hierarchy Rule to crime reporting: A Burglary—Forcible Entry (5a), Larceny-theft (6), and a Motor Vehicle Theft (7a) were committed. Following the Hierarchy Rule, only the Burglary—Forcible Entry (5a), the highest of the offenses on the list of Part I offenses, must be scored.

A burglar broke into a home, stole several items, and placed them in a car belonging to the owner of the home. The homeowner returned and surprised the thief, who in turn knocked the owner unconscious by hitting him over the head with a chair. The burglar drove away in the homeowner’s car.
Applying the Hierarchy Rule to crime reporting: A Burglary—Forcible Entry (5a), Larceny-theft (6), Robbery—Other Dangerous Weapon (3c), Aggravated Assault—Other Dangerous Weapon (4d), and Motor Vehicle Theft—Auto (7a) occurred in this situation. After classifying the offenses, the reporting agency must score only one offense—Robbery— Other Dangerous Weapon (3c)—the crime appearing first in the list of Part I offenses.


Quote
Still... what do you think that banning guns has accomplished in england nashwan?


Guns haven't been banned. Laws have been tightened further. That hasn't made much difference in the case of rifles and shotguns, but handguns have been moved to class V, which is the same restriction as machine guns, which means they are not commonly available, unlike shotguns and rifles.

The tightening of the law has accomplished little, the previous laws were already adequate. The tightening may make spree killings harder, but not by much.

The already tight laws were very effective at preventing legally aquirred guns entering the criminal market, due to licencing (which means anyone with a serious criminal record could not legally buy a gun (and those with criminal intent tend to shy away from applying for licences and dealing with the police), registration (which meant legally aquirred guns could not be sold on to the criminal market) and safe storage (which meant criminals could not easily steal guns).

Quote
What do you think it would accomplish here?


Depends what you mean by "banning guns".

Registration would prevent legally aquirred guns being sold to criminals, licencing would deter criminals from buying guns legally, safe storage would make it harder for criminals to buy guns.

Criminals in the US aquirre guns that have passed through the legal supply chain to begin with, so tightening the laws would restrict criminal access to guns.

As to the effect of that, handguns are tools for killing people. Armies equip their soldiers with guns, not window frames or knives.

Quote
Ok nashwan... the site I showed was for the UN. it is laughable that the UN is right on everything else but this


You think the UN is right on everything? I'd have put you down as one of those people who thought the UN was wrong on everything.

Personally, I'd rather chose the FBI and Home Office, as they are the people that compile the stats.

Quote
Even so... england is crime ridden by your estimate.. I would rather take the chance of a meteor hitting me like murder rate per capita than to be victimized by crime with no defense...


And I would rather take my chances with petty crime than be victimised by a criminal with a gun.

If I hear my car alarm go off, I can run out of my house without fear I am going to get shot at. If I hear someone trying to force open one of my windows, I can shout "oi" without having to fear they are going to fire a bullet through the window.

I think I can defend myself pretty well against criminals, because we're both armed to the same level. And I know it's easier to defend against an unarmed man than an armed one, and impossible to defend against a gun without some pretty good body armour. Because the man with the gun might shoot first, and your chance of stopping his bullet with your handgun is not good.

Quote
you seem to feel that society will protect you if you dissarm yourselves..


No, I feel that criminals can't attack as well if they are not armed.

Quote
that you will somehow be safer


I'll be safer because I'm not likely to get shot. The statistics bear that out, with the US having a much higher murder rate.

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we here (including our police) know that the only protection we will get in allmost every case is by ourselves or another citizen.


I know the same here. I just know that having a gun is not a magical defence, and that I am safer if neither of has one than if both of us do.

US policemen are armed. It doesn't stop them being murdered at far higher rates than unarmed British policemen.

Strangely, despite the guns, US police cannot "defend" themselves as well as the unarmed British police. And by a large margin. 57 police officers were murdered in the US last year. 1 was murdered in the UK. In 2003 the figures were 52 and 2, in 2002 56 and 2, in 2001 it was 70 and 1, in 2000 51 and 0. The US has about 5 times the population.

If our police officers are better able to defend themselves without guns than yours with guns, then I think I am better able to defend myselft without guns than you with guns.

Quote
I figured if I made some general statements Nashwan would chime in. I never dispute his figures. His sources at times, but never the figures.


The sources are the FBI, the US department of justice and the British Home Office. ie the relevant government bodies that compile the statistics.

Quote
thanks wide.... but... did anyone believe the assertions by beet and nashwan that the government was "over reported" in order to... to what? make themselves look like they were doing a bad job? Yeah... that's what governments do...


No. Left wing, authoritarian goverments want to know everything because it's only by knowing everything they can control everything. They can't stand the idea that a pub fight can be dealt with by the participants without the law intervening. The whole point of politicians, and it applies even more to those who believe in big government, is that people are incapable of dealing with things themselves, and government needs to deal with it for them.

From "National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS): an analysis of the impact on recorded crime" explaining the changed crime recording standards:

Quote
Statistics have become increasingly important to all areas of public policy. They both serve to highlight and describe the
nature of social problems and also to monitor and inform the policies and practices designed to remedy them.


You only have to live under the rapidly expanding Blair government to understand it seeks to control everything. They have introduced hundreds of new crime definitions and forced the police to record the most petty incidents that went unreported years ago.

There has another benefit as far as government and the press are concerned. It enables them to frighten people more, which sells newspapers and allows the government to increase laws and control. And if you think that only happens in the UK, look at the feaar being engendered in the US by terrorism (which has, after all, killed as many people in the US in the last 4 years as US criminals kill every 3 months). That's resulted in the patriot act, detention without trial, and a huge increase in government monitoring of the public.

That, sadly, is the nature of government.
« Last Edit: November 13, 2005, 04:21:02 PM by Nashwan »

Offline lazs2

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« Reply #84 on: November 13, 2005, 05:33:13 PM »
nashwan.. the data as you say is there..  they do have exceptions... While it is sensible to make breaking and entering and then theft one offense for reporting they give an example of a one offense where there is a robbery and theft of a car but... they also say that car theft is the exception to be reported as a seperate crime.  as is arson and a few others.. there are lots of exceptions.

even so..  we seem to agree that murder is higher in the states and allmost all other crime is higher in england... it is also extremely unlikely that you will be murdered in either country correct?

Guns not banned in england???  I thionk that what passes for restrictions to ownnership there would be considered by any U.S. gun owner as a ban...Guns have been effectively banned in england.  A citizen has little chance of buying and keeping one in his home or on his person for self defense.  you claim that criminals can't get guns tho now since even citizens can't realisticaly get them...  perhaps... but... what has that accomplished?  is your murder rate higher? lower? the same as it allways was?  Has crime in general gone up or down now that your citizens are effectively disarmed?

you claim that regestration would keep guns out of the hands of criminals as would "safe storage"  What is safe storage to you... the police station?  This of course is only what you feel would happen..  We have 200 million or more firearms floating around.  

Do you feel that we would be better off tho if we simply increased the penalty for firearms crimes?  It would seem that we have less crime when we have more guns here in the hands of citizens... more armed citizens and a corresponding drop in crime... all crime is dropping here including homicides... how do you reconcile that?  

Conversely...What would happen with the 1.5-3 million crimes that are prevented with firearms today (also an FBI stat)... would not an unarmed Amercia be at the mercy of those thugs who were previously stopped by armed citizens... wouldn't we slip into even more crime than crime ridden england?  

the UN.. yep.. I don't trust em... do you think they did a poor job in compiling the stats?  probly.   They did get it right tho that england is much more crime ridden.

and... you claim that you would rather not defend yourself on the one or two in 100,000 chance that...you might get shot... you would give up your rights and live at the mercy of the strong on such a minor insignificant chance?  this is laughable... your chances of being a crime victim of the tough and strong is on the order of 30% in your life and yet... of being murdered with a gun.... like being hit with a meteorite... insignificant.  you gave up your chance to defend yourself or others for nothing..

our police... again...50-60 police shot?  in a country of allmost 300 million... statistically insignificant... more police died from indigestion or chokeing on food or slipping in their tubs at home...  

And... how do the police (not political police chiefs) feel about it?   The rank and file cop overwhelmingly supports the right of the citizens to keep and bear arms.

To sum it up... U.S. citizens do not worry about that 3 in 100,000 chance that they may be murdered... they do worry that they will be tyranized by someone stronger than them..In fact... if there is any chance I might be murdered.. I want to have a gun.

1.5 to 3 million of our citizens a year think you are full of it and exercised their right to defend themselves or others with firearm last year... they will do it again next year if they have to..  you feel that it is better to live on your knees than... than what?  you have not proved that you are any less likely to be murdered in england no matter what the gun laws... You do know that the most effective tool for defense has been taken from you tho.  you can only submit and hope for the best..

we aren't built like that.

lazs

Offline lazs2

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« Reply #85 on: November 13, 2005, 08:16:20 PM »
conversly...  you haven't brought your homicide rate down due to disarming the victims and your crime rate is rising..  We are arming more citizens every year and both our crime rate and homicide rate are falling..

but.... so that you won't be toooo frieghtened by the guns in our hands when you come here....  

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/homicide/race.htm

Blacks commit over 50% (52%)of our homicides which would bring it very close to what you have over their...  and.... since allmost all homicides stay withing racial boundries... 94% of blacks murders are by blacks and 86% of white are white on white(whites commit 46% of homicides)...

If you just stay away from the colored folk... you should have about as little chance of being murdered here as you do in limeyland... and.... you will stand far less chance of being a victim of a crime.

seriously man... you are on your knees for nothing... you are probly gonna make things worse every year..... much worse...

lazs

Offline StarOfAfrica2

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« Reply #86 on: November 13, 2005, 08:21:46 PM »
I would simply like to comment on 2 points in Nashwan's post.  Just as an opposing point of view.

Quote
The tightening of the law has accomplished little, the previous laws were already adequate. The tightening may make spree killings harder, but not by much.

The already tight laws were very effective at preventing legally aquirred guns entering the criminal market, due to licencing (which means anyone with a serious criminal record could not legally buy a gun (and those with criminal intent tend to shy away from applying for licences and dealing with the police), registration (which meant legally aquirred guns could not be sold on to the criminal market) and safe storage (which meant criminals could not easily steal guns).


quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 What do you think it would accomplish here?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Depends what you mean by "banning guns".

Registration would prevent legally aquirred guns being sold to criminals, licencing would deter criminals from buying guns legally, safe storage would make it harder for criminals to buy guns.

Criminals in the US aquirre guns that have passed through the legal supply chain to begin with, so tightening the laws would restrict criminal access to guns.

As to the effect of that, handguns are tools for killing people. Armies equip their soldiers with guns, not window frames or knives.


All states in the US require a federal level background check before purchase (unless buying from an individual), and our laws already in place are quite adequate for charging and prosecuting those with a criminal record who apply to purchase a firearm.  MANY states also require registration of firearms purchased, and require that if you sell a one you register that fact.  Firearms shipped in between states require they pass through the hands (and record books) of Federal Firearm License holders (FFLs) before being passed on to their purchaser.  In essence, unless you live in a state where you can buy a firearm from an individual without the purchaser having to register it or the seller having to register the fact (and a few still exist, thank God), it is VERY difficult for a criminal or those with criminal records to buy a firearm legally.  Impossible?  No.  But highly unlikely.  Besides, even in those states that do not require registration of firearms bought from individuals, the guns are registered to SOMEONE.  There is a trail.  If the firearm is used in a crime, it will trace back to the last owner that registered it, and they can provide information on who it was sold to, etc.  Common sense says you at least keep a bill of sale, even if it's handwritten.  Therefore, the ONLY firearms it is safe for criminals to use in the commission of a crime are those that have been stolen, and sold illegally with no records.  Period.  I tried to find the stats for you on the number of legally registered firearms used to commit crimes in the US, but couldnt find any.  I'll dig harder, I remember the figures being used in a debate not long ago.  I believe it was something like .8% of all firearm related crimes were committed with legally registered units.  The other 99.2% of those crimes used illegal firearms.  



Second issue.

Quote
US policemen are armed. It doesn't stop them being murdered at far higher rates than unarmed British policemen.

Strangely, despite the guns, US police cannot "defend" themselves as well as the unarmed British police. And by a large margin. 57 police officers were murdered in the US last year. 1 was murdered in the UK. In 2003 the figures were 52 and 2, in 2002 56 and 2, in 2001 it was 70 and 1, in 2000 51 and 0. The US has about 5 times the population.

If our police officers are better able to defend themselves without guns than yours with guns, then I think I am better able to defend myselft without guns than you with guns.


Despite what you may think of the average US citizen, we dont all own firearms privately.  Even people who are required to carry one every day in the course of their work, like police, armed security, etc. oftentimes do not own any firearms but the ones they use at work.  Also, unlike sportsmen or competitors, they do not shoot on a regular basis.  Therefore they are not nearly as familiar with the firearms they carry as they should be.  It's a sad fact that many police in many cities couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with a gun if they were standing inside the barn and threw the gun at the wall.  Ok, exaggeration.  They are good enough with it to "qualify" at the range.  Which despite Hollywood's assertations, is not very difficult.  So you have people who arent very good shots, probably have never been in a situation where they have to actually use a gun, who are up against desperate individuals armed with illegal weapons that cant be tied to them if they can dispose of it and get away, and are willing to kill to avoid capture.  I have the utmost respect for most police officers.  Most of them chose their profession out of a desire to help others.  Not to be involved in shootouts.  But our police are armed because there will always be armed criminals.  Our citizens are armed for the same reasons.  

If this were a perfect world, and violence were not a part of the basic human makeup, and criminals were never armed with guns, then I might not care if only the police and soldiers had guns.  But thats not the case.  Look around you.  Every country, every continent is recording rising numbers of violent incidents.  Our world is changing.  In some ways for the better, in some ways for the worse.  But change it will.  Throughout history, one thing has remained constant.  The only way to remain free from the threat of violence is to be ready to meet it on its own terms, anytime and anyplace.  To fight fire with fire.  Show me one country today that has survived by refusing to do so.

I, like Lazs, consider it my duty as a conscientious citizen, to be prepared for any eventuality.  To be ready to be part of the militia, in the truest sense of the word.  It happened in New Orleans, where good, decent people came out of the muck and the wreckage of their homes, and they banded together to defend themselves from roving bands of looters and murderers.  Becuse sometimes, even in this modern age, everything can fail you.  No police.  No firemen.  No ambulances.  No soldiers.  Its just you.  Every scrap of food, every bottle or source of fresh water becomes precious and worth killing for.  The rule of law that keeps those who live on the edge of lawfullness is gone, and they can (and will) do as they please.  You might consider yourself well able to deal with an unarmed assailant.  What about a pack of them?  A pack armed with 2x4's, baseball bats, kitchen knives, whatever they can get their hands on.  They want your wife, they want your food, anything you have they can eat or trade for somethign to eat.  Would you still be glad you didnt have a gun?  I dont just keep guns because I enjoy shooting sports.  I keep guns because they are the ultimate equalizer, and because it is my duty as an American citizen to be prepared to defend my life and my home, and those of my neighbors.

Offline B17Skull12

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« Reply #87 on: November 14, 2005, 12:28:19 AM »
i am never going to step foot in san fransico.
II/JG3 DGS II

Offline lazs2

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« Reply #88 on: November 14, 2005, 08:46:02 AM »
star... well said... did you also know that police commit suicide at a rate 8 times their homicide rate?   I have shot with police and sadly, you are correct.. most don't really like guns... or anything mechanical for that matter...  

My theory is....the likeing of guns and things mechanical fosters a kind of individuality that is not condusive to being a police officer...  I think in the past that was not true at all...  It is not entirely true now but... it is getting worse.   I would not expect modern police officers to be able to make decisions as an individual.

also..  nashwan is incorrect on the purpose of firearms in the military and in the public... they are not to kill but to stop.  Kill is fine (it is a stop) but stop works better (in the military, wounded are more trouble than dead)... what use stabbing someone if they still beat you to death before they die 3 days later?

interestingly... allmost 80% of all people shot with a handgun survive but... about 80% or better of em are stopped (cease hostility) instantly by one shot from a handgun.  

This makes it pretty good for the old and infirm who would wish to not be the victim of someone who is much younger, bigger and stronger and wishing to do them harm.

star... you are also correct that systems break down..  in big ways and little ones... a hurricane or riot with thousands of looters is spectacular but... a camping trip with a couple of drunk thugs in the area is just as spectacular and out of control to the intended victims..  What "law" or "system" could nashwan name to help such people?  

handguns are allmost the perfect tool to use against the lawless... and.. even less of the lawless use guns in crimes with new tougher penalties...  less criminals confront citizens since more citizens have become armed... I can see no reason why we would go to nashwans antique island mentality here.  It makes no sense in a country as big and diverse as this.

lazs

Offline beet1e

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« Reply #89 on: November 14, 2005, 10:00:28 AM »
StarofAfrica -

Two words: Fool's Paradise. That's what you're living in if you think that by keeping guns, your society as a whole will be safer.

What I find funny about the pro-gun argument is that the guys making it always assume that it will be the good guy who wins, should he face a situation which calls for an armed response. As Nashwan has quite correctly pointed out, this is not the case. Armed v. Armed results in far more good guy deaths than Unarmed v. Unarmed - you only have to look at the fatalities amongst the UK and US police forces (as Nashwan has quoted) for the proof.

But let's take it a step further. Africa asks how would an unarmed society cope with an assortment of roving thugs? We only have to look back to the very recent past, and the problems in France. Riots took place in dozens of cities all over the country, and yet - I read of only one death in these disturbances - that of a 61 year old man who had gone outside to try to stop a fire from being set. I  even read reports about the police being "shot at" - and yet none was killed. Why? Because the perpetrators of this violence did not have access to more lethal weapons perhaps? Now compare that to the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles in 1992. These took place in a much smaller area and in one city alone! And yet there were many shootings and ~40 people were killed. - I rest my case.

Now let's look at other societies where guns can be owned legally. In South Africa, the white middle classes typically live in apartments or houses built in a compound surrounded by an 8ft wall. There will be electric gates to get in and out of the compound, and there has to be an armed guard. It's not safe to be on the streets. Is that freedom? Is that what South Africans want? The answer lies in the fact that thousands of them are giving up their gun rights and migrating to Britain to seek refuge. Not many go the other way.

And in Zimbabwe - the white farmers have been run off their properties in Robert Mugabe's land grab. Many of them were armed. It wouldn't have made a ha'peth of difference against a Mugabe land grab possé...

SoA - I would be very interested to see links to any incidents of civil unrest in unarmed societies loosely equivalent to post-Katrina New Orleans, where the outcome would have been better had the country in which it took place had been an armed society.