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Post by baz on Jan 13, 2007 21:03:17 GMT
Would you own one? And why?
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Post by kath on Jan 13, 2007 21:14:41 GMT
Why not? The Americans have 'the right to bear arms.' I think it should be similar here. I would have a gun to defend myself against attackers and wild boar ;D But then again, I'm squeamish of guns lol, but probably in an emergency would use it. Don't know what kind- one of those Beretta pistol thingies probably because that's the only one I remember the name of and they're quite pretty  |
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Post by baz on Jan 14, 2007 1:57:04 GMT
We have a strong anti-gun lobby here who have taken a number of isolated incidents to bring in 'gun control'. All this has done is leave guns in the hands of criminals, failing to effect gun crime. The number of gun crimes have increased since the banning, not gone down.
One line anti gun nuts use is, 'do you want it to be like the USA?!?!'. I say, 'why won't it be like Switzerland?' (where they have some of the most liberal gun laws in Europe.)
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Post by wulfcwen on Jan 14, 2007 12:48:37 GMT
When we visited our friends in America a few years ago now they took us up into the mountains to her parents home. They live in the mountains in Utah. They had guns for protection and I was able to shoot them. I used a Magnum, a rifle and a deranger. Her Father has the right to carry a concealed weapon.
They have to take a course and pass an exam before they are allowed to have a weapon.
My friends daughter was taking a course and would only be allowed to use a gun for hunting when she passed the exam.
She was 14 at the time and is now in her 20's and is capable of using guns if she has to. They have guns in the home that are locked up in a gun safe, they do have one in the home that is there if needed in case someone breaks in.
In America if you shoot someone 'IN' your home who has broken in then you are protecting yourself. If the person is 'OUTSIDE' and about to break in that is different.
Would I have a gun? Maybe, my husband certainly would.
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Post by acrossthepond on May 28, 2008 17:15:55 GMT
We have a saying around these parts concerning efforts by the American antigun lobby trying to revoke our 2d Constitutional Right of gun ownership. It goes something like this, "when guns are outlawed, only the outlaws will have guns."
Across the pond, over here in Texas gun ownership is not just a constitutional priveldge, it's a way of life. Practically everybody has at least one -- including those who are not legally supposed to possess one, e.g convicted felons, mentally deranged, or internat'l visitors.
It's quite common to see some Texans displaying them (usually small calibre rifles and shotguns) on gunracks mounted on the inside backglass portions of pickup trucks (guess that's "lory" where y'all are).
In fact, anybody who can legitimately possess firearms, can carry them on most public street, whether carried in hands (muzzle pointed upwards), on a sling over shoulder, or in an exposed holster strapped on the hip. Loaded or unloaded. However, there places where guns cannot be carried, such as into private businesses which prohibit them, courts of law, government buildings, schools, voting places, and (unless owner has a CHL) in establishments that serve alcoholic beverages.
Persons who carry firearms, particularly handguns (pistols) on their persons, in a concealed place must possess a CHL -- Concealed Handgun License -- issued by the State of Texas, following completion of an extensive 1-4 day course administered by an agent of the State, which includes handling, safety, care, and marksmanship (also known as qualifications). The CHL must be periodically renewed, and permit holders must occasionally take refresher courses to keep up with law changes and re-pass shooting qualification tests). Persons must also submit to psychological and threat-anger testing before the first CHL is granted. And, of course, there's a fee for the license and the coursework preparation to obtaining the CHL.
As pointed out before, gun ownership in Texas is common. Good guys and bad guys may both have guns. What's important here is when the Bad Guy with a gun commits a felony, threatens bodily harm to individuals, attempts to rob ppl or commit other crimes, they seldom ever know who else has a gun too. In a way that's a deterent to the commission of some crimes. But when the Bad Guy or Gal is oblivious to somebody else with a gun who means on protecting themselves, possessions, or others, in Texas the use of deadly force is not only allowable, its protected by law.
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Post by baz on May 29, 2008 21:29:15 GMT
Ah, and who said America was uncivilised?
Our Government have just banned airsoft guns here, yep, they have banned a toy gun.
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Post by acrossthepond on May 29, 2008 21:53:59 GMT
Well, that's terrible, baz. Considering i'll bet many lawbreakers (those committing aggravated crimes) and terrorists living in the UK claiming to be so called peace loving muslims probably have them.
Over here in most places where gun ownership is not restricted by archaic, puritan laws, such as in NewYorkCity, and awaiting our Supreme Court ruling over gunownership within the Washington D.C. jurisdictional area, we tend to call anybody who is unarmed -- a potential victim.
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