Steve_Roamer Wrote:
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> I have read this thread with interest. Mitch is
> clearly never going to agree with the idea of
> banning semi-automatic weapons from the general
> public but I thought I'd add couple of
> observations from other countries.
>
> New Zealand (my current domicile) openly sells
> guns. It freaked me out to see a major gun store
> next to a toy shop and opposite a pet store and
> still does to an extent. However, buying a gun is
> not easy. To get a license you have to have
> background checks which consider criminal, mental,
> medical, addiction and domestic violence and
> interviews are conducted with an applicant's
> spouse, partner, or next of kin before issuing a
> gun licence. Ownership for self-defence is
> strictly prohibited. Guns are allowed for hunting
> and little else really.
>
> In Denmark (my previous domicile) applicants for a
> gun owner’s licence have to prove genuine reason
> to possess a firearm, for example, hunting, target
> shooting, collection; and pass background checks
> which consider criminal and mental records.
>
> In the Uk (my birthplace) background checks are
> also required, as is a genuine reason and third
> party references. Handguns and semiautomatic
> weapons are prohibited for common use.
>
> This site was useful to get details on gun
> regulations: www.gunpolicy.org.
>
> Someone intent enough on getting an illegal weapon
> will most likely be able to get one, just as
> someone intent on killing a large number of people
> with a bomb will. I just don't think making it
> easy to get one exactly helps matters, and I think
> that is borne out by the frequency of shootings in
> schools reported globally:
> www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0777958.html. The US lead
> the world in this sad statistic.
>
> I'm not a US citizen and don't really understand
> the deep-seated compulsion on many towards their
> right to own a gun. I don't feel relaxed around
> any kind of firearm. However, even accepting this
> as a right, I still don't understand why anyone
> outside the armed or justice forces should have
> access to a firearm capable of firing 30 shots in
> 30 seconds. If they were not available, perhaps a
> few more of the children tragically killed at
> Sandy Hook and all the other schools where
> shootings had been seen would be alive now.
>
> My thoughts to all those affected in this terrible
> tragedy.

Well thought out Steve. Curious though, have you ever been trained in firearms? there is ZERO to be nervous about. A gun, even a loaded one, is an inanimate object. It can't hurt anyone unless the trigger is pulled and aimed in an unsafe direction.

My wife and I sleep 100x better at night knowing we each have our 9mm loaded with 20 rounds each in the nightstand, a loaded 12 guage in our safe room, and an AR-15 w/ 30 rounds in a safe, convenient location.

You are at far greater risk every time you get in your car than keeping a gun in your house.