Your friend sounds like he lives in a great place to own a business then Beetle.
J_A_B, Its not fear of firearms that concerns us I dont think, as some of the people who are in possession of them. We all have leaky borders. Australia's northern coastline despite millions of dollars invested in Coastal Patrol craft land and air is simply to vast and to daunting a task to patrol effectively with sensible resources.
I agree with almost everything you state. There are no rights and wrongs, or sure thing answers. Its a topical debate and so far a good one. Each Question answered leaves another unanswered provided both sides are willing to listen.
It is no good for one person or a group to support Gun Buy back. It has to be a large political body with support of the people to stand even moderate success. And whilst considered a success in this country, it has its failing also. For us the time was right. I fear that the USA's time in relation to this will be a long time coming if ever at all. As stated its interesting to hear your views on it.
Laz, Thank God all you like. He wont help you staring a barrell down
When was the last time, YOU were involved in some of these statistical surveys? I seem to be represented in almost all of them, yet I can never remember being asked a question for one of them.
The exception being those I see come through the job. Coppers, Police, whatever you call them, at least in this country, hate statistical surveys. When your entire life is swamped by paperwork putting the next crim behind bars or valiently attempting to do so, the last thing you want to see is something from some bonehead Uni Graduate asking you in a 10 page document. Coppers, those that actually do the job and not those who say they are but havent stopped shining a desk chair in 20 years, dont answer the things unless they have to do with paychecks.
This outrageous number of Sheriffs, Deputies, Troopers and so on you quote as having participated in this wonderful survey has me wondering if the whole thing is
a) Bull****
b) Every chair swinging deskjockey and staff member that the various Police departments could muster to scribe a response on direction from above.
Real Police dont have time for that BS.
I dont like stats. I dont trust them and anyone who does to the point you seemingly do, needs their head read.
surveys of felony prisoners in 10 state correctional ins. showed that 56% would not attack a person they believed might be armed.. Now theres a saintly bunch to be asking for decent honest answers eh? LOL. What do you think they are going to say Laz,
"Hell yes, the moment I get out of here im gonna find me the VCR of the first Gun Nut I find and stick it so far up his........"
If they are going to do State Correctional Statistics. Ask them all. Then you might get the response your are looking for. These guys are probably all Prison Farm detainees, on day release with priviliges. Real Crims, would make you swallow your survey and sit on the pencil.
Some hard data on "deterance" in the uk and aus... about 50% of all burglaries are "hot"... the people are home. In the U.S. it is 13% Now... since, as you claim, all people are the same then why would our burglars be more reluctant to enter a home that may be occupied? well.. Agreed about "Hot" Burglary incidents. Definately a growing trend, tho I doubt the issue has anything to do with whether or not the Owners have Firearms or not as the trend is consistant with the population of Druggies in both rural and urban areas.
Most of our Rural areas are still armed to the teeth Laz.
"Hot" Burglaries (Not a term we use here hence the " 's) are in correlation to the supply of drugs in the market. Instead of simply coming in to take property to fence off later, they are after cold hard cash. People feel safe in their homes and leave wallets and handbags all over the shop in the open for all to see and grab. Dealers now swap property directly for drugs and fence it themselves. The Druggies used to have to do it themselves to get cash to buy their stash. "Hot" Burglaries are consistant with the weather, time of day, how many trees are in your front yard, whether the screen door is open, whether they can see you in the backyard gardening or hanging up the washing etc.
"Hot" Burglaries have Nothing to do with Firearms, whether you have them or not.
Dont go into the car thing again. Deja gave me a headache with it. I cannot find any reasonable train of thought to support that analogy in your arguement and would only be repeating what ive already said.