Another gun thread

[Dr_Toad]

It might have been addressed before, but just for grins let's have a shot at it this way.

I understand that Britain and Australia have a no-gun policy, but recently both countries have had incidents in which a "lone wolf" has used a firearm in commission of a crime.

I live in a rural area of Texas, and in my immediate area I suspect that at least 80% of my neighbors are armed, if not more. I have a shooting range in my back yard, and I know that some of the folks nearby do too.

Amazingly, no one has died from gunshot in at least two years. Hence the poll.

Edit: I blew the poll questions. I should have added a "both handgun and long gun" response. Also, would a moderator would be kind enough to fix my typo in the last question? Sorry.

 

[cluelusshusbund]

So "you" know how i voated... yes a hand gun... an i dont recall anybody bein killed wit a gun wit-in 10 miles of me an i been here over 40 years.!!!

 

[Dr_Toad]

Thanks, clueless.

I have to correct my OP: I found out just now that there have been two gun deaths nearby, and fairly recently, about three years ago.

It was a murder/suicide by a very old and ill couple who chose to leave together with some dignity .

(Ignoring the mess, of course.)

 

[cluelusshusbund]

It was a murder/suicide by a very old and ill couple who chose to leave together with some dignity .

(Ignoring the mess, of course.)

What a fugged up society wit such litte recourse other than choosin a gun to die on you'r own terms/wit dignity.!!!

 

[sideshowbob]

I blew the poll questions. I should have added a "both handgun and long gun" response

You should also have added "wouldn't have one if they were giving them away for free" and "you couldn't pay me to have one".

 

[sculptor]

I ain't got much use for a handgun.

Dunno 'bout any murders nearby.

 

[DaveC426913]

You should also have added "wouldn't have one if they were giving them away for free" and "you couldn't pay me to have one".

And "If I knew someone who had one, would find it and throw it in the lake."

 

[James R]

Dr_Toad:

I understand that Britain and Australia have a no-gun policy, but recently both countries have had incidents in which a "lone wolf" has used a firearm in commission of a crime.

And so ... ?

Are you trying to argue that a larger concentration of guns in an area somehow means less people killed by guns in that area? Just trying to understand the point of this thread.

 

[Dr_Toad]

Not really. Just trying to get a handle on the differences. Here, almost everyone has weapons legally. Chicago, not so much. I wonder why...

 

[Jeeves]

Here is a difference:
In the country, where I live, most households have at least one rifle and/or shotgun, for hunting, for defending livestock against predators, for killing animals such as woodchucks, that farmers consider pests, and sometimes putting down a sick or injured domestic animal. We used to keep a .22 and every member of my family was a reasonably good marksman. The neighbour who was killed was in the back seat of a friend's car, examining another friend's new hunting rifle and shot himself in the face. He was 34 and he was an fool. Most farmers handle their guns responsibly and teach their children to shoot, but you always get some fools.
In the city, people mostly buy guns either to defend themselves or to commit crimes - in any case, it's to be used against other people. And the kind of weapons available, and the kind of weapons people are interested in, are not about practicality so much as fashion or showing off or intimidating or some other reason. Unless they're diamond couriers or pharmacists, city people who buy guns are mostly fools. That's why they so often leave the loaded pistol where their toddler can find it and kill his sister.

 

[James R]

I understand that Britain and Australia have a no-gun policy...

By the way, that is not true, at least in Australia. It's just that there are sensible restrictions on gun ownership, laws regarding safe storage and handling of guns, the ban on certain guns (e.g. ones whose only purpose is to kill other people), etc.

 

[Dr_Toad]

Thanks.

 

[iceaura]

Are you trying to argue that a larger concentration of guns in an area somehow means less people killed by guns in that area? Just trying to understand the point of this thread.

Although that is statistically true within the US, that fact has been thoroughly established in other threads and is not the argument of the OP. The point appears to be to establish a context, get a handle on the personal experience of the posters here.

Very few people in the US live farther than ten miles from the nearest gun death of the past 75 years - thinly populated rural areas, and/or very young posters, would be the only "yes" responses not based on unfamiliarity.

 

[purethought]

In the United States guns are big business. Weather you are for or against gun ownership it is lucrative for politicians to reap the millions of dollars from gun lobbyists. When an administration leans toward forcing gun restrictions, there is always a spike in gun sales which are good for the gun manufactures. You can't possibly think that both parties receiving these benefits don't know this fact. It's a waste of time discussing the issue. Americans from both camps on the subject will continue to debate the issue while those in power benefit. Its your grand delusion. My advise invest in a good firearm company.

 

[gmilam]

Also in Texas. I don't own a gun, but know many people who do. I learned how to shoot as a boy. 10 mile radius of me includes a large amount of Tarrant County. Of course there have been deaths by gun within that range. Closest one I know of is a motorcycle gang hit at a hamburger joint about 2 miles from my house. That was a few years ago.

 

[timojin]

In the United States guns are big business. Weather you are for or against gun ownership it is lucrative for politicians to reap the millions of dollars from gun lobbyists. When an administration leans toward forcing gun restrictions, there is always a spike in gun sales which are good for the gun manufactures. You can't possibly think that both parties receiving these benefits don't know this fact. It's a waste of time discussing the issue. Americans from both camps on the subject will continue to debate the issue while those in power benefit. Its your grand delusion. My advise invest in a good firearm company.

I don't own a gun , my father did not owe a gun, my sons are born in the USA , they want guns , we live in a small suburb of Chicago, I have not seen a police officer or a police car for several months in my street and that is fine . In the black community they have daily killing , they have guns .
I believe guns for the public should be available if they want according to the constitution. but the gun should be a SINGLE SHOT , THEN YOU HAVE TO RELOAD. Dr. Toad can practice target shooting.

 

[Dr_Toad]

The toad is a very good shot with pistol and rifle, but practice is always necessary.