Gun laws

[Matchlock]

Celtan,

I have tried to follow this thread as well as any German can who has got used to very strict gun laws.

I my eyes, you made the best point of all considering that very second after the bullet has left the iron. And empathy is something we really seem to have lost in our society. It is exactly as you put it: It's all Me, Me, Me now...

His 'mighty' brain has enabled man to rule over all other beings including his own species, everybody seems to think of himself as kind of a ruler - and that's exactly where the gun comes in. If man doesn't manage to go back to his soul and listen to human feelings such as empathy and respect, and if he does not hand them on to the young generation, he will not inherit the earth, he will destroy it - and himself. Life, after all, should not be about acting against each other but acting together, side by side.

Homo homini lupus ...

Michael

[Pukka Bundook]

Very well put, Celtan and Michael.

I believe respect is the basis for everything, and without it we can go nowhere.
This might be why countries like Switzerland and Finland, with gun-ownership as high as that of the 'States, have very low crime rates.

Clockwork,
I agree with just about every word you have written.
The problem I believe has some roots in parents abdicating their responsability at home, ...they're just not there, and the kids are out getting into all kinds of stuff.
Parents are meant to bring kids up, Not some government program, day-care or anything else.
If we rely on gov't to do Our job, we are on a down-hill slope.

I note that some of you boys here think it is OK to ban certain classes of firearms. I can only state the obvious,... look at the UK, stricktest laws it's ever had, and More crime than ever before. Even knives with blades over 4 inches are in the works now.

Believe it was Abraham Lincoln stated;

"....If we don't hang together, we'll All hang seperately!"....

Richard.

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by Pukka Bundook

look at the UK, stricktest laws it's ever had, and More crime than ever before. Even knives with blades over 4 inches are in the works now.


Richard.

The crime figures are actually a subject of some contention at the moment over here. It really depends on how you read them, but our rates of violent crime OVERALL is roughly steady or declining. Some areas have shown slight increases, and there in lies the contention as some of the rises have been attributed to better detection, recording and increased reporting, while other areas have shown a decrease. Anyway the UKs figures are a whole thread in themselves.

As for strict laws!
In the UK any blade over 3.5cm IS classed as an offensive weapon if carried without specific cause (such as a fisherman carrying a knife whilst actually fishing or travelling to or from that activity) intent does not have to be proved, possesion in public is an offence. While any blade or sharp CAN be classed as an offensive weapon under certain circumstances even if below the 3.5cm threshold if intent can be proved.

Virtually all knives are legal to own in the home. With a few exceptions.
Those are in the main knives with concealed baldes that can be opened with one hand (apart from simple folding penknives with a small catch on the blade which are not specifically designed to be opened with one hand) In other words, completely prohibited knives include: 'switch blades' Spring opening knives, gravity knives, butterfly knives.
The recent addition of any curved bladed, single edged 'sword' where the overall length is 18inches is still undergoing some revisions as the authorities realise just how unenforcable such a vague law is. Although they are still legal to own 'in the home'

Other banned weapons in the UK include:
Electrical stun guns
Self defence gas/CS spray/Mace
Spring opperated telescopic batons (I think)
Air weapons with a muzzle velocity of over 12ft/lbs
Brocock air cartridge system weapons
The list is endless!

[Pukka Bundook]

[QUOTE=Atlantia]The crime figures are actually a subject of some contention at the moment over here. It really depends on how you read them, but our rates of violent crime OVERALL is roughly steady or declining. Some areas have shown slight increases, and there in lies the contention as some of the rises have been attributed to better detection, recording and increased reporting, while other areas have shown a decrease. Anyway the UKs figures are a whole thread in themselves.

Hi Atlantia.

Thanks for bringing me up to date on how things stand in the UK.
I came to Canada in 1984, and have never been back.

I would like to question the crime rate being static or falling.
What I must ask, is;
Compared to when?
Over ten years, maybe so, but compared to the 60's, 70's or even early 80's it is Way out of control.

Where we lived in the industrial north, you could go anywhere safely, not lock your door, and not expect trouble. (In late 50's and 60s)
Now, in the Same area, (around Middlesbrough) It is plain not safe to be out on a night, and as for non-violent crime, the cops don't turn up if a vehicle is stolen, they just tell you to 'phone insurance.
The village of Normanby, close to the farm I grew up on, was a quiet little spot, Now, the cops if chasing a suspect, turn 'round and go home if they get to the town limit. If they follow, they are showered with bricks or whatever.
( we still have relatives over there)
A relative of mine was sitting on a wall outside his house in another village. (Same area)
Some punks came along, asked if he had any dope, ..told them to get lost, and as he got up, one kicked him and broke his nose.
He let the lad go, (did contemplate breaking his leg, as he had a hold of it & is a black belt.)
Went with his dad to see the police.

You know what he was asked by the police??
".....Why didn't you get a stick and smash his face in?" !!

Doesn't this show the level of frustration amongst the police force?

This relative's old man asked, " can we have a sniff around, see if we can find him?"
Police answer; " Yes, but if you get him, let us know, and we won't go looking for anybody"

Eegads! and I used to play and ride mi bike around there!

No respect for anything or anyone.

All I can say is, if half the population was packing heat, some of these punks would think again.

Footnote;
The guy that broke P's nose, later gate-crashed the chief superintendant's daughter's B.day party.
when she wouldn't let him in, he head-butted her and broke Her nose.
I think about that time, he was put on a hit list, or at least a "hurt" list.
They got him.
It was professionals.
Took out his cheek-bones, and mashed both hands.

I grieve for that country.

So again, compared to when is violent crime down?
I would love it to be down, but think that figures are being messed with, so the powers that be do not look so inept.

Best wishes,

Richard.

[David]

Originally Posted by Pukka Bundook

All I can say is, if half the population was packing heat, some of these punks would think again.

Footnote;
The guy that broke P's nose, later gate-crashed the chief superintendant's daughter's B.day party.
when she wouldn't let him in, he head-butted her and broke Her nose.
I think about that time, he was put on a hit list, or at least a "hurt" list.
They got him.
It was professionals.
Took out his cheek-bones, and mashed both hands.

So Richard, this guy sure is a punk. No argument there. What are you suggesting, shooting the bully dead? Wow, long live vigilantism!