The people who use guns responsibly are going to use them within the confines of the law, as always.
The people who who violate gun laws are going to continue violating gun laws regardless. They already illegally own guns. The government and local police forces already crack down on the people breaking those laws.
I own an antique hunting rifle that I inherited from my grandfather, and have never fired it. I live in Texas where sport shooting and hunting are quite popular, but my family's never been into it and I've only ever fired an air rifle at paper targets.
The problem is that even banning guns isn't going to really solve the problem. It'll cut down on a certain amount of accidental shootings, but the people you really don't want to have access to guns will still have access to them. It's not as if the cops don't already take action to get them off the streets.
manbeartruck's got the right idea, but like I said, it's only ever going to be effective if the police go door-to-door with warrants or if everyone volunteers to turn theirs in, and that's just not going to happen.
Maybe some people are just interested in guns and like collecting them, there are a lot of people who enjoy collecting and shooting guns just for the fun of it and they do it safely, Sure, you have maniacs that go on killing sprees with guns, but most of these guns are illegally obtained, tightening up gun laws would not have much, if any, effect on how hard/easy it is to obtain an illegal firearm.
Also, if people REALLY want to kill people and they can not get a gun they will just use another weapon, perhaps we should also make tight control laws on bats, knives, metal pipes, hammers, pipe benders, crowbars and pipe wrenches.
<start epic wow theme>
A world of limitless adventure. We cast the lords of shadow and flame back into the abyss.
<more epic wow theme>
We held the line against the rising tide of death itself.
<epic music peaks>
We have endured the breaking of the world.Now we face the Destroyer and we will end him.
<cue Bennny Hill music>Pandas! Pokemon!
I own several guns and have only ever used them to hunt with. Can't say I've ever shot a person with them.
On the subject of owning firearms, I believe this calls for a story.
When I was a child, I lived in a village in China's Heilongjiang province. One day, the men gathered and decided to go hunting for several days. So they grabbed their rifles, horses, and other necessary supplies and off they went. However, unfortunately, within a day or so, the village was beset by what I believe were Japanese deserters (this being sometimes late in the Second World War). Of course, they too had guns and easily managed to seize control. After all, what could housewives, old folks, and children really do to stop them?
Whether he did something to provoke them or they were just cruel that way I cannot say, but they took one of the old men left behind by the hunting party and strapped him to a tree. I can't remember what his name was but I certainly haven't forgotten what happened next. They disemboweled him, an injury, if it can be called that, that he did not survive. Thankfully for the rest of us, our missing men, guns and all, arrived shortly afterwards.
After beseeching God to help them and promising not to forget this day if He did, the men rushed in, guns blazing, while we fled into the woods. Those deserters who were not killed in the ensuing firefight fled and never returned. Only a single man from our village was actually injured amidst the shooting but he recovered and lived for many years more. Those Japanese men were not as lucky as some thirty or so fell. Even to this day, all those present, including myself, (as well as some younger folk) commemorate what happened there in early December.
While it certainly can be said that firearms helped those Japanese deserters to take over my village, firearms too helped liberate it. Then again, I suppose that could hardly apply to America. I can't remember the last time I heard about roving bandits in Alaska.
Last edited by mmoc494ea71a08; 2012-04-27 at 08:01 AM.
It's better to have a tank in your backyard and not need it than need it and not have it.
Since when do you need to protect yourself with AK's and fully automatic weapons? A handgun is one thing but a shop around the corner full with automatic weapons that are normally used in war is pretty ridiculous.
That is the thing. If you receive proper training, you should know NEVER to point your weapon at someone unless you are ready to pull the trigger. It escalates the situation. Just like a knife does if the other person only has a knife.
A Gun just generally takes away the size element. Guns are the 'great equalizer', because anyone who can hold their hand up can aim and fire one.
Now, as for the murder rate differences between Denmark and the US, well, I personally think it has a lot more to do with the differences in our Societies than the fact that guns are legal in the US.
The .45 caliber Peacemaker, beautifully crafted firearm, although a bit heavy for my taste in pistols.
To be honest, I've never hunted, don't plan on committing homicide, and yet I love shooting; whether it's stationary targets or clays. It doesn't even have to be a gun, crossbows and compound bows are incredibly fun as well, hell I've even used a 40mm grenade launcher (it was just smoke but still a blast.)
That being said I'm pro gun, I have quite a few myself, hell even my girlfriend goes out to the range with me. She's got a Ruger LCR .357 and I'm getting her a Smith and Wesson M&P 15-22 since she has so much fun firing mine. Ordering her the Pink Platinum for her birthday, I can't wait till she opens it.
Guns should be sold to anyone with a valid Driver's License. Guns are always available illegally so the legally obligated should have the right to defend themselves.
Guns are just a tool, and personally I would rather die to a gun then someone stomping my skull in or stabbing me in the neck with a needle and a canister of compressed CO2.
---------- Post added 2012-04-27 at 09:07 AM ----------
As if people could be evaluated on that kind of an elaborate bases in percentages. There are way too many variables for it to be calculated to a point it could be compared. Considering that the USA has a higher population in single cities than most of Europe has in entire countries. If anything it would have to be a population to population poll.
Grab 100 Americans and 100 others as the control to see what happens.
Yeah, Americans are more violent in general, though. I'm not denying that. I just doubt removing guns would change a whole lot. Comparing two different countries with different cultures and attitudes isn't going to make a point. I guess people of Denmark just don't like killing each other? Good thing, of course. If guns were legal in Denmark, would you think that murder rate would shoot up to be comparable to the US? Probably not. It's the nature of the citizens.
You are the one living in fear, not us.
But knowing about the problems in South Africa i can understand why you are afraid. I live in the Balkans with the ethnic problems, drug mafias, traffic problems and we don't even have a lock on your home door. My parents house has never been robbed.
I live in a city of millions now and i have a thick door and alarm system, but i never felt fear. This is why i don't like guns they offer nothing more than bigger problems.
Yes it's a tool, but the tool is only made to kill/harm other humans beings. Excluding the collectors and the hunters of course. And yes, you can kill with a knife as well. But a knifes primary function is to cut vegetables/fruit/meat. And it's easier to kill with a gun than with a knife.
And yes, there are many unknown factors here, the size of the cities being one of them. But still, 5 times the murder rate and 50 times the amount of murder involving firearms is a lot.
Last edited by mmocf48d514961; 2012-04-27 at 08:12 AM.
Yup. It is also related to standard of living and general contentment and the amount of people jammed into small spaces. Outlawing guns would lower gun deaths by a slight amount, when accidental deaths are removed. I don't think it would do anything to lower the actual murder rate.
Do you know how difficult it is to legally obtain a full automatic weapon in the United States? They are illegal in most states and the ones that you can purchase cost upwards of $15k USD. Already the criminals have a step up on the civilian populace because they have access to these weapons, while I have to go through a 3-6 month background check simply to get a rifle with a barrel shorter than 16".
Do you really think I'm walking the streets with a fully automatic weapon? No, I carry a small 9mm handgun.