Well, a few days ago, my friend and I were talking about people owning guns, and street gangs and stuff. I dunno why though, it was just randomly brought up. o.o Anyway, he said that "If more people had guns, there would be less shootings in this country." I don't think thats true. o.o Its really confusing. What do you think? o.o

One thing is for sure, there would be less shootings if nobody had guns.

But I often think about that question.

Maybe it is the type of people who kill but the gun allows them do so easier.

Considering that nobody having guns is not an option in this world, I would rather have a gun.

I live in the UK where I can't get one though.

There is a growing gun culture in the UK. The criminals are now starting to carry and use guns but the honest citizens can't stand up to them.

I suppose whether we would all be safer if everyone was armed, all depends on the people behind the guns.

There may be less shooting however everyone having a gun is a whole lot better than no one having a gun cuz criminals will always find a way to get one. Its like if someone wants to kill you he will think twice if you have a couple of rifles and a gun so your friend is right there would be less shooting IMHO.

[edit on 28-7-2004 by WestPoint23]

Originally posted by Hyperen
One thing is for sure, there would be less shootings if nobody had guns.

But I often think about that question.

Maybe it is the type of people who kill but the gun allows them do so easier.

Considering that nobody having guns is not an option in this world, I would rather have a gun.

I live in the UK where I can't get one though.

There is a growing gun culture in the UK. The criminals are now starting to carry and use guns but the honest citizens can't stand up to them.

I suppose whether we would all be safer if everyone was armed, all depends on the people behind the guns.

technically that aint true.
i thought that too but i was wrong. there is a NRA in britain and your allowed to own a gun and use it for shooting,hell i could of bought sniper rifles at bisley for under £1000. (except im not 18 so i couldnt)

Originally posted by devilwasp
technically that aint true.
i thought that too but i was wrong. there is a NRA in britain and your allowed to own a gun and use it for shooting,hell i could of bought sniper rifles at bisley for under £1000. (except im not 18 so i couldnt)

Are you sure?

I know you can get shotguns but I was under the impression that you need a good reason for one (clay pigeon shooting, farmer...)

Well anyway I can't get one either. I can't even buy a BB gun for a few years at least.

oh oh! U can kill the people who shoot people more frequently. o.o maybe thasts what he meant? I dunno! Its a very weird thingy! Like the one about the tree falling down, does it make a sound? o.o

If your in a room with 10 people, and 1 person has a gun,

Versus...

If your in a room with 10 people and everyone has a gun,

In which room would you feel safer, and why?

Originally posted by Yasuhiko23
oh oh! U can kill the people who shoot people more frequently. o.o maybe thasts what he meant? I dunno! Its a very weird thingy! Like the one about the tree falling down, does it make a sound? o.o

You are right. It is one of those 'wierd' things. I reckon it's just a matter of opinion. It's not likely to happen in the near future anyway.

According to the UN International Study on Firearm Regulation, in 1994 the homicide rate in England (including Wales) was 1.4 (9% involving firearms), and the robbery rate 116, per 100,000 population. In the United States, the homicide rate was almost 9.0 (70% involving firearms), and the robbery rate 234, per 100,000. England has strict gun control laws


The Swiss Federal Police Office reports that, in 1997, there were 87 intentional homicides and 102 attempted homicides in the entire country. Some 91 of these 189 murders and attempts involved firearms (the statistics do not distinguish firearm use in consummated murders from attempts). With its population of seven million (which includes 1.2 million foreigners), Switzerland had a homicide rate of 1.2 per 100,000. There were 2,498 robberies (and attempted robberies), of which 546 involved firearms, giving a robbery rate of 36 per 100,000. Almost half of these criminal acts were committed by non-resident foreigners, which is why one hears reference in casual talk to "criminal tourists."


In a word, Switzerland, which is awash in guns, has substantially lower murder and robbery rates than England, where most guns are banned.

Besides the militia system requiring automatic rifles and/or semiautomatic pistols to be kept in the homes of all males aged 20 to 42, firearms are readily available for purchase in gun shops. Yet firearms are rarely used in violent crime.

Originally posted by BeingWatchedByThem
If your in a room with 10 people, and 1 person has a gun,

Versus...

If your in a room with 10 people and everyone has a gun,

In which room would you feel safer, and why?

Yeah, I see that this thing is like MAD (Nuclear Deterrant)

You don't shoot someone because you know you'll be shot.

Ok, its not a case of everybody having guns that would make it safe, sure theres that repelant not to shoot sombody because you know you'll be shot... but thats what its like in America and they have shootings all the time, its just a case of stopping the wrong people from having firearms, I live in the UK and own a handgun and 2 rifles, the reason I have those is because I've passed at test that says im safe to have a firearm, where I live there has been 1 shooting in the last 5 years. So obviously thats the way to go. Let the right people have firearms, because its only the right people that have the sense to not shoot sombody because they will be either shot or arrested, the wrong people that own firearms are the people that dont have the sense to think that way.

So not all people, just the RIGHT people.

Originally posted by The_Squid
I live in the UK and own a handgun and 2 rifles, the reason I have those is because I've passed at test that says im safe to have a firearm, where I live there has been 1 shooting in the last 5 years. So obviously thats the way to go. Let the right people have firearms, because its only the right people that have the sense to not shoot sombody because they will be either shot or arrested, the wrong people that own firearms are the people that dont have the sense to think that way.

So not all people, just the RIGHT people.

What are the laws in the UK on guns? I thought we had the strictest gun laws in the world.

Is that a real test?

Who decides who the 'right' people are? - I certainly hope it's not anyone from the Blair government

ok Im in one of the British Isles of the UK, we have different gun laws and our own goverment so we're not run by blair (thank GOD) anyway its the police that decide if your safe to own a firearm, once they have decided that you get a certificate to prove you are if anyone questions you. They will however expect a reason for you to want a firearm... but they check your background and everything, ask people who know you what your like... ect...

Originally posted by The_Squid
ok Im in one of the British Isles of the UK, we have different gun laws and our own goverment so we're not run by blair (thank GOD) anyway its the police that decide if your safe to own a firearm, once they have decided that you get a certificate to prove you are if anyone questions you. They will however expect a reason for you to want a firearm... but they check your background and everything, ask people who know you what your like... ect...

Wow, No Bliar, I want to live there.

Is wanting a firearm for defence a good enough reason?

Ahhh but I suppose there isn't as much crime there though since it's not under Blair's control.

lol, there isnt much crime no, but shooting is a good excuse, or hunting... the place is called the "Isle of Man" if you want to live here, we also dont have an absolute speed limit... which the UK does.

Originally posted by The_Squid
lol, there isnt much crime no, but shooting is a good excuse, or hunting... the place is called the "Isle of Man" if you want to live here, we also dont have an absolute speed limit... which the UK does.

Ahhhh. The Isle of Man. Home of the Manx cat. That isn't too far from where I am right now but I'm way too young to move yet.

So anyway theres what I belive you'll find the right answer, Not everyone having guns... just the RIGHT people having guns.

Originally posted by Hyperen


Are you sure?

I know you can get shotguns but I was under the impression that you need a good reason for one (clay pigeon shooting, farmer...)

Well anyway I can't get one either. I can't even buy a BB gun for a few years at least.

oh hell yeah
an old lt that used to come to my unit owns a sniper rifle and one big ass one that kocks grown men back 2 yards .
yeah i got to look at the rifles man they looked sweet no .50's though ,damm, but some other ones. i think they had a .36 thing.
rounds only cost like 8p a bullet.and i aint talking pistol rounds.
how cant u get a BB gun?

Originally posted by devilwasp
how cant u get a BB gun?

Law is you got to be 18 to buy one but I have one anyway as you can own one.

i thought it was 14+ to own and buy a BB gun...