Gun activists.

[bobmac]

Why do sane Americans not just stop buying weapons? Just because we have a right to do or own something, and we might want to do or own that thing - that does make it the right thing to do or own.

Because it makes them more civilised, better to be shot in the head than stabbed or beaten up.
Boomers words, not mine.

Here, everybody has firearms. Most grannies have pistols in their handbags. If things go badly, the worst thing that happens is a humane bullet in the brain.
That's one of the very few ways that we're more civilized than you. That and cooking.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

Because it makes them more civilised, better to be shot in the head than stabbed or beaten up.
Boomers words, not mine.

Civilised?...they can’t even use knives and forks properly, they eat like children

 

[patricks148]

Nobody is required to own firearms in America.
Our firearms laws can become much more sensible without being in non-compliance with our Constitution.

For example, WWI Thompson sub-machine guns were popular with American gangsters in the 1920s.
Private ownership of machine guns was abolished by statute and that passed constitutional muster.
Unautherized possession of one of those brings LIFE imprisonment.

Municipalities by local ordinance can ban carrying handguns within the city without a hard-to-get license and that passes constitutional muster.
People with a license must have a very good reason to have it, and their weapons are registered with samples of the rifling marks on fired bullets and the firing pin mark on the spent cartridge on file. If you legally have a handgun in Boston or New York, for example, and you use it in a crime, you're cooked. Target pistol owners can bring their weapons back and forth from their homes to the ranges in a carrying case but cannot wear them concealed.

We had a ban against assault rifles which passed constitutional muster but which has been inexplicably reversed; that must be re-instated.

We have far too many non-sporting arms that can be removed from the population without offending constitutional provisions as long as the owners are remunerated upon surrendering them. This must be done, but our Trumpanzees are preventing it.

None of the recent horrific mass murders were committed with deer rifles or shotguns. They were committed with assault weapons that can and should be banned. The Constitution allows it and reasonable people demand it.

this all owning a gun and it beinga right must me a modern thing, 50 years ago i doubt handguns and automatic weapons were available to the man on the street, let alone all owning multiple weapons other than shotguns and rifles for hunting

 

[harpo_72]

Civilised?...they can’t even use knives and forks properly, they eat like children

Harsh ... but yes in some states that is the case !
I think the only way to address the issue is to explain the terminal nature of these weapons knives, guns etc .. we are often led to believe you can recover from an injury from one of these weapons. Well the truth of the matter is, you are very lucky if you do. The human body is robust but these weapons are by design capable of destroying it.

What we don't have is an understanding of terminal .. dead... gone, no conversation tomorrow, total end .. those who cannot grasp that concept or who have and still set out to do it then by all means lump them all in a place and let them live the dream.

 

[Ye Olde Boomer]

this all owning a gun and it beinga right must me a modern thing, 50 years ago i doubt handguns and automatic weapons were available to the man on the street, let alone all owning multiple weapons other than shotguns and rifles for hunting

Absolutely incorrect. I purchased my handguns just about fifty years ago. Civilians in America have owned handguns since the Colonial Era.
Fully automatic weapons have been illegal for decades.
Semi-automatic assault weapons for civilians were banned in the 80s but brought back to legality by the Bush administration early this century.
I strongly disagree with civilian ownership of assault weapons which are inappropriate for sporting use and unnecessary for self- defense.

As for overall private ownership of firearms, it's a constitutionally protected right of any American never convicted of a violent felony.
The United States are not Europe. We're more socially regressive to a fault, have less solidarity among our citizenry, and do fewer things collectively.
In many ways, America is still the Wild West.

 

[Swango1980]

Absolutely incorrect. I purchased my handguns just about fifty years ago. Civilians in America have owned handguns since the Colonial Era.
Fully automatic weapons have been illegal for decades.
Semi-automatic assault weapons for civilians were banned in the 80s but brought back to legality by the Bush administration early this century.
I strongly disagree with civilian ownership of assault weapons which are inappropriate for sporting use and unnecessary for self- defense.

As for overall private ownership of firearms, it's a constitutionally protected right of any American never convicted of a violent felony.
The United States are not Europe. We're more socially regressive to a fault, have less solidarity among our citizenry, and do fewer things collectively.
In many ways, America is still the Wild West.

If you are ever in a position where you need to revolt against the government, fully automatic weapons will probably be your minimum requirement

 

[Ye Olde Boomer]

If you are ever in a position where you need to revolt against the government, fully automatic weapons will probably be your minimum requirement

This isn't 1787 or whatever.
The government has drones that fire missiles.
There's no way to revolt against the government with small arms.
That's what the ballot box is for.
Unfortunately, we have too many people who use it stupidly.
If they continue to do so, the ballot box may disappear in the new Fascist States of America.

 

[Swango1980]

This isn't 1787 or whatever.
The government has drones that fire missiles.
There's no way to revolt against the government with small arms.
That's what the ballot box is for.
Unfortunately, we have too many people who use it stupidly.
If they continue to do so, the ballot box may disappear in the new Fascist States of America.

That was my point. Either permit civilians heavy weaponry, including things like missile launchers, or just ban guns completely as they'd be bleeding useless. If the argument that guns are necessary for self defence, I wonder how the victims and families of victims feel about that over the last decade:

2010's
Number of Mass Shootings = 120
Dead = 762
Injured = 1205

Of course, that's just mass shootings (which comprise only 2% of gun deaths). Apparently the use of guns causes more than 110,000 deaths and injuries in the USA each year. To put that in perspective, over an 80 year life expectancy, nearly 3 out of every 100 people will be killed or injured by a gun. But of course, keep your guns and continue defending yourselves as successfully as you are.

 

[USER1999]

Apparently the use of guns causes more than 110,000 deaths and injuries in the USA each year. To put that in perspective, over an 80 year life expectancy, nearly 3 out of every 100 people will be killed or injured by a gun. But of course, keep your guns and continue defending yourselves as successfully as you are.

Think how bad it would be without guns.

 

[Robster59]

I think we ought to give YOB a break. I think it's clear from reading his messages he's not a fan of the gun laws or the way they are implemented or interpreted. He's just trying to point out the real issue of trying to get the change the constitution is next to impossible as it's so entrenched in the American way of life.
In Europe it's different to the USA. For me not having guns is a definite plus. Many Americans don't see it that way.

 

[CliveW]

Just to point out, we don't have a gun ban here in the UK. Our gun laws are strictly administered and policed by the authorities, however there are a large number of illegally held guns in the UK which tend to be the ones used in violent crime. Those of us who do have them, have to go through a rigorous process to own and use them by showing where and for what purpose we need them. We are restricted by the amount of ammunition we can keep depending on the circumstance of use, and the conditions of where they are kept is also strictly controlled. Hand guns were banned following the Dunblane Massacre which led to many target shooters to give up their guns or have to travel abroad to continue their sport. This included the Commonwealth teams. Finally, guns don't kill/maim, it is the people pointing them that do and controlling them is the best way to prevent that happening.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I'm wondering how many gun owners in the US have actually had to fire a gun in self defence...

 

[Swango1980]

Just to point out, we don't have a gun ban here in the UK. Our gun laws are strictly administered and policed by the authorities, however there are a large number of illegally held guns in the UK which tend to be the ones used in violent crime. Those of us who do have them, have to go through a rigorous process to own and use them by showing where and for what purpose we need them. We are restricted by the amount of ammunition we can keep depending on the circumstance of use, and the conditions of where they are kept is also strictly controlled. Hand guns were banned following the Dunblane Massacre which led to many target shooters to give up their guns or have to travel abroad to continue their sport. This included the Commonwealth teams. Finally, guns don't kill/maim, it is the people pointing them that do and controlling them is the best way to prevent that happening.

Nuclear weapons don't kill or maim either, it is the people using them. So maybe it is unfair to stop countries having them!?

 

[Old Skier]

That was my point. Either permit civilians heavy weaponry, including things like missile launchers, or just ban guns completely as they'd be bleeding useless. If the argument that guns are necessary for self defence, I wonder how the victims and families of victims feel about that over the last decade:

2010's
Number of Mass Shootings = 120
Dead = 762
Injured = 1205

Of course, that's just mass shootings (which comprise only 2% of gun deaths). Apparently the use of guns causes more than 110,000 deaths and injuries in the USA each year. To put that in perspective, over an 80 year life expectancy, nearly 3 out of every 100 people will be killed or injured by a gun. But of course, keep your guns and continue defending yourselves as successfully as you are.

Live by the gun - die by the gun, simple. It's no wonder the police in the states shoot first and ask questions second, they have no idea if the idiot has a gun or not.

No reasonably sensible country needs it civilians walking around like Jesse James.

 

[Fade and Die]

Absolutely incorrect. I purchased my handguns just about fifty years ago. Civilians in America have owned handguns since the Colonial Era.
Fully automatic weapons have been illegal for decades.
Semi-automatic assault weapons for civilians were banned in the 80s but brought back to legality by the Bush administration early this century.
I strongly disagree with civilian ownership of assault weapons which are inappropriate for sporting use and unnecessary for self- defense.

As for overall private ownership of firearms, it's a constitutionally protected right of any American never convicted of a violent felony.
The United States are not Europe. We're more socially regressive to a fault, have less solidarity among our citizenry, and do fewer things collectively.
In many ways, America is still the Wild West.

Fair play to you YOB for giving us a pretty balanced view from stateside... The bit I have highlighted in your post is so bloody obvious its inconceivable to us that anyone could have a different view...but many of your fellow countrymen do, and we this side of the pond struggle with that.

Re food, had a great meal in the revolving restaurant at the Stratosphere, but had a few duff ones elsewhere, but I’ve found that everywhere, I’ve lost count of the amount of poor food I’ve eaten in France and Italy over the last 20 years. Both cuisines are massively overrated.

 

[patricks148]

time for a a lighter note

 

[Britishshooting]

I just think more checks, control of straw buyers etc. would resolve a lot of issues with youngsters at least coming up. Unfortunately too many crazies have access to guns already who wouldn't comply with tighter gun laws anyway and America has a gun epidemic whereas we have a knife issue. Unstable individuals would still find a way to access a gun and commit their crimes.

After all the UK's most used firearm in crime is the handgun. This can not be legally owned by people like me even though (I own a section 1 semi auto shotgun that holds 8 12 gauge cartridges and fires them off in less than 2 seconds. I can even run slugs through this which would blow a hole in almost anything. I own several .22lr semi automatic rifles effective under 100mm and high calibre rifles that shoot over 800m in range with high precision. (I live in the UK, yet can't own a handgun). I've never felt unsafe when at a PSG range for instance surrounded by people with rifles/shotguns and long barrel pistols. I feel much more vulnerable in some of the slums London has to offer put it that way.

Criminals/crazies/idiots will find a way, it just so happens in the UK the easiest way is via knifes whereas America is via guns. It's a cultural thing also. At least in the UK it's controlled a lot more and access is limited to those with a suitable background and valid reason to own such guns. Unfortunately it's a little too late in America and to a degree I do honestly feel that individuals that are open carrying etc. are possibly a big deterrent to cowards looking to shoot somewhere up.

 

[IanM]

Goldie Lookin Chain... good lads from the 'Port.... one of their dads is a member at our golf club... their stuff is very funny, but lots of Newport references that you might miss.

.

 

[Britishshooting]

Fair play to you YOB for giving us a pretty balanced view from stateside... The bit I have highlighted in your post is so bloody obvious its inconceivable to us that anyone could have a different view...but many of your fellow countrymen do, and we this side of the pond struggle with that.

Re food, had a great meal in the revolving restaurant at the Stratosphere, but had a few duff ones elsewhere, but I’ve found that everywhere, I’ve lost count of the amount of poor food I’ve eaten in France and Italy over the last 20 years. Both cuisines are massively overrated.

We have access to some crazy guns over here, just more hoops to jump through and tighter security restrictions to stop them falling into the wrong hands.

 

[Kellfire]

I just think more checks, control of straw buyers etc. would resolve a lot of issues with youngsters at least coming up. Unfortunately too many crazies have access to guns already who wouldn't comply with tighter gun laws anyway and America has a gun epidemic whereas we have a knife issue. Unstable individuals would still find a way to access a gun and commit their crimes.

After all the UK's most used firearm in crime is the handgun. This can not be legally owned by people like me even though (I own a section 1 semi auto shotgun that holds 8 12 gauge cartridges and fires them off in less than 2 seconds. I can even run slugs through this which would blow a hole in almost anything. I own several .22lr semi automatic rifles effective under 100mm and high calibre rifles that shoot over 800m in range with high precision. (I live in the UK, yet can't own a handgun). I've never felt unsafe when at a PSG range for instance surrounded by people with rifles/shotguns and long barrel pistols. I feel much more vulnerable in some of the slums London has to offer put it that way.

Criminals/crazies/idiots will find a way, it just so happens in the UK the easiest way is via knifes whereas America is via guns. It's a cultural thing also. At least in the UK it's controlled a lot more and access is limited to those with a suitable background and valid reason to own such guns. Unfortunately it's a little too late in America and to a degree I do honestly feel that individuals that are open carrying etc. are possibly a big deterrent to cowards looking to shoot somewhere up.

And then there’s evidence which shows that countries that legalise gun ownership liberally have much worse issues.

Evidence > hunches.