U.S. most heavily armed country in the world

[Shrapnel12]

Originally posted by Agathon


There's nothing wrong with people owning guns, as long as they satisfy the rest of us that they are capable of being responsible owners.

Gun owners in New Zealand are one of the most respected segments of the population. This is because no-one is more focused on gun safety and responsible gun use than New Zealand's licensed firearm owners. If you want a firearms license in New Zealand, you will have to take approved courses in gun safety. These courses are, more often than not, run by senior members of gun clubs, as part of their love for guns and their desire to see them used responsibly. When I was a kid, I had many opportunities to fire rifles and pistols. I always did so under the supervision of a licensed owner, so my parents were cool with it.

The NRA are dumb. They don't understand that if they accepted proper firearms licensing, and took some responsibility for helping the state enforce responsible ownership, that they would become a greatly respected institution, and the public would largely leave them alone.

I agree the NRA is dumb, but disagree that the public would largely leave them alone. Not the looney left anyway.

Just for the record, I own one gun, a 20 gauge shotgun, though it's kept at my father's house. My father taught me about guns and was very strict about gun safety. I've taken hunting safety courses, and I've been trained on the M-16 in the military. I am pro gun, but am ok with some restrictions, especially not letting criminals (depending on the crime) have them.

[Lorizael]

Aggie and I are the looney left.

[DinoDoc]

He's talking about Sarah Brady and her ilk.

[Shrapnel12]

Aggie's a bit looney, but I haven't seen much looniness out of you yet Lori, other then being a UN supporter.

[Lorizael]

heh.

[MichaeltheGreat]

Re: U.S. most heavily armed country in the world

Originally posted by DinoDoc

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070828/...ld_firearms_dc;_ylt=Apkctn_2up_DtSp8Z9IV5Kus0NUE

I must say that I'm suprised at how badly we kicked Finland's and Iraq's asses in that regard.

Not really surprising, since the basic stat is misleading. The US has a lot of recreational gun nuts and serious collectors, who have a lot of firearms, but never intend most of them to be available for significant use.

I used to work with a guy who has around 300 pieces, including things like a revolutionary war redcoat-issued "Brown Bess" musket and all sorts of obscure stuff up through WW1. His collection was worth a couple million. Other than a .45 or two and a shotgun for self-defense, not one of those weapons would ever be fired. They were locked in gun safes in a climate controlled room.

That's pretty hard-core, but I've known several other collectors/hunters/general gun-nuts who've had a dozen or more pieces. It's not like they're planning on having a mad minute in the direction of their annoying neighbor's house any time soon.

[MichaeltheGreat]

Originally posted by East Street Trader
Does anyone who posts here own a handgun?

I would be interested to know what they use it for and why they have it?

Yep. Sig-Sauer P229 semiauto with a custom (apparently no-longer made) laser sight integrated into the slide.

Very occasional range practice to maintain proficiency and kept for potential self-defense or defense of others if circumstances require.

I have never used that piece in self-defense, but 18 years ago, just a little before the so-called assault weapon ban in California, I had a civilian semi-auto version of the M4A1 carbine which I did use to deter a would-be burglar. I still have the crow-bar the burglar left behind when he looked up (the joys of partial glass doors) and saw what I was pointing right at his head.

Said burglar wasn't hurt by me, but I imagine the force of his collision with my back fence ruined his night.

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Shrapnel12
Aggie's a bit looney, but I haven't seen much looniness out of you yet Lori, other then being a UN supporter.

You just marked yourself as the loony.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by East Street Trader


Am I right to think that a toy one would not be fun?

Very right, not since I was around 10 years old anyway.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by MichaeltheGreat


Yep. Sig-Sauer P229 semiauto with a custom (apparently no-longer made) laser sight integrated into the slide.

Very occasional range practice to maintain proficiency and kept for potential self-defense or defense of others if circumstances require.

I have never used that piece in self-defense, but 18 years ago, just a little before the so-called assault weapon ban in California, I had a civilian semi-auto version of the M4A1 carbine which I did use to deter a would-be burglar. I still have the crow-bar the burglar left behind when he looked up (the joys of partial glass doors) and saw what I was pointing right at his head.

Said burglar wasn't hurt by me, but I imagine the force of his collision with my back fence ruined his night.

In other words . . . .

[Agathon]

Originally posted by MichaeltheGreat


Yep. Sig-Sauer P229 semiauto with a custom (apparently no-longer made) laser sight integrated into the slide.

Very occasional range practice to maintain proficiency and kept for potential self-defense or defense of others if circumstances require.

I have never used that piece in self-defense, but 18 years ago, just a little before the so-called assault weapon ban in California, I had a civilian semi-auto version of the M4A1 carbine which I did use to deter a would-be burglar. I still have the crow-bar the burglar left behind when he looked up (the joys of partial glass doors) and saw what I was pointing right at his head.

Said burglar wasn't hurt by me, but I imagine the force of his collision with my back fence ruined his night.

Was Macho Man by the Village People playing in the background?

[East Street Trader]

During my stint as a governor of a nearby primary school (kids up to 11) I served on an appeal committee considering the headmaster's decision to expel a boy found carrying a knife at school.

The boy's explanation was that he was bullied and needed the knife to deter the bullies.

We were rather lenient and I have subsequently noticed a whole sequence of cases in the UK of serious injuries and deaths caused by young children using (initially) knives and later (amazingly) guns.

Which is the trouble with becoming so suspicious of people that you start arming yourself. Once enough people provide themselves with arms you find yourself in a situation posing worse dangers than your original fears.

The fun proposition I struggle to understand.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Agathon
Was Macho Man by the Village People playing in the background?

MtG's life theme music.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by East Street Trader
The boy's explanation was that he was bullied and needed the knife to deter the bullies.

That's the excuse they all use. Did he tell someone he was being bullied before he pulled a knife?

[SlowwHand]

A new law, nicknamed the "Castle doctrine," eliminates the requirement that someone has to retreat before using deadly force to defend themselves. The law already allows a person to use deadly force to prevent someone from committing a break-in at night.