US Gun Laws

[Felch]

Firearms are rampant in Somalia. I am unable to present statistical evidence showing how tranquil the country is due to the abundance of guns. Anyway, I believe the Somali's have, and still do, use their guns to fight the government.

If it weren't full of damn hajigs, I'd love to live in Somalia. Unfortunately, I've heard that the Muslim coalition that controls most of the country restrict other freedoms, like listening to music.

[Egbert]

Burglars, for the most part, are docile criminals. They generally strike when the home or business is uninhabited.
Home invasion isn't the same. These people are violent, and do it for the violence more than the ransacking.

I heard about "home invasion" from a man who worked in Nigeria (I don't recall which city). He was invaded. Well organised and heavily armed gangs target houses in affluent areas. They come in the night, in force. If you resist they kill you. It was considered a good idea to keep cash in the house just in case the gang came to your home. The rationale behind this was that they may grow angry if you have nothing for them, if they grow angry they may shoot and life is taken cheaply.

A hand gun wielded by some schmuck would not deter these fellows. You would be wanting serious weaponry which you knew how to use (and somebody to back you up) if you wanted to fight them off. But, you are not allowed to have guns. The gangs aren't allowed to have guns, including the guns they use in gunfights with the police.

[SlowwHand]

That's exactly what I, for one, have been saying. Laws don't deter criminals. Locks don't deter criminals. Both are made to keep the basically good person from going astray, and providing the means to the end in punishment. BTW, I have a shotgun that I keep strictly for home defense. I know how to use guns. Even if I'm in a hurry, I'm going to hit someone.

[Felch]

A hand gun wielded by some schmuck would not deter these fellows.

No kidding. Americans aren't schmucks with our guns though. Many people here grow up shooting, and shoot for sport on a regular basis. I was just at the NRA's gun range in Virginia twelve hours ago. There was an hour long wait to get a lane, because so many people shoot so ****ing often.

If a Nigerian gang tried to repeat that strategy in America they would be in for a world of hurt. They would probably kill a bunch of people at first, but before too long attrition would run its ruthless course.

[Egbert]

That's exactly what I, for one, have been saying. Laws don't deter criminals. Locks don't deter criminals. Both are made to keep the basically good person from going astray, and providing the means to the end in punishment. BTW, I have a shotgun that I keep strictly for home defense. I know how to use guns. Even if I'm in a hurry, I'm going to hit someone.

I completely agree that laws and locks don't deter hardened criminals. I do not know how much of a deterent guns are or even if they are much of a deterent. I don't keep a gun but I do understand that you may wish to keep one for home defence (or just for sport).

[Egbert]

No kidding. Americans aren't schmucks with our guns though. Many people here grow up shooting, and shoot for sport on a regular basis. I was just at the NRA's gun range in Virginia twelve hours ago. There was an hour long wait to get a lane, because so many people shoot so ****ing often.

If a Nigerian gang tried to repeat that strategy in America they would be in for a world of hurt. They would probably kill a bunch of people at first, but before too long attrition would run its ruthless course.

I imagine there would be a horde of police and FBI types on their tail straight away. Also, American police have basic stuff such as gas for their cars which can be in rather short supply for the Nigerian police.

[notyoueither]

No kidding. Americans aren't schmucks with our guns though. Many people here grow up shooting, and shoot for sport on a regular basis. I was just at the NRA's gun range in Virginia twelve hours ago. There was an hour long wait to get a lane, because so many people shoot so ****ing often.

If a Nigerian gang tried to repeat that strategy in America they would be in for a world of hurt. They would probably kill a bunch of people at first, but before too long attrition would run its ruthless course.

Congratulations.

You are also more likely to die by gunshot if you live in a home with guns.

Like, duh!

[KrazyHorse]

But I may or may not be LESS likely because he has guns.

Free riding

[notyoueither]

I don't know.

When the gang invades your swank abode they may be more likely to be ultra-violent to you and yours in the initial encounter. Whereas when the gang in my locale invades my home they are more likely to feel secure due to my obvious greater lily-assedness due to paucity of guns and a commenserate shortage of accompanying testosterone.

Result is that you get pistol whipped and your familiy is more harshly treated, while my tormentors are mollified by the instant gratification of the couple hundred bucks I keep on hand and leave after I thank them.

Canada or America. Tomatoe or tomatoe.

[KrazyHorse]

My abode is fairly modest (though in an expensive location). I want to retire before I'm 50...

[notyoueither]

Not an obvious target, he must be hiding something...

[notyoueither]

I'll bet you use the modest exterior to hide the bathing pool full of gold ingots.

[KrazyHorse]

Manhattan's pretty safe. Manhattan below 70th street is perhaps the safest place in the US....

Not counting terror attacks of course. If you count those, it's one of the least safe averaged over the last ten years.

[MikeH]

If you are going arm yourself, you owe it to yourself and your neighbors to not just buy a gun and plunk it a drawer unitl it's "needed". You need to practice the skills, on the range and in the shop, so you can act quickly, effectively, and, yes, safely, if the need arises.

I absolutely agree with this.

[MikeH]

It is hard for me to understand how British people can be so docile when those( muslimes ) are are calling for the overthrow of your government with a religion.
No offence.
Im just trying to show the compair in shock.

There's not that many of them calling for that. We have a million Muslims here, the vast majority of whom are peaceful, law abiding, and cause no more social unrest than your average Church of England member. They also are tending to become quite secular, especially 2nd or 3rd generation immigrants.

In fact, some of the major Muslim groups are the greatest critics of the extremists, because it causes them no end of problems, and they don't agree with the extreme interpretations of the religion. Just as sensible moderate Christians here don't agree with Christian extremists.

Most of us round where I live will have gone to school with, or work with, many Muslims and not had an issue.