only in the US

[AtW]

I strongly believe that it is the people that want to carry guns that are the ones that should never have them.

Some of those who want it surely should not, wouldn't put %-tage on that figure but I think I was a responsible handgun owner.

I certainly would not have pulled a gun if someone attacked my squirrels - I know what's appropriate and what's not, I owned in Russia handgun for many years, it makes one more responsible.

It is extremely rare to be in a situation where a gun is necessary in the UK. I've never been in such a situation.

That is true, however death is a one off thing in each others life, if you don't want to carry firearm that's fine by me, you should not force your views on other though. Gun ownership should be very well controlled and checked, it's not for everyone maybe 5-10% of population can qualify.

[TimberWolf]

That is true, however death is a one off thing in each others life, if you don't want to carry firearm that's fine by me, you should not force your views on other though. Gun ownership should be very well controlled and checked, it's not for everyone maybe 5-10% of population can qualify.

You've not provided evidence to back up your assertion that guns reduce crime, all you've done is say that you want to carry a gun, that it would be useful to you and that you are capable and qualified to carry one. You also avoided the squirrel question. I wish you on your search product/service, but you should never be allowed to own a gun in the UK Alexi.

Anyway on that happy note, don't wait up for a reply tonight, I'm off now until morning.

[AtW]

You've not provided evidence to back up your assertion that guns reduce crime

Handguns were legal in this country but Labour banned them in 1997 - illegal gun crime only went on the up.

You also avoided the squirrel question.

I did not avoid anything.

I don't think UK is going to have proper handgun ownership anytime soon, it does not matter that much to me, if it did I'd probably move to another country.

[Advocate]

If someone could explain to me what the purpose of a handgun is I'd appreciate it.


Once you've worked that out (a hangun is a tool to kill people, unlike for example a shotgun which is simply a tool that CAN be used to kill someone) you realise why the the banning of handguns was to restrict their availability. It now makes it fairly easy to say (in most cases) "if you have a handgun, you are a criminal"

Criminals will always get guns but previously it wasn't a direct correlation, now handgun ownership almost implicitly means you can be prosecuted.

/I got up early and haven't thought this post through.

[Board Game Geek]

Once you've worked that out (a hangun is a tool to kill people, unlike for example a shotgun which is simply a tool that CAN be used to kill someone)
you realise why the the banning of handguns was to restrict their availability. It now makes it fairly easy to say (in most cases) "if you have a handgun, you are a criminal"

By the same logic, a shotgun is a tool to kill people and animals, unlike a fist which is simply a tool than CAN be used to kill someone.

So let's ban shotguns shall we ?

[expat]

My point was that in owning a gun your chances of being shot and killed are higher (quite often by a relative) in the US than if you didn't have a gun.

Or by yourself. Quite so.

[Advocate]

By the same logic, a shotgun is a tool to kill people and animals, unlike a fist which is simply a tool than CAN be used to kill someone.

So let's ban shotguns shall we ?

My point was that a shotgun can be used as a hunting tool or as an offensive weapon. I don't believe handguns have an alternative purpose*... (I'm not a gun expert so am prepared to be proved wrong)


*I'm not including target shooting as an alternative purpose.

[TimberWolf]

So let's ban shotguns shall we ?

Yes.

Their primary purpose appears to be to kill or main animals for fun, so why not make it difficult for these kind of people to carry out their sadistic sport?

[TimberWolf]

Handguns were legal in this country but Labour banned them in 1997 - illegal gun crime only went on the up.

This is news to me.

I did not avoid anything.

[re: squirrel retribution on witnessing squirrel molestation] Quite right, I see you did, my mistake.

I don't think UK is going to have proper handgun ownership anytime soon, it does not matter that much to me, if it did I'd probably move to another country.

Yep, there are still plenty of uncivilised parts of the world that allow someone to deal out personal justice. We don't want that here though, I hope.

[d000hg]

Yes.

Their primary purpose appears to be to kill or main animals for fun, so why not make it difficult for these kind of people to carry out their sadistic sport?

Think shotguns are used for hunting birds, which are very hard to hit with a single gun. Finding one on a farm would hardly be cause for concern.